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JUNE • 2009 WWW.SPSAVIATION.NET AviationBusiness Jet Ownership SP’s Economics SIVE EXCLU MMRCA Q&A EBACE ’09: Report from Switzerland Paris Air Show ’09: Curtain Raiser ‘ REJUVENATE COMBAT SQUADRONS

DELENG/2008/24199 Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force

RNI NUMBER: PAGE 12 ’ SPS Aviation C27J 210X267:Layout 1 05/02/2009 15.08 Pagina 1

GREAT PERFORMANCES. foto: AERONAUTICA MILITARE - “Troupe Azzurra”.

SMALL “ITEMS”.

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF ELECTRONIC DEFENCE SYSTEMS. ��

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TABLE of CONTENTS News Flies. We Gather Intelligence. Every Month. From India. AviationISSUE 5 • 2009

CIVIL 24 Business Aviation $ense & $urvival

ON RECORD 28 Business Aviation Economics Cessna: Multiply the Benefits 32 Business Aviation Gulfstream : Your Office in the Sky 37 Lockheed Martin F-16IN Experience It, First-Hand

SHOW PREVIEW 34 Paris Air Show ’09 All Eyes on Le Bourget Past and present chiefs of the Indian Air Force pose for the shutterbugs following smooth SHOW REPORT 12 transition of power on May 31 43 EBACE ’09 Bruising Lap Ahead

INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME 17 Elettronica S.p.A. SP’s Exclusive 49 Amy Johnson Swift & Silent SERIES OEM ‘REJUVENATE 23 Commercial Aviation The Boeing Partnership in India COMBAT SQUADRONS’ 50 Leaving on a Jet Plane A few days prior to taking 41 M-346 First Flight Master Formation over the reins of the IAF, CAS REGULAR DEPARTMENTS Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik MILITARY elaborated on the challenges 5 A Word from Editor 19 Aero Engines facing the force and his vision 6 NewsWithViews The Hype & the Hyper on reinforcing its strengths. - RISAT-2: Spy in the Sky 39 MMRCA Q&A • - Pyongyang Picks a Fight Dr Vivek Lall �� 8 InFocus

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�� Vice-President and India �� Usher Pending Actions Country Head, Boeing IDS 9 Forum Stefan Billep Signalling a Hit Sequel Head, Eurofighter Typhoon, India 52 NewsDigest 40 Book Review �

An Icon Unveiled �� 56 LastWord SP's Avn 05 of 09 Cover.indd 8 6/5/09 6:34:57 PM China Unstoppable 41 Equipment Cover Photo: Radar Resonance for Rafale Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik is the 19th 42 Industry Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force. NEXT ISSUE: Magnificent Yak-130 India’s Business Aviation Environment for the Indian Air Force Photo Credit: Indian Air Force

2 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net ��

3_Boeing ad.indd 3 3/16/09 7:37:38 PM TABLE of CONTENTS

PLUS... PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DESIGN & LAYOUT Jayant Baranwal Associate Art Director: Ratan Sonal Graphic Designers: Rajkumar Sharma, ASSISTANT EDITOR Vimlesh Kumar Yadav Arundhati Das SALES & MARKETING Director Sales & Marketing: Neetu Dhulia SENIOR VISITING EDITOR Head Vertical Sales: Rajeev Chugh Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia Sales Manager: Rajiv Ranjan

SENIOR TECHNICAL GROUP EDITORS © SP Guide Publications, 2009 Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 39 Inland: Rs 850 • Foreign: US$ 250 MMRCA Q&A CHIEF SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Email: [email protected] Sangeeta Saxena

LETTER TO EDITOR SUB-EDITOR [email protected] Bipasha Roy [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS FOR ADVERTISING DETAILS, CONTACT: INDIA [email protected] Air Marshal (Retd) P.K. Mehra [email protected] Air Marshal (Retd) N. Menon [email protected] Group Captain (Retd) A.K. Sachdev [email protected] Group Captain (Retd) Joseph Noronha SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD EUROPE A-133 Arjun Nagar, 43 Alan Peaford, Phil Nasskau, (Opposite Defence Colony) EBACE ’09 Rob Coppinger New Delhi 110 003, India.

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4 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net A Word from Editor Two key appointments— one a triumphant return, the other a promise of fresh initiatives—grabbed the headlines. Our best wishes to Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik.

ontinuity—the buzzword at the Centre—gave way bureaucratic resistance to acquisition programmes of the to time-honoured custom for the Indian Air Force armed forces. InFocus and Forum deliberate on the possible (IAF) when on May 31 Vayu Bhawan in Delhi wit- advantages of the continuity factor. nessed the smooth transition of power with Chief Elsewhere, too, urgency and a palpable sense of thera- of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major peutic optimism appeared to be the dominant sentiments. handing over the baton to his successor and Vice Reporting in from the annual European Business Aviation Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal P.V. Naik. The momentous occa- Conference and Exhibition in Geneva, Alan Peaford lays bare Csion came close on the heels of yet another commemorative the unassailable confidence infusing the industry of flying event: induction of the first of three Airborne Warning and through these tough times without suffering any irreparable Control System into the IAF on May 28. A vigilant eye and ear damage—assuming the economy bounces back next year and in the sky, the system’s stint with the IAF is sure to feature sales recover in 2012. Under the circumstances, should busi- extensively in our forthcoming issues. For now, we pipped ness jet owners rush for the nearest exit and divest themselves competition to bring you the forthright views of the new CAS, of their wings while they can? That is just one of the several Air Chief Marshal Naik, who spoke exclusively to SP’s Aviation key concerns plaguing the sector that’s grappling tenaciously barely days before taking over at the IAF helm. “The IAF’s with the economic implications of business jet ownership. plan to rejuvenate depleted combat squadrons has been ad- Moving to the defence sector, a relentless drive has been versely affected due to delay in procurement programmes,” he the development of jet engines. Today, practically all the front- rued. “The procurement process has, unfortunately, not been line fighters of the world use turbofan jet engines. For tomor- able to keep pace with phasing out of aircraft.” row, one concept fast gaining momentum is that of ‘Hyper- Few would dispute his argument. Nevertheless, hopes sonic’ flight. For the latest in this enterprise, and lots more are now riding high on the UPA’s return to power. The as- besides, turn to the pages inside. tounding comeback has received resounding welcome from every quarter, fuelling aspirations of the Manmohan Singh- led political dispensation blowing away every roadblock and

IN SERVICE TO THE NATION: SP’S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JAYANT BARANWAL PRESENTS A COPY OF SP’S MILITARY YEARBOOK 2008-2009 TO THE Jayant Baranwal FORMER CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF, AIR CHIEF MARSHAL F.H. MAJOR PHOTOGRAPHS: SHARAD SAXENA Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 5 ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA NewsWithViews ing cyclones, floods and agriculture-related activities. application in the area of disaster management and upperin cloudmanag cover. In its secondary role, the satellite has good images during day, night and all weather conditions,cappedby bad weather includingconditions, the SAR payload can take handi highly are surveillance satellites whichIndia’s other Unlike resolution. sub-metre with capability all-weather it satellite,theheartof affording dar(SAR). Ra TheSAR theisvery Aperture Synthetic vital most the including satellite, substantial components for the (IAI) defence firm. IAI provided Industry Aerospace Israeli of help the with time record in radarimagingkgsatellite300 the develop promptly, to ISRO enabling responded Israel partner defence reliable trusted and India’s capabilities. surveillance India’s in holes the plug to footing war a developed on was satellite this ists’26/11attacks Mumbai, in terror the byShockedabove. ful surveillance capability from tent, all-weather and meaning persis needed much thecountry give to satellite imaging theRISAT-2, India’s first radar cargo, vital and precious very SAT,a orbitPSLVintothe put ANU satellite educational tal withasmall 40 kg experimen Along pleased. be to reasons tries—since 1993. Indiaforeignfor16and coun satellites—14 30 for of total a reputation as the ISRO’s workhorse that hasit happen”. so far putThe 15th insuccessful space flight of the PSLV bolstered theits past, we declared the launch date and time, and we made mance of the launch vehicle was “precise and on theE dot. As in VIEWS 6

a clear sky at 0645 hours from the Sriharikota space launch base and placed India’s first Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-2) and a co-traveller, micro micro co-traveller, a and (RISAT-2) Satellite Imaging Radar first India’s placed and base launch space into Sriharikota the majestically from soared rocket, hours PSLV-C12 0645 at workhorse, sky clear a Organisation’s will Research that Space Indian satellite borders. country’s surveillance the on a vigil keep all-weather an RISAT-2, the agencies launched security help 20, India on April capabilities, surveillance space-based its to boost a big Delivering RISAT-2: SPYIN THE SKY off well. The final moments of the launch were more thrilling than a cricket match as we hit a few boundaries and bowled some googlies.” googlies.” some bowled and boundaries few a hit we as match cricket a than thrilling more were launch the started has of 2009 year said, moments “The Nair G.M. final Chairman The well. ISRO off Jubilant launch. a textbook in later minutes 19 about orbit ANUSAT, into satellite educational

Interestingly,ISRO’s fullyindigenous radarimagingsatel other had however,Nair, SP’S launchmedia brief, Nair pointed outthat theperfor cricket anybuff after aswatching enthusedhis team aswin. wasAt the post- Nair Madhavan man top latedbytheperfect lift-off ofthePSLV rocket, ISRO’s AVIATION

Issue 5•2009 ------

- - - - lance for defence related applications for the Thelattercountry capability to isrequired protect to ensure meaningful surveil sub-metreresolution Israelitheof significantly SAR theonboard match better RISAT-2.the not does m 50 to m 3 of tion all-weatherimaging capabilities, except that its spatial resolu SAT-1 is also equipped with agile SAR with day andrequired night plus RISAT-2 as a payload for litethe RISAT-1April 20 wasPSLV kept on holdlaunch. to give wayRI to the more urgently Force for overall control of space-based military assets.which, rationalityas dictates, should ledthebebyIndian Air fore,thelongpendingthe anneed for Aerospace Command, use in safeguarding the country’s borders. Thisfrittered againaway bringsbut vested to in India’s armed forces for optimum ern neighbour. Hopefully, the control of the satelliteland and will maritime not be borders with India’s mischief monger west — Air Marshal(Retd) V.K. Bhatia its bordersagainstitsinfiltration. er eltm surveillance of real-timenear SAT-2 will provide effective and Earth’s surface, RI the above km 550 orbit, circular nous similar to that of TecSAR. capabilitiesIndiawhichtoare trieswillgivesurveillanceand coun two the betweenspace of field the in up tiegrowing the RISAT-2 illustratesellites. TecSARlaunchitstion, to sat businessarm,Antrix Corpora negotiatechosetoISRO’swith andforcommercial reasons, it satellitesfrom its own territory serious limitations of launching Shavit-I/II rockets. But owing to own itsusingspace into class Eros,andellitesAmosOfekof rael has been launching its sat raelinSeptember this year. Is Is to TecSAR of another setlaunch all also is Indiayear. last 21 JanuaryPSLV-C10 on incidentally,India’saboardorbitintowent which, satellite IsraeliTecSAR orTechSAR spy launch in PSLV’s next flight. RISAT-1 is now in the queue for oiind n sun-synchroPositioned in the like much RISAT-2 is www.spsaviation.net

SP ------ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA NewsWithViews threaten the US directly, the communist country’s track record China may actually be goading the Barack Obama regime. episode,25 May value.the faceThrough at taken be to not to the test, therefore, is mere diplomatic propriety and ought UN.China’sKorea’sNorththe guard oppositionininterests safe to ready always is China powers, veto-wielding with region.Armed the in responsibilitiesstrategic her of some ally dependable most her outsource to well could China and technological support military and for political, China economic, on dependent is Korea North tenterhooks. on perpetually US the keep and region the in objectives stra tegic its further to China by orchestrated are capabilities Korea’snuclear North of play dis periodic that possibility Korea irrelevant. North on de talkssix-party funct apparently the in made test has rendered the progress the Further, 1718. resolution SecurityCouncilUNolation of the act conducted in brazen vi to respond to strategy herent been little indication of far any co so has there community, world the through by actioncollective consequences dire of threats veiled and rhetoric be at its wit’s end. Beyond to appearsmere Washington tions, rela international damaged repairing and home at crisis economic the Iran, Pakistan, cupiedIraq,with Afghanistan, now sitting high in theis Pyongyangforeign and policyworld freeagenda theof acrossthe dismayUS. of ripplePreoc a detonation,Richterthescale,registeredsenton 4.52has as size,the2006. theWhateverdetonated in one theity” than E VIEWS siles—one surface-to-air and one surface-to-ship—off of its east coast. Pyongyang, meanwhile,rockettest launch also earlier accusedin April.WashingtonDefiant of in plottingthe face of international against itscondemnation government.of its latest nuclear test, On MayNorth Korea 25,also fired two short-range (130 km) mis PYONGYANG PICKS A FIGHT tion of war. statement quoted by official media While North Korea does not yet possesscapabilityyettheWhileNorthnotKoreadoes to the out rule cannot One tion maintains it is “only of marginally higher capac Nuclear-Test-BanComprehensive Organiza Treaty Vienna-based while kilo-tonne, 20 is it claims sia stimates of the size of the device exploded vary. Rus The statement said the US “imperialists and the traitor Lee Myung-Bak’s group have driven the situation on the Korean peninsula into a state of war.” North Korea successfully completed an underground nuclear test as the secretive regime persisted with efforts to bolster its nuclear capabilities after a repeated Pyongyang’s position that Seoul’s decision to join the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative is tantamount to a declara ------led alliance in the region,KoreacomprisingRepublictheof alliancethe in led self-reliance against perceived threat from a possiblewith nuclearAmerica- technology in the mid-1950s in pursuit of military context, India’s reaction is inexplicably mild and muted.concernnotonly for Washingtonbutfor Delhi aswell. Inthis nuclear and missile technology of regimeought to the be a matter in Pakistan clandestine collaboration of with serious of bargaining tool vis-à-vis the US and other western powers.assistance, nuclear sabre-rattling could prove derdevelopedto be socialistan effectiveeconomy heavily dependent onforeign campaign to repair damaged relationships. lessaggressive,For a theObamaweak regime hasembarkedand globalonaun through which Pyongyang could engagementdirectmaximiseforroom make and Koreabenefits.North on tion Somewhat Declassified documents claim North Korea began dabbling Issue 5•2009 — Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey (ROK,SouthorKorea) andJa u o te bm administra Obama the of cus Thetest could help redirect fo objectives. stated the beyond well extends possibly agenda US-ROK-Japanthe alliance, its Koreacould feel threatened by North region”. While the and peninsula Korean the on rity secu and peace ensure and nation the of sovereignty defendingthe to contribute will “it that is test 25 May the for and galling to the US. would seem rather impertinent ideanations,verytwo the the asymmetry between roundall nations.ofHowever, giventhe comity the in role and rights ognitioneachofother’s status, equal partners with mutual rec servility,submission as or but on not equation, basedanced tablishwith Washington bala Korea’s efforts have been to es superpower,solethe as North USemergenceWiththethe of PyongyangKoreanthein War. supported physically it when allyever since the early 1950s, pan.China has been a staunch ot Kras explanation Korea’s North

SP’S AVIATION A military

- - SP 7 ------PHOTOGRAPH: WWW.PICASAWEB.GOOGLE.COM InFocus the lead appeared inevitable to most political analysts and and analysts political most to inevitable appeared lead the in Congress the or BJP the either with coalition uneasy an to reach its rightful conclusion. Minister of India, the deal would gain the requiredtectofthe deal from themomentumIndian side, continuing asthe Prime ton, but then again, with Dr Manmohan Singh, the uncertaintychief withthe archinewObama administration in Washing Indo-USnuclearthroughpassmightdealtopatcheshave of other countries such as Iran and China. Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal, concerning The issueshighly policyprestigious advantageof continuity in tackling other smouldering foreign have beenattherootofthisacceleratedresponse. must factor’ ‘continuity the but Lankans Sri the surprised starter.The a have must offered been as has proposal the which with million) speed ($100 crore 500 Rs of package initial an with scenario post-LTTE and post-Prabhakaran the in programme Tamilrehabilitation a President Lankan Sri the with discussing capital neighbour’s southern its in evident from the fact that India’s is special envoys are already business means need government the issues That complex attention. the urgent of each and crowded heavily is agenda policy foreign and security turmoil,the of state a in ernment’s pollhiatus. gov the during store the minding left were who ministries Block South the of mandarins bureaucratic the to political direction necessary provide and running ground the hit to have will government the earnest, their in over portfolios respective take ministers the and ebbs victory election of scenario.security internal and nal euphoria initial the After A U 8 POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

In the run up to 2009 15th Lok Sabha general elections, elections, general In the run up Lok Sabha to 15th 2009 Similarly,theUPA government islikely tobeaided bythe India surrounding region Asian South the of most With SP’S of the UPA’s return to power on the country’s exter impact notwith the on firmly now is spotlight standing,the continuity of factor attendant the and feel-good market the from thumbs-up resounding AVIATION sher

Issue 5•2009 P

ending - - - - - ol gte mmnu ad ht h cniut factor continuity the that would actasacatalystforaccelerated implementation. and momentum forces gather armed would the of wings all of programmes acquisition the hoped is it encumbrances, political power earlier the to without back coming government UPA the With ladder.acquisition the of rungs different on are or already for been contracted either have which projects of number large a are There forces. armed the of plans modernisation and sue; what also need to be fast-tracked are the re-equipment pending issuesneedtobeprogressedonfasttrack. the all again, saddle the in firmly is government same the that now but elections, impending of excuse the had have may Centre MSAB.Earlier,the the establish to taken been steps any have nor appointed, be to yet is Navy Indian the Security Maritime the Advisor,for serving a Vice of Admiral example, For horizon. the on nowhere implementation full their with stages, planning the in are most issues, the line stream to taken been have actions corrective some While clarity and their effectiveness would have been questionable. lacked steps these haste,(MSAB). However,in Board taken central Coastal Command and a Maritime Security a Agency,Advisory Investigation National a of creation the as such measures of slew a taken had government Singh’s mohan carnage and Mumbai stung by public outcry and 26/11 political opposition, Dr Man the by Shocked too? areas, these in help factor continuity scenario.the Will security internal term. another for affairs country’s the ing the UPA ruling a to near government clear mandate run re giv by less parties political the the all also but or anchor TV strained psephologist the of certitude cautious the surprised only not who voter Indian the was it end, the in But about. bandied also was parties major two the of void de emerging front third a of gazers. possibility The crystal Creating infrastructure and establishment is just one is one just is establishment and infrastructure Creating Now, the focus shifts firmly to cross-border terrorism and programmes ofthearmed it ishopedtheacquisition power withouttheearlier political encumbrances, the various initiativesthe various on homelandsecurity momentum, aswould A government backin forces would gather With theUPA c —Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia tions www.spsaviation.net

------ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA Forum Hit Sequel Signalling POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT ing office for a second inning as India’s Defence Minister. Defence India’s as inning second a for office ing assum after soon priorities,” top our declared A.K. Antony are lives human securing and security national ernments... Ministry Home (MHA), navy, the industry, shipping and gov state guards coast of combination a is which functional, is our command already forces. to Coastal effort strengthen constant a making is government The faced. we tragedies greatest the of one is “26/11 strikes. Mumbai the on alerts was specific were there that flaw, intelligence considering crucial a as cited grade and analyse sift, collate, to ability in the prevention, of issue the On criticism. scathing drew that laxities foremost the among was attack terror Mumbai shortcomings. of gamut a address to rity Architecture Secu Network National a of creation proposes Plan”, rity Secu Internal titled mechanisms. The document, “100-Day security internal modernise” and “overhaul to roadmap a prepare staff his had Singh Manmohan Dr Minister Prime term, second a for charge taking before Even security. nal that at least a has beginning been made to inter strengthen W Clearly, the UPA appreciates rejuvenate the armed forces. Hence, one could reasonably Two key recommendations in the internal security report 26/11 the countering in response coordinated of Lack over the next ﬁve years for defence procurement and expect substantial funds security enhancement. the pressing need to feedbacks are to be believed, it appears appears it believed, be to are feedbacks the and reports with initial If issues urgency? required defence internal and address security to government UPA Singh-led Manmohan Dr the of vantage ad the to work factor continuity the ill

------a the government had approved an Rs 7,000-plus crore ($1.5 crore 7,000-plus Rs an approved had government the security,maritime overall country’s the for responsible ity author central the country.as Navy Indian the Designating the in metros major cover to hubs Guard Security National additional four up set to decided had Centre attacks,the ist available. both made be to of have would help provisions necessary forces, the state and Central with operations counter-terrorism carry to out NCTC the requires plan the if Also, work. to tion organisa the for systems dissemination/sharing and ering gath intelligence acquire to a on war-footing move to have will government The all. not is that But functioning. starts government new as the as soon be obtained must approval delay, CCS further without process time. the a trigger However, to short so net in intricately instituted be and can vast organisation a worked such that unlikely highly is It P. Minister Chidambaram. Home reappointed the of ments state recent the notwithstanding September- task, by Herculean operational end—a fully become to NCTC the for ticking started has already plan, the clock achievement fice presenting ittotheCabinetCommitteeonSecurity(CCS). before implementation for details the out working is MHA areas.The Naxal-affected for representatives state and tral Cen with commands joint establishing besides (NCTC), tre pertain to the creation of a National Counter Terrorism Cen

In the immediate aftermath of the Mumbai 26/11 terror first-100-days-in-of Minister’s Prime the to integral If

Issue 5•2009

SP’S AVIATION

9 ------Forum requirements. While the Indian Army is clamouring for all for clamouring is Army Indian the While requirements. collective their for insufficient be would crore) 4,70,790 (Rs billion $100 even that extent the to overflowing already are services the plans.of modernisation lists and wish tion The acquisi fund to period the during forces armed the to able avail made be could billion) ($60-70 crore 3,29,490 Rs to crore 2,82,325 Rs as much as term, five-year its completes government UPA it the if forces,that expect to armed reasonable be the would rejuvenating of task the of enormity the appreciated having government Singh’s Dr With lion). bil ($11 crore 54,824 Rs healthy a at stands also quisitions the that ac new for is primarily used budget the of component capital news good the personnel, forces armed the of the budget would go towards the new salaries and pensions passed would not be unreasonable it to hope that the defence budget will be and rest to put be can hension appre earlier the least power,at in back UPA the Now,with government. by new the honoured being it on mark big question a with came that budget interim an elections just round the corner, it was only general the However,with preparedness. plug gaping holes in the country’s defence year—to previous the over increase cent per 34 whopping 2009-10—a defence for budget billion) ($30 1,41,703-crore a Rs announced had government the tack, at terror Mumbai the to response in call up wake a forces.As armed the of wings the all of plans modernisation the stering bol of task uphill the considering when again? power to coming government same the with easier made be challenges daunting these tackling resources.Will er tions and of manpow equipment/systems acquisi bound time including agencies, governmental concerned the by plication ap sincere and approach focused a need will contingency.this any all But tackle to able be to enough well equipped and inter est of country/area the immediately of part any almost to deployed be could which force expeditionary all-service an state mechanisms, he favoured creation of central- including action, of course future ing at practically all levels.” mak Discussing the decision of lack the was attack ror of ter the Mumbai 26/11 gest inadequacy big the “Perhaps observed: F.H. Major Marshal Chief Air and appropriatedecisionmaking, andpromptresponses. quick for environment seamless a create to NCTC the with networked be to have would forces armed the of wings all navy the capability,Further,guard.operational coast overall and for for helicopters and aircraft surveillance coastal and aircraft maritime ships,boats,multi-role additional tor intercep high-speed aerostats, including radars coastal as equipment,assorted of acquisition such the for plan billion) 10 POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

hl i i cmo kolde ht mjr hn of chunk major a that knowledge common is it While mind to comes also question That Staff, Air the of Chief the as address last his Delivering

SP’S suo motu AVIATION inParliament.

Issue 5•2009

------FOR US.” VIGILANCE ISMUST SO ETERNAL CAUSE FORCONCERN. AROUND USISA DEVELOPMENTS CHALLENGING. MORE AND INDIA ISGETTING SCENARIO AROUND “THE SECURITY INDIA’S —A.K. ANTONY ------be acquiredexpeditiouslytofilltheexistingdeficiencies. face-to-air systems of medium and long range which need to sur defence air of starved also are services three lion).All bil ($10 crore 47,070 Rs than more worth is alone which Aircraft Combat Multi-Role Medium acquire a to on deal mega working is squadrons, combat vis-à-vis state pleted Indian intensive capital The (IAF),Force Air de much its in aircraft carriers with carrier borne aircraft and submarines. ships,including surface of list exhaustive an has Navy dian types of artillery guns, including Air Defence Artillery, the In The time is ripe to set in motion remedial measures. required to fuel the modernisation drives of the armed forces. benevolence if one were to consider the funding that woulda staggeringbe Rs 20,000 crore (over $4 billion)—inconceivable der of capital funds in the last five years amounts to well over non-utilisation in capital expenditure. The cumulative surrentosurrendered duebillion)was ($1.4 crore 7,000 alone, Rs fundssurrenderedare MoD.theby lastthefinancialIn year sured that year after year large amounts of unutilised capital communications seminarinDelhi. defence a of sidelines the if on view malpractice,”said is he lenient there a take will we say cannot I also, future, In items. ticket big cancelled ruthlessly we so that, ignore not malpractices.Wecan and manipulations certain found we MINISTER DEFENCE Ironically,Ministry’sFinanceen machinationshavethe , the CCS nod at the time of the general general the worth that cases It of is elections. estimated time the at nod CCS the awaiting were and ladder acquisition the up moved already had which cases those clearing in help would it least, At vices. ser three the of process modernisation the accelerating in circum help greatly normal stances under (MoD)—should yet again the heading of Ministry Defence by A.K. Antony strengthened er—further pow to back coming government same malpractice” in procurements. “At times,“At procurements. in malpractice” not hesitate to cancel contracts “if there is would government the said recently ony deals,Ant defence in corruption against stand involved stern a Adopting controversies. getting in over makers decision the plaguing apprehensions and red-tape bureaucratic procedures, acquisition time-wast ing cumbersome, the to mainly due equipment, defence of procurement fast-track as thing such no is there been that has experience overall the far, So chain? procurement the in down rungs to soon. approval likely CCS for up come also is deal Tanker Transport Multi-Role billion) ($1 crore 4,700 Rs est lat the addition, In helicopters. VIP and systems Radar Transportable Low-Level and Aerostat additional including alone, IAF the for approval CCS for pending are million) ($800 crore 4,000 Rs than more The continuity factor, owing to the the to owing factor, continuity The What about the proposals stalled a few with inputsfromSangeeta Saxena — Air Marshal(Retd) V.K. Bhatia, www.spsaviation.net SP ------

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Back CVR Lockheed M AD.indd 1 2/6/09 8:19:08 PM SP’s EXCLUSIVE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF

‘Rejuvenate COMBAT SQUADRONS’

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik spoke to SP’s Aviation a few days prior to taking over the reins of the Indian Air Force. Clearly enthused to shoulder his onerous responsibilities as the chief of the fourth largest air force in the world, Air Chief Marshal Naik was forthcoming in his views on the challenges facing the force and his vision on reinforcing its strengths. PHOTOGRAPHS: SP GUIDE PUBNS

12 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net SP’s EXCLUSIVE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF

especially during the time when our country is faced with numerous challenges. One cannot help thinking about the times when I started off as a young, wide-eyed pilot officer, and to reach this position gives both a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of immense responsibility.

SP’s: How do you see your tasks cut out in leading one of the most remarkable air forces in the world? CAS: The IAF’s endeavour is to make good all deficiencies, upgrade the existing equipment and procure state-of-the-art weapon systems, like advanced combat aircraft, network centric warfare systems, enhanced airlift capability, and so on. The IAF’s aim is to arrest force depletion by suitable replacement and carry out mid-life upgrades to maintain operational relevance of existing fleets and gradually build up to requisite force levels in fighters, transport and helicopters fleets along with air defence (AD) systems, force multipliers and weapons.

SP’s: What would be your vision statement for the IAF at this stage? NEW FACE AT THE HELM: AIR CAS: The IAF has come a long way CHIEF MARSHAL NAIK, THEN VICE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF, from its beginnings as a tactical force. INTERACTS WITH IAF PILOTS AT We are on the threshold of transform- THE 2008 US RED FLAG EXERCISE ing into a potent strategic force capable of effectively tackling the wide variety of threats which have emerged in the recent years.

SP’s: In the light of force depletion in recent years, does the IAF still merit the sobri- quet of the fourth largest air force in the world? How do you propose to rectify the present shortcomings, especially in quantitative terms? CAS: The IAF’s plan to rejuvenate depleted combat squadrons has been adversely affected due to delay in procurement programmes. The procurement process has, unfortunately, not been able to keep pace with phasing out of aircraft. The IAF has planned induction of additional Su-30 MKI, Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to arrest the dwindling combat squadrons’ strength. The delay in the LCA induction has also contributed to the reduced strength. We are hopeful that LCA programme moves for- SP’s Aviation (SP’s): Heartiest congratulations on being ward at the requisite pace and we get the required numbers elevated to the highest office of the Indian Air Force to make good the existing deficiencies. (IAF). What was your reaction on hearing the news? Chief of the Air Staff (CAS): I accept your felicitations with SP’s: The IAF is reportedly on the threshold of meta- all humility. I am conscious of the fact that it is a great morphic changes in terms of modern war fighting honour to lead the fourth largest air force in the world, capabilities especially in the field of combat air

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 13 SP’s EXCLUSIVE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF

training and learning value of a high order as latest warfighting concepts and equipment were employed. The participation showcased our ability to deploy at a distance of approximately 19,000 km from our shores and sustain successful operations for more than a month. It provided valuable exposure to our combat crew to operate in an extremely technology intensive war fighting scenario. While returning to In- dia, the IAF also participated in exercise Desert Eagle at Al-Dhafra with UAE from September 7 to 12, 2008. UAE participated in the exercise with F-16s and Mirage 2000 aircraft. The fact that we not only inte- KNOWN INITIATIVES: AIR CHIEF power, force-multipliers, grated into modern operational concepts but also ensured MARSHAL NAIK, THEN VICE CHIEF space-based capabili- the highest mission accomplishment rates, earned us re- OF THE AIR STAFF, AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE IN NEVADA DURING ties and network centric spect and praise from all other participants. THE 2008 US RED FLAG EXERCISE warfare. What has been your contribution to SP’s: The recent successful launch of the RISAT-2 satel- this process and how do lite must have come as a shot in the arm for the armed you propose to carry it forces. What are your views on India’s military space forward? programmes and on the role of the IAF in acquiring CAS: Modernisation is a continuous process due to rap- key space-based capabilities? id advances in aviation technology and must be catered CAS: (a) India’s space programme is primarily civilian in for in our procurement plan. With the new procurement nature. However, space capabilities are today vital for suc- procedure in place, the IAF is progressing well as per its cessful military operations. It increases our strategic per- modernisation plan. We have been constantly reviewing spective by providing a winning combination of informa- our operational capability, equipment profile as well as our tion dominance and real time command & control. Space organisational and training policies to meet our tasks and assets are force multipliers and tremendously enhance the objectives in a comprehensive fashion. Necessary budget- operational capabilities of a fighting force. ary support is available and, in the near future, I foresee (b) RISAT-2 is the first Radar Imaging Satellite launched the IAF as a potent and capable combat force. by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for use by India. Its primary mission is to support agriculture and SP’s: Could you reflect on your major achievements/ex- disaster management applications. However, it could also periences as the VCAS? What were your views on the be utilised for some defence applications due to it’s night IAF’s participation in the international arena, espe- and day imaging capability as well as imaging in cloudy cially the US Red Flag exercise? weather conditions. It is definitely a significant addition to CAS: The IAF participated in Exercise Red Flag 08-4 at Nel- our space-based capability. lis Air Force Base, Nevada in the US during August 2008 (c) The main thrust of the IAF is to leverage the space as- with its top of the line Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, IL-78 mid- sets of the country in strengthening the existing terrestrial air refuelling aircraft, IL-76 staging aircraft, a platoon of communication infrastructure, fulfill its navigational and Garud Special Forces team, 91 officers and 157 Air War- imaging needs, as well as employ them for meteorological riors. During the planning phase, it was ensured that the and Synthetic Aperture Radar applications. The required USAF also uses comparative equipment and fields a robust Satellite Communication (SATCOM) bandwidth and neces- participation. The foreign forces for the exercise included sary space assets are at present being hired commercially. the F-15C, F-15E and F-16C/D aircraft of the USAF, Rafales Plans are afoot to have a dedicated SATCOM capability in of France and F-15s of South Korea. This exercise offered consultation with ISRO.

14 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net

SP’s EXCLUSIVE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF

SP’s: How do you view the events unfolding in Paki- an approximate cost of Rs 1,200 crore ($240 million). The stan and the likely impact on India especially in view MAFI project is envisaged to be executed on a turnkey of the fact that it possesses nuclear weapons? In what basis. Modernisation of airfields will make these compat- way can the IAF contribute to the growing problem of ible to the requirement of the civil aviation. For the IAF, it homeland security? will enhance our operational capabilities and flight safety. CAS: These are two separate issues. The current events The project is at an advanced stage. Once the contract is indicate increasing instability in Pakistan. Call it by what- finalised, the modernisation of first 30 airfields in Phase-I ever name—fundamentalism, militancy, Talibanisation— would be completed in three-and-half years. essentially it precipitates instability, unrest and alienation of the public, which is undesirable. As neighbours, we SP’s: What has been the most memorable experience need to ensure that there are no spill overs to the Indian of your illustrious service in the IAF spanning four side. Should there be any role or requirement for the IAF decades? in this context, we will meet the challenge resolutely. In- CAS: My most memorable experience is definitely the pe- ternal security (what you call homeland security), is the riod when we were in our formative stage. Those gruelling mandate of civil administration. The paramilitary forces long hours of training, that feeling of satisfaction and ac- in the country are getting modernised and specialised in complishment after flying a good sortie with our mentors, tackling conflict regimes that fall under this category. In enjoying hardships, friendships and camaraderie are all so all such situations, the IAF has always provided timely memorable for me. and all possible assistance to the civil administration. SP’s: As you take over the reins of the IAF what mes- SP’s: In the context of the boom in civil aviation in In- sage would you like to convey to the Air Warriors and dia in the last five years, the civil-military rivalry over their families? control of airspace has been escalating and has often CAS: During the last few years our service has evolved entered public domain. What are your views? from a tactical air force to one with strategic capability in CAS: I wonder why the media chooses “civil-military rival- consonance with our national aspirations. Our task is to ry” as the phrase to describe differences in organisational protect the nation from threats arising from the medium perceptions. With increase in density or air traffic, the ex- of air and space. It is a monumental task and we have to clusive space available to operators has shrunk. Both the be prepared 24X7 to handle all type of scenarios. Each civil and the military have their concerns, and these need and every one of us to be addressed. The exponential increase in traffic has in the IAF, whether in come about since there is an increasing demand. And that uniform or civil dress, it is in the interest of the country is well understood. We The IAF must remember that have to remember that guarding the Indian air space is we are Air Warriors the IAF’s responsibility. Considering the size of our coun- has already first and always. Our try, length of our borders and the geo-political situation initiated the conduct and demean- in the neighbourhood, the IAF’s operational and training our, whether in or out requirements are immense. Air space is a vital require- Modernisation of uniform, must be ment for this. Therefore, it is a question of understanding impeccable and serve each other’s requirements. Innovative concepts, like flexi of Airfield as an example to our air space and Reduced Vertical Separation Minima, have Infrastructure countrymen. We have been introduced to overcome the air space shortage. Most a collective commit- importantly, we are constantly talking to each other to project… ment to look after our iron out the problem areas. Far from “civil-military rival- thirty airfields cost intensive equip- ry”, we are, in fact, in a state of “civil-military synergy”. ment and preserve it have been in the best manner SP’s: There is a concerted drive to enlarge civil avia- possible, so that the tion infrastructure in the country. Considering that earmarked for combat potential of a large part of civil aviation activity is dependent on upgradation the IAF remains at the aviation infrastructure under the control of the IAF, highest level. Safety, what is the level of investment in monetary terms in the first honour and welfare visualised by the force for the upgrade of airfields and phase at an of our Air Warriors Air Traffic Management system under its operational in air or on ground control? approximate would be given the CAS: The air force has already initiated the Modernisation highest consider- of Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) project. It includes instal- cost of Rs 1,200 ation. My best wishes lation of state-of-the-art Automated Air Traffic Manage- crore ($240 to all Air Warriors ment System, ILS Cat-II, DVOR and DME, TACAN and RVR, and their families for Cat-II Air Field Lighting System, and so on. All the air- million). their wholehearted fields of the IAF and other government agencies would be contribution towards taken up for modernisation in two phases. Thirty airfields making the IAF a glo- have been earmarked for upgradation in the first phase at rious force. SP

16 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net INDUSTRY ELETTRONICA S.p.A. Swift & SILENT

POD EFA FONDO NERO

New lessons from the latest conﬂicts and leading edge technology solutions ALQ-703-ARTIC

ecent conflicts have irrevocably confirmed protection for the operation of slow moving aircraft (fixed and the need for air supremacy to garner success. rotary wing) that ensure direct support to ground troops and Air supremacy is not just about aircraft and pinpoint accuracy even with cheaper “dumb” weapons. weapon performances—electronic warfare To cope with this situation, new tactics have been imple- (EW) has largely contributed to it as well. In mented based on weapons that provide very little alert, like fact, on well-established defence capabilities infrared (IR) missiles. It is well known that over 50 per cent (as evident in the Balkans or in Iraq) the Integrated Air De- of aircraft losses were produced by passive weapons which Rfence System has been neutralised through the electronic reduce the possibility of flying below the radar horizon, warfare contribution, that is, through suppression of ene- thus posing serious problems to the “slow movers” whose my Air Defence (AD) assets and dedicated EW assets, like major defence tactics hinge on zooming quietly over tree- Prowlers and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). tops. Instances are the heavy losses suffered by the Rus- Knowledge of the complete air picture (through instanta- sians in Afghanistan and the downing of the Italian G222 neous interception of any radar transmission combined with transport by two IR missiles over Bosnia while performing

ELETTRONICA the adversary’s confused Situation Awareness due to radar a humanitarian mission. : jamming/suppression) coupled with the interception of communication (with the accurate use of communication jamming) E-SOLUTIONS TO THE FORE have jointly rendered Fourth Generation aircraft ineffective. A major consequence of the above facts, as has emerged

PHOTOGRAPHS This overwhelming high altitude air supremacy has allowed from the latest conflicts, is that self-protection suites for

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 17 INDUSTRY ELETTRONICA S.p.A. fixed and rotary wing aircraft are becoming more and more and SIGnals INTelligence, or SIGINT, in addition to the tra- complex. While some years ago it was not unusual to see air- ditional radar warning function. craft without any Electronic Support Measures (ESM), now High sensitivity ESMs are based on Digital Receiver tech- the minimum aircraft equipment is the “pair”, Radar Warn- nology that ensures a very high accuracy in emitter param- ing Receivers (RWR) and Missile Warning Systems (MWS), to eter measurement even within the single radar impulse. The warn the crews of radar threats and missiles launches. solid-state technology associated with an advanced propri- At the same time, Electronic Countermeasure systems etary Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) ensures the are improving: radio frequency (RF) jammers are becoming requested power and high fidelity signal manipulation and smarter and Infrared Countermeasures are evolving to meet replication to jam early warning and seduce tracking radars. military requirements as flares are no longer capable of en- This kind of technology is already on board the Fourth-plus suring survivability. At present, the most lethal threats are Generation fighters, like the Typhoon. the Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS): these At this point, imagine how a pilot would manage all these are present in all operations theatres and even when air- sensors and actuators, trying to get the best from the EW craft perform in-country training missions. The proliferation suite. This means reading all monitors and indicators at the of MANPADS is largely due to the relative ease with which same time to understand the situation even while ensuring these weapons can be procured, ease in operation and the that no jammer blinds the on board ESM or flares seduce possibility of concealment. own IR sensors. This indeed can be the worst nightmare. But, which are the preferred preys? The answer is: Elettronica is engaged in the development of a System Man- “slow mover” aircraft or aircraft in a predictable flight path. ager that can relieve the pilot workload in such a complex Therefore, helicopters and propeller transport aircraft are multisensory/actuator environment by giving back to the perpetually in danger of being homed in by MANPADS. The crew the essential role of “battle manager” with the clearest threat extends to other aircraft as well, but in all likelihood Situation Awareness (needed information clearly displayed), only during standard take-off and landing procedures. permitting to take proper decision and actions. This is possible by using a neural network technology that acts as a sys- ENABLING STEALTH tem operator along the crew, unravelling a situation wherein Infrared sensors and countermeasures are emerging as decisions have to be taken in a fraction of a second. standard equipment for all aircraft. Elettronica S.p.A. offers a range of solutions—from MWS to the ELT/572 DIRCM (Di- FOCUS ON THE UNMANNED & MANNED rect Infrared Countermeasures). Since World War II, the disruption of AD capabilities, Generically speaking, the electro/optical suite can be op- through such knowledge as the overall air picture and ear- timised to customer needs and some evaluations appear nec- ly warning, has been the major task of EW systems. The essary. Are there any cases in which flares are not fit for the task requires high power in a narrow selective beam and purpose? Yes, the emblematic case being in-country training has been delegated to a dedicated jammer pod that grants missions, where it is possible to drop flares only above cer- operational flexibility (no major changes in the platform). tain areas and above certain altitudes. The same applies in Now, besides a pod, other candidates for this mission are case of covert missions where the key criterion is to stay con- the UAVs that offer substantial benefits with unique attri- cealed. In fact, when releasing flares, the aircraft is revealing butes like low detectability and long persistence over the its presence. In such instances, the need for a laser-based area. Escort or stand-off jammer pods carried by UAVs DIRCM is evident. ELT/572 is the solution to these problems. have the same requirements of high power in narrow Indeed, with its high selectivity it can counter incoming IR beams. In this case, the advantages of the antenna arrays missiles over populated areas and during covert missions. coupled with solid-state transmit and receive modules are A possible solution to reduce exposure to ground IR evident: the objective is achieved with the advantage that threats is to fly above the maximum altitude reachable by escorted or covered aircraft are unaffected by own jammer. weapons. This will, however, expose the aircraft to all radar The consolidated experience and maturity of technology of threats, from the Short Range to the very last generation Elettronica S.p.A. in these fields is the bases to build new Low Observable weapon systems. Short range usually means payloads for these applications simply using existing sub- high RF power reaching the aircraft, thereby necessitating units already in production. the need to transmit high RF power to jam the tracker. Last Yet another hot topic is training. The old pilots’ saying generation Low Observable weapon systems usually mean “train as you fight; fight as you train” is the ultimate driver very long lethal range (hundreds of kilometres) and complex to get an excellent training output. This means that dur- very low RF power signals reaching the platform, thus the ing exercises the display has to look as it looks in the real need for high sensitivity RWR/ESM equipment. situation and respond to the action taken. The Elettronica S.p.A. system can do this. Through training planning tools DEFINING OUR STRENGTHS it is possible to stimulate, in a virtual mode, the sensors The RF spectrum is the core business of Elettronica S.p.A.. to display realistic emitters or create a real exercise situa- In this field, it is one of the few companies, together with tion, without degradation of sensors, reacting properly to its American counterparts, that use high power wide band the action taken through the on board simulator option. solid-state transmitting and receiving modules. Elettronica Last, but not least, Elettronica S.p.A. has the capability S.p.A. can display a large spectrum of products ranging to develop new systems taking the lead in the design of from simple RWR to very high sensitivity ESM that can per- the EW suite for a platform, side-by-side with the aircraft form the dual tasks of ELectronic INTelligence, or ELINT, manufacturer. SP

18 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net MILITARY AERO ENGINES The HYPE & THE HYPER Today, practically all the frontline ﬁghters of the world use turbofan jet engines. For tomorrow, one concept fast gaining momentum is that of ‘HYPERSONIC’ ﬂight.

right brothers Orville and Wil- By Air Marshal (Retd) JET PIPS THE PISTON bur are credited with making V.K. Bhatia, New Delhi By the middle of the 1950s, jet engines had the first controlled, heavier- been propelled to centre stage as power than-air flight. To power the plants of choice for all combat aircraft. Waircraft, they had specially commissioned Piston-engines were confined to power- their bicycle workshop mechanic, Charlie ing transport, liaison and other special Taylor, to build a matching low-weight en- duty aircraft. Even here, improvements in gine, mostly of the light metal aluminum. the turboprop (jet engine with propeller) On December 17, 1903, with the first flight pushed the piston out of the mainstream. of Wright Flyer The speed advan- 1, they not only F135 tages of the jet made aviation engines were so history but also alluring that by set the trend the next decade, for designers all large civilian and manufac- aircraft were also turers of aero jet powered. But engines to it was not till the build products late 1970s, when, in sync with the with the advent requirements EJ200 TP400 of high bypass jet of the aircraft. engines, fuel effi- Sensibly, this ciency was so op- trend has continued during the entire timised as to herald the era of fast, safe and span of the rapidly changing aviation sce- economical travel for the general public. nario, but most unfailingly, in the field of Meanwhile, eruption of Cold War resulted military aviation. AE3007 ENGINE FOR in an unprecedented arms race, which also Aero engines per force have to be ex- GLOBAL HAWK gave catalytic push to ever faster airplanes tremely reliable, lightweight, powerful, flying at high speeds at the extremes of atmo- fuel-efficient, easily maintainable and ca- spheric boundaries. Who can forget the high- pable of operating at high altitudes as also at high speeds. ly complex Pratt & Whitney J58-P4. A pièce de résistance, the Initially, automobile engines were suitably modified and used J58-P4 was especially designed to power the US spy plane, the on aircraft, but soon a new breed of aero engine manufac- trisonic SR-71 Blackbird. Sharing the limelight was its coun- turers sprang up to cater for the specific needs of designers terpart, the Tumansky R 15(B) engine extraordinaire, used to and manufacturers of aircraft. Various types of piston-engines power the matching Russian MiG-25 Mach 3 high-altitude air- with different cylinder positions, such as inline, rotary, radial craft for both interception and strategic reconnaissance roles. and v-shaped, were tried out. But in their quest to fly faster and higher, especially the fighter aircraft, designers hit a CUT TO THE PRESENT dead end with the propeller-driven, piston-engined aircraft, While jet engines continued to evolve and were perfected as the because with the propeller-tips reaching the speed of sound, mainstay for powering military combat aircraft, other engines the aircraft speed had to remain in the vicinity of 500 mph. It were also being improved upon for use on various other types was realised that if aircraft performance was ever to increase, of aerial platforms. Mach 3 fighters and their engines may have a way would have to be found to improve the design of the pis- lost some relevance after the arrival of space-based and near ton engine—or, alternatively, a wholly new type of power plant space platforms, but there are other fields where technological would have to be developed. The latter proved to be an easier advancements offer capabilities to match emerging require- option with the advent of the gas turbine engine, commonly ments. While advanced models of turbojets are being used for called a ‘jet’ engine, which, as the events unfolded, ushered jet fighters, turboshafts are being further honed to power the in a revolution in aviation almost as vital as the first heavier- new breed of helicopters. Similarly, while advanced technolo-

PHOTOGRAPHS: ROLLS ROYCE, PRATT & WHITNEY, SNECMA AND EUROJET & WHITNEY, PRATT ROYCE, PHOTOGRAPHS: ROLLS than-air flight by the Wright Brothers. gies are being used in the field of turboprop engines, predomi-

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 19 MILITARY AERO ENGINES

POWER PLANTS: A QUICK REFERENCE Engine details of most of the modern jet fighters, including the ones in the race for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft deal and probable contenders to meet its attack helicopter requirements, as also other aerial platforms

AERIAL PLATFORMS ENGINE ENGINE(S) THRUST (POWER) MANUFACTURER KN (LB ST)

JET FIGHTERS

Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor Pratt & Whitney 2 x F119-PW-100 Advanced technologies 155.6 (35,000) turbofans with two dimensional thrust vectoring, super-cruise

Lockheed Martin F-35 Pratt & Whitney 1 x F135 advanced technologies turbofan, 177.9 (40,000) super-cruise

Su-30 MKI Saturn 2 x Lyulka AL-35F (AL-31FM) 122.6 (27,560)

Lockheed Martin F-16 Pratt & Whitney 1 X F100-PW-229 129.5 (29,100) Or Or General Electric 1 x F100-GE-129 129.0 (29,000)

Boeing F/A-18 E/F General Electric 2 x F414-GE 400 97.9 (22,000)

Saab JAS-39 Gripen General Electric / 1 x RM12 (F404-GE-400) Turbofan 80.5 kN (18,000 lb st) Volvo Flygmotor Super-cruise demonstrated With afterburning

Eurofighter Eurojet 2 x EJ200 advanced technology turbofans 90.0 (20,250)

Dassault Rafale Snecma 2 x M-88-2E4 75.0 (16,872)

MiG-35 Klimov 2 x RD-33MK Turbofans 85.3 kN (18,180 lb st) with afterburning

MILITARY TRANSPORTS

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III Pratt & Whitney 4 x F117-PW-100 Turbofans (40,440 lb st) each

Antonov AN -70 Motor Sich/Salyut 4 x D-27 (13,800 Shp) each Propfans with contra-relating propellers (8 front, 6 rear) with composite blades

Airbus A400 M Europrop International 4 x TP400-DG With Eight-blade (13,000 Shp) each (ITP, MTU, Rolls- propellers Royce-Snecma)

ATTACK HELICOPTERS

Agusta Westland AW 129 LHTEC (Rolls Royce, 2x T800-LHT-800 Turboshafts 1,373 Shp each Honeywell)

Bell AH- 1Z Super Cobra General Electric 2 x T700-GE-401 Turboshafts 1,723 Shp each

Boeing AH – 64 D Apache General Electric 2 x T700-GE-701C Turboshafts 1,800 Shp each Longbow

Eurocopter Tiger EC 665 Rolls-Royce / Turbomeca 2 x MTR 890 Modular Turboshafts 1,285 Shp each

Kamov Ka-50 Klimov 2 x TV3-117 VMA Turboshafts 2,190 Shp each

Mi-28NE Klimov 2 x TV3-117 VMA Turboshafts 2,190 Shp each

UAVs

GA-AS MQ-9 Reaper Honeywell 1 x TP331-10T (950 Shp) (950 Shp)

MQ-1 Predator Rotax 1 x Rotax 914F turbocharged piston Engine (115 hp)

IAI Searcher II Limbach 1 x Limbach L550 Piston-engine (47 hp)

IAI Heron Rotax 1 x Rotax 914 Piston-engine (115 hp)

Northrop Grumman Allison Rolls-Royce 1 x AE-3007H Turbofan 31.4 kn (7,050 lb st) RQ-4 Global hawk

20 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net EJ200 – BENCHMARK FOR EXCELLENCE

By applying world-leading technology to our customers’ needs, EUROJET is able to off er the very best in engine production. The EJ200 engine has an unprecedented performance record combined with multi-role capability, highest availability and low life-cycle costs. EJ200: the engine of choice for single or twin applications.

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SP ad for India.indd 1 19/05/2009 09:43:18 MILITARY AERO ENGINES nantly for military transports; piston-engines are shaping up was used to extract energy from the engine itself to drive the for special platforms such as the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. compressor. Frank Whittle is credited with the invention of Practically all the frontline fighters of the world use turbo- the first ‘jet’ engine who, as a cadet in the RAF College, Cran- fan jet engines, fitted with a combination package of fan plus well in 1928, formally submitted his ideas for a turbojet. While axial-flow compressors in varying numbers. All have after- Whittle may be credited as the first to invent the jet engine, its burners for augmented thrust. Most are leaning towards vec- practical application in powering an aircraft came from Ger- tored thrust to be able to impart much greater manoeuvrabil- man scientist Hans von Ohain. Under the patronage of aircraft ity to the combat platforms. In this category come the engines industrialist Ernst Heinkel, Ohain developed the HeS 3 (5kN) fitted on the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor (F119-PW-100), jet engine which was fitted to Heinkel’s He 178—the world’s the Russian Su-30 MKI (AL-35F), being operated by the Indian first jet plane—and flown on August 27, 1939. Air Force (IAF) and the RD-33 MK thrust-vectoring engines One of the earliest commercially mass-produced, ‘straight being proposed for the MiG-35. A few are also incorporating through’ version of the centrifugal-flow jet engine soon after super-cruise capability (see table). the Second World War ended was the de Havilland Goblin which powered the twin-boomed Vampire fighter. A large NOVEL DESIGNS number of these aircraft were also acquired by the then fledg- Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning-II: A somewhat novel ling IAF. One niggling problem with the early centrifugal-flow engine design technology has been incorporated in power- engines was that due to the technological constraints of the ing the under development US Fifth Generation stealth F-35 time, the thrust generated could not go beyond certain limits. JSF (Joint Strike Fighter). Two different engines are being But this problem was soon addressed with the introduction developed for the F-35: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the of the axial-flow compressor. Interestingly, Germany was the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 with stealth and super- first to sufficiently master the technique and began to pro- cruise capabilities. In addition, the Short Take-off & Verti- duce the resulting engine named Jumo 004 towards the end cal Landing (STOVL) version uses the innovative LiftSys- of the Second World War as a power plant for the world’s first tem, patented by Lockheed Martin and built by Rolls-Royce. jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262 (and later the world’s Different from the preceding generation of STOVL designs first jet bomber aircraft, the Arado Ar 234). (such as the Harrier), the LiftSystem is composed of a lift fan, driveshaft, clutch, two roll posts and a three Bearing CRYSTAL GAZING Swivel Module. The latter is a thrust vectoring nozzle which Whichever way technology determines the military engines allows the main engine exhaust to be deflected downwards of tomorrow, one thing is certain: the trend started by the at the tail of the aircraft. The lift fan near the front of the Wright Brothers of matching the power plants to meet the aircraft provides the counter-balancing thrust. Roll control requirements of aerial vehicles will persist. There will ob- during slow flight is achieved by diverting pressurised air viously be varying demands to suit different platforms but through wing-mounted thrust nozzles called Roll Posts. certain attributes may converge. For example, the emerg- Airbus A400M Military Transport: After lengthy delibera- ing trends would have one believe that future jet engines tions and intense competition, Airbus selected the somewhat for military aircraft would have all or most of the attributes unique engine TP400-D6 from EuroProp International (ITP, such as greater power with vectored thrust and super-cruise MTU, Rolls-Royce and Snecma) for it’s under development capabilities. In addition, stealth will grab centre stage of de- four-engined A400M Future Large Aircraft programme. sign features which, apart from placement of engines on air- Each engine provides (13,000 shp) thermodynamic power craft, will also have an impact on the air intake and exhaust de-rated to (11,000 shp) for take-off. Engine has a three- designs. A case in point is the already discussed F-35 JSF, shaft configuration, an offset gearbox and dual-channel Full whose engine will not only have prominent stealth but at Authority Digital Engine Control with propeller control. Each over 40,000 lb st, it would be the most powerful jet engine engine sports an eight-blade FH386 composite curved pro- ever fitted on a fighter aircraft. peller, capable of full reversal of pitch enabling the aircraft The quest for ever faster response capabilities are pushing to back up at MTOW (2 deg/1 deg slope on concrete/soft the technological frontiers of engine designs further and fur- surface). The uniqueness lies in the fact that the engines are ther in the field of military and related space applications. One ‘handed’, with one of each wing pair rotating in opposite di- concept fast gaining momentum is that of ‘Hypersonic’ flight. At rection to the other, offering reduction in torque and elimina- present, the US military and NASA have formulated a National tion of asymmetric airflow over wing. This ‘down between’ Hypersonics Strategy to investigate a range of options. There engine configuration also improves asymmetric handling in is a convergence of interests from different US organisations the event of one of the engines becoming inoperative. in accepting hypersonic flight as a common goal. For example, the US Army desires hypersonic missiles that can attack mo- EVOLUTION EXPLAINED bile missile launchers quickly. The USAF is interested in a wide Jet engines evolved on Newton’s third law of motion: “To every range of hypersonic systems, from air-launched cruise mis- action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. In jet engines, siles to orbital space planes, all but with one aim—to narrow the speed of exhaust gases emanating from the tailpipes im- as much as possible the time gap between sensor and shooter. parts forward thrust to the aircraft. Earlier attempts at jet en- Should the recent successes usher in hypersonic flight capable gines gave birth to hybrid designs in which an external power hybrid Scramjets as the military engines of tomorrow’s aerial source was used to first compress the air, which was then platforms, these too shall conform to the trend of matching the mixed with fuel and burned to produce the gases. However, corresponding engine—as was initiated by the Wright brothers the key to a practical jet engine was the gas turbine, which more than a century ago. SP

22 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net INDUSTRY OEM By Dr Vivek Lall, Vice President and The India Country Boeing Head, Boeing IDS PARTNERSHIP in INDIA

WOULD LIKE, FIRST, TO EX- space companies in boasting TEND A WARM WELCOME a rich 60-year legacy in India, TO AIR CHIEF MARSHAL through decades of commer- PRADEEP VASANT NAIK as cial passenger jet sales to air- Ihe steps into the role of Chief of the lines in India. Air Staff, Indian Air Force (IAF). In 2004, Boeing Inte- Reaching the position of Chief is a grated Defense Systems (IDS) prestigious honor to those called joined Boeing Commercial upon to lead one of the world’s Aircraft in the Indian mar- great air forces. Air Chief Marshal ket and jointly undertook a Naik’s appointment caps an illus- two-pronged business strat- trious career on the one hand, and egy. Developed at the highest on the other, marks the transition levels of our company, the of immense responsibility from the Boeing hopes to prove strategy aimed to identify im- trusted and very capable hands of itself and its products mediate sales opportunities, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major. and then to seek out prom- The Boeing Company congratulates worthy to win a share of ising Indian companies for both these dedicated and respected the country’s enormous long-term “win-win” indus- officers and wishes them well. trial partnerships, beneficial There is, and has been for sev- market to both India and Boeing. We eral years now, much talk in the sa- are continuing to follow that lons of Delhi of the state of the Indo- strategy, because Boeing’s US bilateral relationship. In fact, I was given the opportunity to goal and ambition is to be ranked India’s aerospace and meet with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh last fall after defence partner. I have said before that my company sees a his return from a visit to the US. We discussed many things potential of $31 billion (Rs 1,46,890 crore) in potential de- together, but mostly our interest centered on the Prime Min- fence business in India in the next five to 10 years. This is an ister’s warm reception in Washington and the progress made enormous market, and Boeing hopes to prove itself and its in the Indo-US bilateral relationship symbolised by the civilian products worthy to win a share of it. nuclear deal nearing final stages of approval. Boeing’s P-8I has just won the confidence of the Indian When they meet, Prime Ministers and Presidents receive Navy with the sale of eight of these advanced maritime patrol great attention because of the opportunity to read, through aircraft. Currently, Boeing is competing with five other compa- their personal bonding, the temperature of the ties between nies to offer new multi-role combat fighters to the IAF to help their respective countries. On both counts, the Indo-US rela- fill the growing vacuum in IAF squadron strength. Boeing’s tionship is healthy, vibrant and growing. Less visible a role in fighter offer is the proven and robust F/A-18IN Super Hor- that relationship, but no less important, is the work Indian and net—the most advanced combat fighter in production today. American companies continue to do in weaving business deals If India initiates competitions for heavy lift and attack helicop- that form many of the threads in this ever-expanding tapestry ters, Boeing stands ready to offer two of the most formidable of ties between the two nations. and capable rotorcraft flying today—the CH-47F Chinook and This March, Boeing announced the opening of the com- the AH-64D Apache, respectively. We also believe Boeing’s C- pany’s new Research & Technology-India centre in Bangalore 17 Globemaster III can bring long-range strategic military and to help sustain the company’s competitive technological edge humanitarian airlift capability to support India’s growing re- while enhancing India’s aerospace capabilities. The previous gional and world role. month, Boeing and Bharat Electronics Limited announced Since IDS entered the Indian defence market, we have al- plans for the joint development of an analysis and experimen- ways pointed out that the Boeing defence portfolio neatly aligns tation centre in Bangalore to assist India in modernising its de- with India’s immediate and long-term defence needs. And the fence forces. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems has also inked list above offers clear evidence of the potential Boeing can offer a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics India in the years ahead. We believe Boeing and India can form Limited to bring more than $1 billion (Rs 4,745 crore) of new an aerospace defence partnership that will bring great value to aerospace manufacturing work to India. Such concrete steps India and stand the test of time. After all, in a country as cultur- are consolidating Boeing’s industrial and defence footprint in ally rich and historic as India, even Boeing’s first 60 years can SP PHOTOGRAPHS: BOEING India. The Boeing Company stands almost alone among aero- only be considered a good start.

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 23 CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION

TAILOR-MADE: COMPANIES LIKE CESSNA (SEEN HERE IS THE CITATION CJ2) HAVE BEEN OFFERING CUSTOMISED SOLUTIONS FOR CORPORATE HOUSES IN KEEPING WITH THEIR BUSINESS GOALS ENSE & CESSNA, EMBRAER, DASSAULT & GULFSTREAM DASSAULT EMBRAER, CESSNA, : URVIVAL $PHOTOGRAPHS S 24 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION

Should business jet owners rush for the exit and divest themselves of their wings while they can? It would be wiser, perhaps, to HANG ON AND WEATHER THE STORM.

HERE IS NO GREATER GRATIFICA- By Group Captain (Retd) TION THAN WHIPPING A SCAPE- Joseph Noronha, Goa GOAT. With the world embroiled in the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression, business jets have emerged the scapegoats of choice. Scores of people, right up to the Presi- Tdent of the US, have virtuously jumped onto the jets than North America, a trend that seems set to persist. Business jets, also known as corporate jets, executive jets or jet-bashing bandwagon. Stung by the ferocity of private jets, have become the choice of corporate travel. the criticism, many Fortune 500 companies are dumping their jets, a move that immediately BUYERS MAKE HAY, SELLERS GET SINGED boosts the balance sheet and erases the embar- Had Charles Dickens been asked to pronounce on the current business jet ownership scene he might have said: “It is the best rassing icon of ‘corporate excess’. “We have an of times; it is the worst of times.” Buyers have never had it so unprecedented situation where there is a stigma good because prices of used as well as new aircraft are plum- attached to flying a corporate jet,” laments Credit meting. However, very few deals are being closed because finance has virtually dried up. From the point of view of sellers, Suisse aerospace analyst Robert Spingarn. an increase in inventory of pre-owned aircraft and expected Private ownership of aircraft has a history dating back to decline in flight activity for some more months has resulted in the 1920s when wealthy businessmen bought their own planes. a significant slowing in demand, especially of new jets. Perhaps the first aircraft to be fitted out luxuriously were Beech In the US, according to UBS Securities, business jet usage Staggerwings—bi-planes upholstered in leather and mohair. dropped 30 per cent during the first quarter of this year. Most The most notable debut into the private jet segment was that of manufacturers have an- the Learjet in 1963, making the ‘Lear’ almost synonymous with nounced dramatic pro- premium, executive travel. For decades, such jets were objects duction cuts—20 to 30 of admiration and envy. However, few could afford one. per cent—and production MAGNIFICENT MACHINES: Since then, progress has been rapid. The business jet fleet could plunge by about 40 EMBRAER’S PHENOM LENDS today numbers perhaps 16,000 worldwide. Historically, the per cent from last year’s STEAM TO THE FAST EMERGING American market has vastly outstripped all others. But for the peak. Since prices are VLJ CONCEPT; DASSAULT’S FALCON 2000LX (RIGHT) COMBINES first time in 2007 the rest of the world bought more business quoted in dollars, any re- COMFORT WITH SPEED

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 25 CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION vival of international demand would be tempered by a dollar BUSINESS JETS BY SIZE that is now 20 per cent higher than a year ago. Who would like to be seen acquiring a private jet at this time anyway? • Light: Cessna Citation CJ1+, CJ2+ and CJ3 and the Hawker The ‘taint’ is likely to mar the industry for some time and even 400 XP are some examples. when businesses recover, they are likely to be afraid to re-enter • Medium: For example, the Bombardier LR40XR, Gulfstream the corporate jet market. G150 and Hawker 750, 850XP and 900XP. For the valiant, however, a slew of jets are currently on offer, • Super-Mid Size: Models like the Bombardier CL300, Cessna ranging from four-seater Very Light Jets (VLJs) to large, convert- Citation X and Hawker 4000. ed airliners. Competition and an increased number of manufac- • Heavy: Bombardier CL605; Dassault Falcon 2000DX, 2000EX. turers have resulted in slashed prices and made business jets more accessible to a wider clientele. A variety of plans is also • Long Range: Bombardier Global 5000; Gulfstream 500 and 550. available, ranging from full ownership to a single fare costing a tad more than business class on a scheduled commercial airline. Consequently, there has been explosive growth in business jet On the other hand, heavy taxes impede growth. Take last travel not just in terms of total hours flown but more impor- year’s dispute over ‘evasion’ of customs duty on import of tantly, in the number of aircraft owners and users. private aircraft into India. The Union Budget for 2007-2008 imposed duties of around 25 per cent on all aircraft imports. A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE However, feverish lobbying succeeded in obtaining complete Between 2000 and 2007, the number of private jets in the exemption for aircraft imported under Non-Scheduled Op- US rose 30 per cent to cross 12,000. Comparable growth erator Permits. A year ago, customs authorities began prob- was experienced in some other parts of the world for obvi- ing allegations that companies and individuals were posing ous reasons. As economies grew, the number of companies as non-scheduled operators to purchase aircraft for personal willing to buy business jets surged. Correspondingly, the cy- use without paying taxes. While some aircraft were seized and clical downturn of the last couple of years has seen a waning heavy fines imposed, other cases are still under investigation. of interest. Government regulations and taxes also play a Having been penalised, it is not clear whether the owners can part in helping or hindering expansion. Favourable depre- now legally offer non-scheduled services on such aircraft. ciation rules can provide significant tax savings on business At present there are five major manufacturers of business jets and, thereby, act as a strong incentive to buy. jets: Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Gulfstream and Hawker

26 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION

Beechcraft. These offer a wide variety of over 30 models that can be conveniently categorised by size. In addition, there are VLJs like the Embraer Phenom 100 and the Eclipse 500. At the other end of the spectrum, converted Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s and even 747-8s are marketed under the family name ‘Boeing Business Jets’ while converted Airbus A319s are called ‘Airbus Corporate Jets’. Aerion, a supersonic business jet, is likely to take to the skies by 2014 and promises an unmatched experience of speed and comfort. While the cheapest of the light category can be acquired for around $4.5 million (Rs 21 crore), buyers aspiring to own a long range jet should be prepared to shell out as much as $50 million (Rs 240 crore).

ONLY IF IT MAKES TRAVEL$ENSE Why would a thrifty company on a tight budget choose to buy such expensive assets? Managing far-flung interests requires the flexible mobility that only business jets can provide. Most busi- COMFORT WORTH ness jets can use smaller airstrips, where commercial planes are just 126 airports and scheduled air- THE COST: GULFSTREAM cannot venture. For instance, in the US, air charter and leas- lines operate to perhaps no more than 550’S (INSET) ing companies utilise over 5,000 airports against the 500 or so two thirds of them. Contrast this with PLUSH INTERIORS touched by scheduled airlines. Around 30 American towns have AirNetz, which claims it can fly ‘on-de- AND STATE-OF- already lost their scheduled airline connections since the current mand to over 400 destinations across THE-ART COMFORT ELEMENTS ENSURE recession began and an additional 70 have suffered big cuts in India’. Although many of these locations VALUE FOR MONEY service. Only business aviation can fill this gap. In India, there are probably accessible only by helicop- Continued on page 31

ECONOMY OF

SCALES

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 27 CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION ECONOMICS Record On Cessna

Multiply the BENEFITS GOODWILL MANTRA: POST DELIVERY OF THE AIRCRAFT, CESSNA CAN OFFER SEVERAL “POWER BY THE HOUR” PROGRAMMES By Trevor Esling, Vice President, International Sales, Cessna

The owner’s beneﬁt of ownership starts with a well-designed and easily maintainable product

ne of the main themes running through with a well-designed and easily maintainable product. If at Cessna Aircraft Co’s ethos for selling its inception the engineers make the right choice for simple yet business jets throughout the world has effective systems with reliability and easy maintainability in been the importance of service to our cus- mind, then cost of operation will be low and, consequently, tomers. In fact, over the last few years, cost of ownership and maintainability will also be low even as respected surveys have consistently rated reliability soars. As our product line has rapidly evolved in the Cessna either Number 1 or 2 in customer last decade, this importance of design-at-inception has been a service along with Gulfstream Aerospace. strong influencer on us. PHOTOGRAPHS: CESSNA OIn many respects, the owner’s benefit of ownership starts The Citation Mustang is the latest product to benefit from 28 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION ECONOMICS that thinking. We feel this reflects strongly in Cessna’s reputa- Brazil (TAM) offering the largest service centre outside the tion in the market for designing, testing and certifying aircraft US, although this will soon be matched by a 100,000 square that are the cheapest to own and the easiest to operate whilst foot service centre in Bremen, Germany (Atlas Air Service). delivering strong value to the customer in terms of cabin size, Wherever we establish a market presence, a service centre field performance and range at a competitive price. is not far away. All Cessna’s facilities, be they Cessna owned or autho- UNMATCHED SERVICE NETWORK rised, have to meet a certain standard of personnel, training, Cessna initially built a large service network in the US with facilities and spare parts. In general, every $1 invested in an some nine factory-owned service stations, giving us a cover- aircraft is worthwhile, certainly when it comes to the time of age in the continental US that is unmatched by any of our resale a Cessna or Cessna approved service history certainly competitors. This philosophy subsequently spread to outside adds to the resale value. the US, including Paris Le Bourget, with plans well underway to add a further Cessna-owned facility in Valencia, Spain. In MSU, GO TEAMS & ART addition Cessna has a further 12 authorised facilities in Eu- Once the owner has taken delivery of the new aircraft, Cess- rope (six alone in Germany) to support a 1,000-plus Citation na can offer a significant number of “power by the hour” fleet in the European Union. Authorised facilities are main- programmes that cover everything, from the engines, avion- tained in the Middle East, South Africa, India, Singapore and ics and systems parts, consumables (brakes and tires), APU Australia as well as several countries in Latin America, with and even the maintenance labour expended on the aircraft.

SERVICE AT YOUR DOORSTEP

YOU CAN JUDGE AN AIRCRAFT BY neers oversee the activity in their specific regions. They are there as THE BEAUTY OF ITS SERVICE DEPARTMENT resources for you and the people working on your aircraft, making sure every question is answered, every problem is solved, and that nfortunately, far too many buyers find themselves in a black you are completely satisfied at every visit. hole of customer support after they’ve made their purchase— Getting down to specifics, the Citation Service network offers Uwhen it’s too late. At Cessna’s Citation Service Centers, things you an even finer service focus by aligning customers with subject are different. The two factors that repeat buyers cite for choosing an- matter experts. Each subject matter expert is responsible for devel- other Citation are the quality of the aircraft, and just as importantly, oping expertise in just one particular Citation model, so whenever the on-going support they receive in keeping their Citation flying. necessary, you’ll have a “specialist” operating on your aircraft. That support comes in a variety of services and programmes, including an extensive service and parts network, aviation’s most CESCOM comprehensive group of cost management programmes, 24/7 hot A computerised aircraft maintenance tracking service, CESCOM lines, Field Service Engineers, Personal Service Representatives, provides the necessary information to maintain the performance, and, of course, the most tenured crew of mechanics in all of aviation. safety, and value of your Citation. You’ll have immediate access to Choose a Citation, and the people of the Citation Service Network Service Bulletins, Maintenance Manual updates, as well as the status sign-on as your flight crew—not just for the sales “honeymoon”, but of the aircraft’s major inspections. Supported by all domestic Cess- for the long haul. na-operated Citation Service Centers and recognised for accuracy by Turns out avoiding the buyer’s remorse of aircraft acquisition is regulatory agencies worldwide, CESCOM electronically stores Main- really pretty simple: buy a Citation. tenance Transaction Report forms submitted online for redundancy and safety. The reports are always available to you to receive and Citation Service Centers print at your convenience. Ten Citation Service Centers and 24 Authorized Citation Service Cen- CESCOM tracking and verification adds value now as you main- ters worldwide focus their attention, training, and tools exclusively tain your Citation, and documents the aircraft’s integrity at resale. on the maintenance and repair of Citations. The promise made to And enrollment the first year is free with the purchase of you’re customers is simple: we will serve and support you with a level of aircraft. service that surpasses that of any other centre. Because that’s ex- actly what you as a Citation owner deserve. ProAdvantage Programmes During service visits, one Customer Service Representative will ProAdvantage enables you to level and even reduce the costs of be dedicated to: guide you through status updates, clarify financial maintaining a Citation, precisely, and predictably. With the Cita- questions, and even assist with lodging and meals. And if you can’t tion ProAdvantage Programmes, accurate budget forecasting is as get to a Citation Service Center, the centre will come to you. Citation’s simple as averaging your accrual of flight hours. Programme ex- new Mobile Service Unit brings the tools and equipment of a brick- penses are based on that one figure, providing you a fixed monthly and-mortar center right to your hangar (Taneja Aerospace at Hosur, cost, which covers your aircraft from nose to tail. ProAdvantage lets near Bangalore is our India-based service provider). you plan for and budget maintenance expenditures months or even years in advance. Customer Service Included under the ProAdvantage umbrella are: Responsible to the customer, Cessna’s aim is to service Citations, an- • ProParts and ProNav coverage for the aircraft swer queries, issue alerts of updates and bulletins, maintain invest- • PowerAdvantage, PowerAdvantage Plus, and ProIgnition cov- ment and protect valuable time. The company’s Hot Line is staffed erage for the aircraft’s engine 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by people who • AuxAdvantage coverage for the aircraft’s APU are aviation-smart and customer-responsive. • ProTech coverage for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance Bringing solutions closer to home, Citation Field Service Engi- costs •

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 29 CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION ECONOMICS

In Cessna’s vernacular these are PowerAdvantage, ProParts, AuxAdvantage and Protech, respectively. In that way our owners can accurately budget costs throughout the life of the aircraft. In the case of ProParts, we offer a percentage “cash back” facility at the end of the contract period (an “efficiency bonus”) if spare parts cost less over the 5 year period than actually paid in. This is one small way in which we add to the ownership experience. In May 2007 Cessna launched a new concept unique to the main OEMs in business aviation. In the US, we have now equipped several Mobile Service Units (MSUs) that will travel to a customer’s location to carry out service in situ. The MSU carries everything you would expect to see in a permanent facility—enough for small and medium scheduled maintenance. In addition, Cessna has its “Go teams” to support AOG issues, as well as (in the US) an Air Response Team (ART) with a dedicated aircraft to fly spare parts and/or maintenance techni- FAQs on MSU

A new concept in aviation customer service, Citation Service Centers’ Mobile Service Units (MSU) are medium duty trucks stocked with tools, parts and manuals for on-site, in-hangar I AM VERY IMPRESSED BY THE (CESSNA) MOBILE SERVICE inspections, overhauls and repair UNIT; IT’S A GREAT RESOURCE FOR SMALL OPERATORS LIKE US WHO RELY ON LOCAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE. FOR SPECIALIZED CARE THAT ONLY THE MANUFACTURER Q: What are the charges for and built to accomplish a CAN PROVIDE, THE MSU IS A COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO using the MSU? wide range of services. It is BRING THE SERVICE CENTRE TO THE AIRPLANE RATHER A: Mileage is charged for service equipped with the tools nec- THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND. at locations more than twenty essary for small and medium —MATT NASH, miles from the MSUs base of scheduled maintenance (Phase WESTAIR CORPORATION operation. For scheduled mainte- 4 & below.) Each MSU carries nance, there is a daily setup fee its own ground power unit and of $100 (Rs 4,760). Typically, two compressor, Universal hydrau- technicians accompany the unit. lic mule, complete sets of Maintenance scheduled jacks for every Citation model, cians for urgent requirements. The MSU, Go teams and ART through a Citation Service Cen- rear-mounted Tommy Lift, and are all part of a refinement of our service capabilities. ter, by Friday of the week prior a hoist capable of removing a For our international customers, in addition to the service to when the work is to occur, is Citation X engine. The MSU is centre network and related Field Service Engineers, Cessna referred to as “scheduled main- not available for major inspec- is also looking at ways to improve distribution of spare parts. tenance”. When the MSU is de- tions that would tie up the Unit Recently it was decided to add a facility (to be shared with ployed in this scenario, standard for long periods of time. Bell helicopter) in Schipol Airport to promote rapid deploy- scheduled maintenance labor ment of spare parts in the EU. A similar option is being con- charges apply. Q: How large an area will sidered for Asia as our fleet continues to grow. In addition For maintenance sched- each MSU serve? we are also looking at establishing a Satellite Inventory Sys- uled the same week the work A: The MSU is available for ser- tem (a system already in place in the US) with our European is to occur (known as unsched- vice on all Citations within one service partners to improve parts readiness and interchange uled maintenance,) a travel day drive of its home base. In between the various facilities. In addition it is probable that shop rate will be charged. lieu of the MSU, customers Europe will also see the roll out of MSUs over time. may opt to have a technician In short, Cessna has followed four simple guidelines: one, Q: Is the MSU available for travel from the home base Ci- get the aircraft design right the first time and “build in” reli- warranty work? tation Service Center. ability and ease of service to keep ownership costs down; A: Yes. The MSU technicians two, build a strong factory-owned service capability, and in- can perform warranty work Q: Where will additional MSUs ternationally augment that with strong affiliates; three, pro- and for AOG service, the mile- be based in the future? vide the owners with all options to lock down the fixed costs age and setup charges are A: To select an MSU base of of maintaining a Citation in an efficient and cost effective covered by either standard or operation, Citation looks for cit- way, and thereby enhance the residual value of a Citation; policy warranty. ies that are not already home and four, refine the customer support product offerings with to a Citation Service Center, novel enhancements like the MSU. We feel our approach has Q: What are the capabilities are frequent destinations, and been a strong differentiator in providing service to our cus- of the MSU? have a high concentration of tomers, as well as providing a sound reason to buy a new or A: The MSU was designed based aircraft. used Citation in the first instance. SP

30 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION

$ense & $urvival Continued from page 27 ter, it does paint a rosy picture of vastly expanded reach. For a variety of reasons, it appears that owning a business Is the cost of ownership irrelevant then? Business jets are jet is passé and charter or jet card plans are swiftly becoming effective time savers and time is a vital business resource. It is the methods of choice. Chartering a plane is as simple as book- not that costs don’t signify. In fact, cost sensitivity is the basis ing a taxi. For example, Virgin Charter allows clients to submit of the various models offering alternative access to business a trip request online, receive real-time pricing, compare offers aviation: full aircraft ownership, joint ownership, co-owner- from top charter operators, select the best offer and buy it ship, fractional ownership, interchange agreements, leasing, online. Card plans are the most flexible because they require charter, and time-sharing. Cost-effectiveness is an essential no upfront purchase or commitment beyond the price of the parameter of the decision matrix. number of hours on the card, yet card holders are treated like For instance, Travel$ense is a simple computer programme fractional owners. Bombardier Skyjet pioneered online book- that helps determine whether using the airline or a business ing of private jets and introduced the Skyjet Card. Skyjet Card, jet is more logical. If journeys to multiple cities are involved with its simple debit-card format, offers guaranteed availabil- especially those with limited scheduled service, the business ity with advance reservation. There is no further capital cost, jet wins hands down. Some may be tempted to do a straight monthly maintenance, positioning charges or obligations. price comparison with scheduled business class travel. In re- To own or not to own? Several factors determine the type of ality, the price gap is often smaller than expected especially ownership best suited to a particular enterprise. These include for larger groups. Factoring in savings on night halts, hotel the approximate number of hours required per year and the accommodation, meals and contingent expenses presents a number of people typically on board. If travel requirements are more compelling picture. Consider also the savings in salaries light there is nothing like a simple charter. Projected require- for the wasted days and the opportunity cost of tying up key ments of close to 25 hours per year are best met by purchasing personnel for so long and business jets become a pretty good a jet card. However, beyond 25 hours of travel and certainly be- option. The bottom line is that business aviation is the right tween 50 and 200 hours, fractional ownership is the most sen- choice when time is of essence and frequently makes all the sible. It is only the big companies likely to need over 400 flight- difference between an opportunity seized or lost. hours per year that need to think about buying their own jets.

TO OWN OR NOT TO OWN STING OFF THE PRICE TAG A company that wishes to exploit business jets has several op- A key aim of business aviation is to reduce costs and make tions. The traditional ownership model guarantees availability it comparable with scheduled commercial service. However, but implies very heavy costs per hour if at least 300, prefer- few private jet owners can utilise the 400 hours or so essential ably 400 or more flight-hours per year per jet cannot be used. for it to be a cost-effective asset. If they are financially secure Besides, ownership has problems such as the need for man- and don’t lose sleep over this, it is just as well. Owners who agement attention, the lack of ability to optimize the aircraft assume that charter revenues would help defray costs of un- selected for a particular trip as also the possible shortfall of derutilised aircraft will probably be disappointed. The large asset utilisation leading to prohibitive per hour costs. initial investment is unlikely to be compensated for even if the Some ownership issues are sorted out by programmes like aircraft is chartered out around 100 hours a year. XO Jet lease. As XO Jet’s David Siegel claims, “What we offer is The ability of professionally run companies to achieve the ability to have a much lower capital commitment, and we’ll economies of scale from managing scores of aircraft allows sell you a product that is much more flexible. Our costs are them to pass on much of the cost savings to customers who lower because we’re buying an aircraft type in large volume need only limited flying time. Consequently, both stand to ben- and financing it in large volume, and we have the economy of efit and the life-changing personal benefits of aircraft ‘owner- scale in our operations. Our business model is more efficient, ship’ become affordable to more and more people. A host of which lowers our costs and we pass that on to the customer.” alternative plans now provide approximately the same cost Then there is fractional ownership, the brainchild of Rich- per flight-hour as traditional ownership with 400 hours of ard Santulli, who formed NetJets in the mid-1980s. It is gener- use. Leasing, charter, or card programmes avoid the complex- ally available in increments from one-sixteenth of a share up ity of maintaining and operating a business jet including the to half a share. It entails lower upfront costs, generally lower need to hire additional personnel. These enable companies to hourly costs and fewer management demands. However, vari- access quality business jet service without the investment and ations from a programme’s contractual terms can be expen- management costs associated with ownership, and without sive. Also, the jet has to be shared with other fractional owners entering the somewhat volatile used-jet market. who may need it on the same day, resulting in longer request Business aviation is grappling with enormous challenges periods or limited access during ‘peak days’. Good fractional that are likely to intensify in future. One of the stated goals of ownership programmes unconditionally guarantee that either the new American government is to seek ‘sustainable’ alterna- the same jet or a comparable one will be available whenever tives to air travel. That could include some curbs on private required. Usually residual value—the amount of money one jets. Should owners rush for the exits and divest themselves of would expect to recoup on the initial aircraft investment if the their jets while they can? It would be wiser, perhaps, to hang jet were sold at the end of the contractual period at the fair on and weather the storm. Business jets are too effective to be market value—cannot be counted on. However, Cessna, which ditched. A Cessna ad puts it succinctly, “One thing is certain: leads the light jet market with its Citation models, now guar- true visionaries will continue to fly.” As surely as night follows antees buyers the repurchase of their used Cessna Citations. day, business jets will be back in vogue. SP

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 31 CIVILCIVIL BUSINESSBUSINESS AVIATION AVIATION

WE VALUE YOUR TIME: GULFSTREAM PLANES HAVE ETCHED AN INDELIBLE MARK IN BUSINESS AVIATION (SEEN HERE IS THE G150 INTERIOR) Record Record On On

Gulfstream Your Office in the Sky A Gulfstream business jet cabin is as functional as any office or boardroom

OR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, business jets have proven themselves to be an essential operating tool for companies of every size. That is By especially true of Gulfstream aircraft. Gulfstream Roger Sperry, jets can take off and land at approximately 5,000 Division Vice airports across the US. Commercial airlines, on

GULFSTREAM the other hand, are limited to approximately 500 airports. : President, FThis accessibility is a must for industrialists and corpo- International rates. Gulfstream aircraft have another advantage: these Sales, can be flown at higher altitudes than commercial airlines,

PHOTOGRAPHS Gulfstream which essentially translates to avoiding air-traffic conges-

32 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net CIVIL BUSINESS AVIATION

tion and adverse weather. Product support is crucial to op- No need to show up 90 minutes erators of Gulfstream aircraft. Not before a flight departs; no lost bag- BOOST TO BUSINESS: GULFSTREAM only does Gulfstream have the larg- PLANS TO FLY THE G650 (INSET) gage; no misplaced documents. You OFFERING INCREDIBLE SETUP est company-owned product support have everything with you when network in business aviation—3,000 Gulfstream you take off and land. As they say, employees—but no other business- “Time is money.” Business jets are essentially time machines jet manufacturer offers a wider range of services, enhance- that increase productivity, thereby generating greater finan- ments, spares, support functions and technical publications. cial returns for a company. Despite the one-two punch of a turbulent economy and ac- To expound on that efficiency, Gulfstream takes the “of- companying media hyperbole of corporate extravagance, the Your in the Sky fice in the sky” model for business aviation to a new level. industry is still standing—and fighting back. For those of you With technology such as Broad Band Multi-Link, a Gulf- who think The Sudden Demise of Business Aviation will be Office stream business jet cabin is as functional as any office or among the course offerings at business schools next year, here boardroom. Employees can use their BlackBerry, laptop and are some figures to ponder on: more than 10,000 companies cellphone; conduct phone and/or video conferences; and across the US, about 85 per cent of which are small or midsize, print or fax content to their shareholders. Not to be over- use business jets. Simply put, business aviation is here to stay. looked is the privacy in which an employee can do business. Gulfstream planes have etched an indelible mark in busi- Client or employee meetings can be held without the risk of ness aviation because of their range and speed. The popular being overheard; proprietary information can be shared. Gulfstream G550 has a range of 6,750 nautical miles, which Jet lag is not a problem for those flying Gulfstream air- means it can easily link Sydney with Delhi; London with craft. Gulfstream cabins use 100 per cent fresh air, that com- Mumbai; and Paris with Bangalore. Speed is not sacrificed. bats fatigue and illness. They are also quiet, comfortable and The G550 can fly 6,750 nautical miles at Mach 0.80 and has come with panoramic windows, which allow in more light. a high-speed cruise capability of Mach 0.87. The bottom line: when an employee gets off the plane, he or In an effort that’s sure to raise the bar, Gulfstream plans she is ready to hit the ground running. to fly its state-of-the-art G650 by the end of the year. The Gulfstream aircraft are also renowned for inherent safe- G650 is poised to be the ultimate in purpose-built business ty features. Many planes are equipped with technology such jets. Not only does it offer the largest and quietest cabin in as PlaneView, the most advanced flight deck in existence; its class, it has the longest range, fastest speed and the most PlaneBook, a preloaded tablet computer that provides pi- technologically advanced aircraft systems. Business travel lots with immediate access to critical flight information; will never be the same again. and PlaneConnect, a data link that automatically transmits For 50 years, Gulfstream Aerospace has held a promi- aircraft maintenance information from airborne-PlaneView- nent place in the industry, and its commitment and ingenuity equipped jets to ground-based operations centres. ensures that it will be there another 50 years. SP

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 33 SHOW PREVIEW PARIS AIR SHOW ’09

ALL Eyes On LE BOURGET

This year, the event will mark 100 years of technological

By Sangeeta Saxena, innovation in Chief Special Correspondent, aeronautics and New Delhi space conquest

une 15, 2009. A landmark day for global aviation (GIFAS), the event serves as a platform to demonstrate mili- industry when all roads lead to Le Bourget, Paris. tary and civilian aircraft to potential customers. More than 150 aircraft showcased by 2,000 exhibi- With almost 400,000 admissions in seven days, Le tors draw government delegations from every na- Bourget hosts an event not to be missed. One of the largest tion that matters, media the world over and an au- aircraft shows in the world, the Paris Air Show has been dience of thousands to the International Paris Air held biannually for the last 100 years. In 2007, there were Show. Organised by the French aerospace industry’s Groupe- over 142 aircraft on display and 1,996 exhibitors from

PHOTOGRAPHS: SP GUIDE PUBNS/ ESA Jment des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales 42 countries represented. This year, the show will mark a

34 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net Untitled-1 1 5/28/09 5:27:08 PM SHOW PREVIEW PARIS AIR SHOW ’09

and institutional contractors. Ini- tiated in 2007, these interactions have generated 6,000 individual and pre-organised appointments.

PAST FORWARD Paris Air Show traces its history back to the first decade of the 20th century. In 1908, there was a section of the Paris Automobile Show dedicated to aircraft, and from 1909 there was an air show, held at the Grand Palais. There were four further shows before the First World War. The show re-started in 1919, and from 1924 it was held every two years. Interrupted by the Second World War, the shows re-started in 1946. Since 1949, the event is held in every odd-numbered year. The air shows continued to be held at the Grand Palais, and from 1949 flying demonstrations were staged at Orly Airport. In 1953, the show was relocated from the Grand Palais to Le Bourget. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the show emerged as a hundred years of technologi- GOING STRONG: PARIS AIR powerful international rival to the Farnborough Air Show. cal innovation in aeronautics SHOW CONTINUES TO LAY The 1971 show featured a full scale mock-up of an Airbus CLAIM TO THE DISTINCTION OF and space conquest. BEING THE WORLD’S LEADING 300 and the 1973 show the new DC-10 and Lockheed Tri- Le Bourget attracts exhibi- AEROSPACE EXPOSITION star. The show suffered its worst accident in 1973 when a tors and participants repre- Tupolev Tu-144 (Russian equivalent of the Anglo-French senting companies ranging Concorde) crashed, killing the six crew and eight people from small manufacturers to on the ground. large multinational corporations. These participants come Besides displaying all that is new in the aviation indus- from all sectors of the aerospace industry, including aircraft try, the Paris Air Show showcases the key historic achieve- manufacture, assembly, government/administrations, armed ments in the field. Open initially to trade, the show welcomes forces, air transport, subcontractors (mechanical engineering the public during the closing weekend. Attractions include and composite materials), aircraft interiors, airborne equip- impressive flying displays and exhibitions showcasing the ment and systems, maintenance, product support and spares, latest cutting-edge technologies in the aircraft industry. The propulsion system manufacturers, services such as training, French Air Force contributes a large number of military air- finance and aviation publications. craft to the flying displays and also puts on a show of their own. The Air and Space Museum’s permanent collections are B2B MEETINGS & INTERACTIONS open throughout the show. This popular event attracts about June 16 to 18, entrepreneurs from the aerospace sector make 500,000 people each year. the most of the opportunity to meet and interact with the industry’s most influential players through customised, targeted INDIAN PRESENCE B2B meetings. Companies converge to identify new business Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry partners, meet suppliers and buyers and also find technology (FICCI) spokesperson Vinay Mathur confirmed that a joint del- partners for joint R&D projects or technology transfers. egation of officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI Organisers emphasise the goal of such meetings is to op- would be attending the Paris air show. He stressed that the timise and save time at the show with planned meetings, visit is primarily for supporting the aviation sector in India and spot companies among the 2,000 exhibitors, with profiles for promoting India Aviation 2010. As per Amit Kumar Singh, responding to specific needs and applications, request meet- spokesperson of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) there ings with potential partners, identify new contacts for estab- will be a representation on the part of their members. lishing fresh ties and technological cooperation, and lead On the other hand, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited a workshop and to present individual purchase strategy to and other public sector companies of the aviation indus- suppliers. Individuals or companies implementing projects try plan to send their representations to the show even as related to aerospace sector, and managers and directors for the vastly spread private sector will be out in full strength procurement, technical matters, R&D, production, quality to represent India Inc.. SP

36 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net MILITARY LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16IN Record On Experience it, FIRST-HAND strike fighter is a fighter reviewed. Now it is time to go attack aircraft that is capable and destroy the target! of attacking both air and Pre-flight preparation of the F-16IN surface targets. It differs Super Viper is rapidly accomplished, from an attack aircraft in even though your strike fighter is config- Athat the strike fighter is also a capa- ured with two precision guided stand-off ble air combat fighter. The Indian Air weapons, a full set of close-in and beyond Force’s (IAF) tender for the Medium line-of-sight air-to-air missiles for self-de- Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) fence, and a full set of external tanks. All programme calls for a strike fighter to weapons and pre-flight gauges are easy to replace aged aircraft and improve the see and there is no need for maintenance combat effectiveness of the IAF fighter ladders or stands. The mission planning By Orville Prins force structure. The F-16IN Super Vi- data you have prepared is automatically per meets or exceeds the challenging Vice President, loaded into the advanced mission com- strike fighter requirements, delivered Business Development, puter via the cockpit receptacle. within a timely, low-risk programme Lockheed Martin, India tuned for India’s defence industry. INSIDE THE COCKPIT The Super Viper is the ultimate Fourth Control of the agile F-16IN Super Viper Generation fighter, melding advanced fighter is with your right hand on the Fifth Generation capabilities with the Delineating the side-stick controller. There is no cumber- F-16’s combat-proven performance, some “stick” in the middle of the cock- reliability and maintainability. STRIKE ROLE pit blocking your view of the displays. Powering up the cockpit, you have an SIMULATING A FIGHT CAPABILITIES unobstructed view of the fully integrated Imagine yourself as a Wing Command- of the F-16IN cockpit displays. Each of the three main er preparing to lead a strike fighter 12.7 x 17.8 cm full colour displays is fully mission. Your target: a weapons depot Super Viper programmable, reflecting selections you deep inside enemy territory. The ability made during your mission planning. For to reach the full set of enemy target ar- every system, weapon, and sensor there eas is crucial to success of any air cam- is a preset mode of your choosing. Vital paign. The F-16IN meets and exceeds all MMRCA radius of for today’s attack is the “all-in-one” Tactical Situation Display action and loiter time requirements, ensuring that you can (TSD) you have configured on the centre display. put any enemy target “at risk”. Learning that the target is After take-off, you settle into the seat optimised for fight- guarded by modern surface and air threats, you commence er combat and concentrate on the mission. This mission will preparations at your computer-based Mission Planning Sys- be flown at low altitude—too low for aerial refueling—but tem with the confidence that the F-16IN Super Viper—cus- the high fuel-to-weight ratio of the F-16IN design provides tom designed for the IAF and its missions—is the fighter plenty of range to fly your pre-planned mission route and for any challenge. All the data is there at your fingertips to navigate through any unforeseen diversions. As you pen- optimise this mission. etrate enemy airspace, you are flying at 30 m altitude, on Using a predicted Electronic Order of Battle (EOB), auto-pilot, using radar terrain following backed up with a digital maps of the terrain, and key intelligence data, you passive digital terrain database. Nap of the Earth flight at quickly determine the flight route to and from the target. 480 knots—nearly 900 km/hour! Your mission data is shared across a network with your The field-proven Active Electronically Scanned Array squadron mates and soon all routes for the multiple fight- (AESA) radar scans the flight corridor in front of you to detect ers in the strike “package” are optimised and coordinated. terrain and obstacles like radio masts that may not have been Synthetic imagery and maps, predicting what each pilot in your pre-mission database. While conducting terrain follow-

PHOTOGRAPHS: LOCKHEED MARTIN/ SP GUIDE PUBNS expects to encounter during the mission, are created and ing, the AESA radar is also scanning the sky for threat fighters.

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 37 MILITARY LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16IN

Only a few airborne contacts so far, over 100 km out. Viewing Weapon release! You take control of the fighter and turn your TSD, you see that these contacts appear to be orbiting away from the enemy bogies. Your sensors show the enemy overhead an enemy air base. An exchange of data link symbols fighters are bearing down on you at Mach 1.4. Two new lets you confirm the other fighters in your strike mission have SAM radars have popped up. The TSD on that center display also detected the contacts. is your best friend now. Everything is displayed together; it is the ultimate fusion of data into a presentation for the pilot FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE ENEMY to quickly read and understand. Soon you encounter the first of the enemy air defence con- You use the situation awareness fusion of the F-16IN Su- centrations. You visualise the pre-mission threat locations per Viper to manoeuvre your way around the new threats, on the TSD in yellow, with rings indicated their lethal range. the terrain following and avoidance systems to reduce your Your planned flight route weaves in, around, and through exposure, the missile warning system to guide your evasion them. Your digital integrated electronic warfare system manoeuvres. The enemy fighters have turned away from you (EWS) is listening for any enemy radar or laser emissions, and you climb now to gain more real time situation aware- programmed especially for this mission and these threats. ness with your passive and active sensors. The noise in your headset alerts you. A surface-to-air Your data link now shows that two of your squadron mates missile battery has activated its radar, attempting to lock-on are engaging the enemy bogies while evading ground threats. to your strike fighter. The radar cross section of your F-16IN You see the bogies turn to defeat the engagement and with a Super Viper is small, and its single high-bypass turbofan en- glance at the TSD you instantly visualise that you now have the gine produces less heat than a twin-engine fighter. Hence, best firing solution on these targets. With a few simple switch it is extremely difficult for the threat to track your strike movements, you have detailed tracking data on the bogies; fighter deftly and safely flying this low and “in the clutter”. your long-range missiles are ready. The TSD provides that final The EWS detects and identifies a new threat and locates its step before firing; it gives you all the data needed to confirm position. It is not in any of the pre-mission locations and you meet the vital rules of target engagement. your planned route of flight is taking you toward the newly The AESA radar is providing track quality data even detected threat. Using your hands-on-throttle-and-stick con- while maintaining the search mode you commanded to en- trols, you alter your route of flight by selecting the nearest sure no other bandits pop up. Your missiles are away now steerpoint of your navigation route and “drag” the point out and you have clear indications of their status and times to of the lethality ring of this new threat. impact. The symbology data linked into the cockpits of your Satisfied that your mission route now goes around the pop- squadron mates informs them of your engagement with the up threat, you accept the new point and it is computed into the enemy and they move in to support you. The bogies are soon overall mission flight plan. You feel the fighter accelerate as the “splashed”; they ventured too fast and too deep into your auto-throttle voluntarily adjusts groundspeed to maintain your strike formation and the shared situation awareness of the pre-mission time on target. You designate the new steerpoint Super Vipers sealed their fate. for transmission via datalink so that other members of the strike package will know your route has been modified. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, GET SET FOR THE NEXT The EWS is not jamming the threat, there is no need now, As you land back at the base, having flown over 1,000 km but you have deployed your towed decoy just in case there is at low altitude without aerial refueling, the next mission for no warning the next time a threat pops-up. Flying this low the your strike fighter is already being planned. Turn around threat rings on the display are showing a lot of terrain mask- time for an F-16IN Super Viper is incredibly fast. The supe- ing, and as you approach the target area the masking of your rior reliability and ease of maintainability has been demon- path from threat radars is the best it can be. But you lose that strated in over 400,000 combat flight hours. masking for a short while as you start a quick climb to gain Grabbing your mission data cartridge, you debrief, confi- line of sight to the target and obtain a synthetic aperture radar dent that everything vital that occurred during the mission was (SAR) map. The threat radars reach out to find you. recorded: the emission parameters and locations of those pop- You take evasive action and dive back down “in the up air defense radars and fighters, the SAR maps you generat- weeds”. You are grateful for the easy handling Super Viper, ed, the weapon launch parameters; the intelligence is captured even with this heavy external load (the F-16IN can carry and disseminated on the network. The next strike aircrews over 60 per cent more external load than the MMRCA re- transiting that threat arena will be even better prepared based quirement) it responds as a fighter should. You examine the upon your success. ultra high resolution SAR map you obtained during your All this capability is just a small part of what the F-16IN pop-up manoeuvre. Your aimpoints stand out clearly. Super Viper can do. This extraordinary weapon system de- livers a capability the IAF can rely upon today and for de- TARGET IN SIGHT, WEAPON AT HAND cades to come. SP Your internal digital jammer is requesting consent to go active now. With a flick of a finger it starts jamming multiple The author is a graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons threats with deceptive techniques. You pass the initial point School (Topgun) and the USAF Adversary Tactics Instruc- of the target attack and the autopilot has commanded an ac- tor School, and has flown more than 3,000 hours in 14 dif- celeration to weapon release speed. The EWS is displaying ferent tactical aircraft. In addition to corporate experience, threat indications all around you now. Your radar and in- his military assignments include Project Test Pilot, Opera- fra-red systems tell you those enemy fighters are no longer tions, Weapons and Air Combat Training, Logistics and Ad- orbiting but headed toward you and your squadron mates. ministration, Quality Assurance and Maintenance.

38 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net MILITARY MMRCA

Q&A Q&A

Dr Vivek Lall, Stefan Billep, Vice-President and India Head, Country Head, Boeing IDS Euroﬁghter Typhoon, India

‘Boeing ready to share RFP speciﬁed technologies’

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): With the technical evaluation over, what are your chances of clinching the deal? Dr Vivek Lall (Dr Lall): We hope to be invited to the field trials in order to demonstrate the F/A-18IN Super Hornet’s outstanding strengths and capabilities. ‘Typhoon comes with twin SP’s: How is the F/A-18IN better than the fighter aircraft offered by your competitors? engine, very good payload’ Dr Lall: The F/A-18IN Super Hornet offers India the most advanced see-all, do-all combat fighter in production today, capable of defending the nation from the Hima- layas to the Indian Ocean with unmatched lethality, pilot safety and the promise of SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How is your product better than your competitors’? 30-plus years of US Navy-funded upgrades. Further, the Super Hornet’s Life Cycle Stefan Billep (Billep): It has the advantage of a twin engine aircraft with the Cost will meet India’s expressed need for low total ownership cost based on demon- powerful EJ200 engine and a very good payload. Its manoeuvrability, agil- strated high reliability, ease of maintenance and minimal support infrastructure. ity and adaptability is outstanding. Eurofighter Typhoon represents a cost versus design ratio which should be the best of all. The level of survivability SP’s: How is it suitable for India’s military requirements? and the technology we have used is second to none. Eurofighter is without Dr Lall: The Boeing proposal, offering the F/A-18IN Super Hornet, we believe exaggeration the most modern aircraft available on the world market and meets or exceeds many of the requirements set out on the request for proposal will be state-of-the-art for at least the next forty years. (RFP). The Super Hornet will provide the Indian Air Force with a tactically superior and combat proven multi-role combat capability. The Super Hornet’s exceptional SP’s: Is it more suitable to the Indian Air Force’s requirement and how? warfighting capability is further enhanced by its renowned reliability, ease of main- Billep: We are absolutely convinced that we can achieve all requirements of the tenance, and exceptional operational availability—all of which contribute to its IAF. Eurofighter Typhoon will be the most powerful combat aircraft for hot and high low Life Cycle Cost. The Super Hornet includes the latest generation of military altitude operations, which we feel is a major requirement of the IAF. Our proposal technologies. Key technologies, such as its advanced Active Electronically Scanned to the MoD is most appealing and offers India enormous political, industrial and Array Radar, are operational with the USN, which will result in lower programme operational benefits. development and schedule risks than other competing aircraft. The aircraft is projected to be in service with the USN beyond 2035, thereby ensuring the IAF avail- SP’s: Explain your stand on the offset clause and transfer of technology? ability of spares and repairables for long-term support. Billep: Of course, we will respect the offset clause. We have delivered a very attractive technology package which is fully compliant with the offset SP’s: Any comments on the offset clause and transfer of technology (ToT)? clause. As far as Transfer of Technology (ToT) is concerned, it is a challenge Dr Lall: While we acknowledge the complexities and challenges of India’s offset for all competitors. In our view, ToT will happen in an incremental way rang- requirements, Boeing views it as an opportunity to bring long-term mutually ben- ing from support to build up a final assembly line in India to full transfer eficial business and industrial benefits to India and to Boeing. To date, Boeing has of technology and license production. In between, we have sold Eurofighter successfully met or exceeded more than $29 billion (Rs 1,44,655 crore) in offsets Typhoon to Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy as well as to Saudi in more than 40 countries, and we’re anxious to bring that same experience and Arabia and Austria. These countries can be asked for our professionalism the same results to India. and customer support.

SP’s: Is Boeing ready to share all technologies with India? SP’s: So there are no plans to set aside these two clauses in the event Dr Lall: Boeing is prepared, in conformance with US law and regulations, to share of being awarded the contract? all technologies called for by the Government of India in the MMRCA RFP. Billep: Not at all. We are fully committed to fulfill all requirements of the RFP.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHARAD SAXENA - SP GUIDE PUBNS — Sangeeta Saxena — Sangeeta Saxena

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 39 MILITARY BOOK REVIEW

An ICON UNVEILED

village boy’s fascination for flying transported him Arjan Singh’s career witnessed a meteoric rise, culminating not only to the pinnacle of his profession as an In- in his appointment as the CAS just a few months before the A dian Air Force (IAF) pilot, but also bequeathed him 1965 war with Pakistan. the title of a living legend. The Icon, however, captures Later, Pakistan claimed it had won the air war, a view not just the journey of a man who has, literally, been ‘the the official Indian history partly endorses. The book, how- icon’ of the air force, but also the history of a family called ever, categorically debunks this well-entrenched myth the IAF. Brilliantly written by Air Commodore (Retd) Jasjit with hard facts and figures to show that the IAF outper- Singh in his now trademark fluent style, The Icon is an formed the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in all vital param- authorised biography of Arjan Singh who joined the IAF eters of warfare. The sore point was lack of joint planning, as a teenager, at the time of World War II, and rose to including lack of timely sharing of information which may be the sole Marshal of the Indian Air Force—the highest have also resulted in inadequate awareness/sub-optimal military rank attainable which prior to him only two Indi- preparedness in some of the field areas. If the IAF had not an Army Chiefs, K.M. Cariappa and incurred more than half of its total Sam Manekshaw, had achieved. losses in aircraft on the ground (35 The Icon also helps put the records out of the total of 59), attributable straight in matters pertaining to the partly to lack of early warning but 1962 and 1965 wars India fought mostly due to inadequate dispersal with China and Pakistan, respective- and deception, besides carelessness ly. Arjan Singh participated in all the and complacency at some of the air wars fought by the Royal Indian Air bases, the story would have been Force (later IAF), from Waziristan in vastly different. Air Commodore NWFP, all through to the 1965 Indo- (Retd) Singh is emphatic is his as- Pak War, which he led from the top sertion that after the initial reversals as Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). Show- due to aircraft losses on the ground, casing his exceptional professional, the Indians turned the tide of the air leadership and humane qualities, war with the PAF losing aircraft at one of the numerous instances docu- nearly three times the rate of the IAF mented in the book reads: “A classic during the later stages of the war. example was of retrieving Ghulam Honoured with the Padma Vib- Ali—the tail gunner of his disabled hushan, Arjan Singh also became aircraft which he had crash-landed The Icon—An the first Indian to be promoted to the on a river bed in NWFP after being rank of Air Chief Marshal. After re- hit by the tribal’s bullets—and who, Authorised Biography tirement from the IAF when he was in a state of post crash disorientation barely 50 years old, he continued to was running in the opposite direc- of Marshal of the be called upon to render his services tion towards the hostile tribals. Even Indian Air Force to the nation, both in the diplomatic though injured himself, the athletic and political arena. On January 26, young flier was quickly able to catch Arjan Singh, DFC; 2002, he was conferred the ultimate up with Ali and bring him back to the distinction—Marshal of the Indian safety of own troops.” by Air Commodore Air Force. A fearless pilot and bold com- Jasjit Singh AVSM, VrC, Air Commodore (Retd) Singh, mander, Arjan Singh’s exploits as the himself a Padma Bhushan awardee Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squad- VM (Retd); published for a life-time contribution to na- ron in the defence of Imphal in 1944 by KW Publishers Pvt tional defence and security, was rac- against the Japanese were bestowed ing against time for the release of unprecedented recognition by Lord Ltd in association with the book precisely on the Marshal’s Mountbatton, Supreme Commander 90th birthday. Unputdownable, the South East Asia and later the Vice- Centre for Air Power book is a must read not only for all roy, who personally pinned the Dis- Studies (New Delhi); practitioners of the profession of tinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on the arms, but also bureaucrats and their young commander’s chest on the tar- price: Rs 880/$25 political masters. SP mac of Imphal airfield when it was still under siege. Post Independence, —Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia

40 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net MILITARY EQUIPMENT Radar Resonance for RAFALE Dassault Aviation opts for the RBE2 AESA from Thales for its omni role ﬁghter aircraft

By Our Special Correspondent

ecording a hat-trick for Thales Aerospace Solutions, agency, DGA, are over. At the demonstration, three prototype Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and now France radars were flown progressively on a Dassault Falcon20 busi- Rhave confirmed the procurement of RBE2 Active Elec- ness jet, a modified Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter and the Ra- tronically Scanned Array radars manufactured by the French fale. The active phased array, which replaces the passive array company. Key beneficiary to this technology in France would in the RBE2 currently operating on the Rafale has a range ex- be Rafale, the omni role fighter aircraft manufactured by Das- tended by over 50 per cent, for future compatibility with new sault Aviation. The radars will be installed in the aircraft in weapon systems like meteor. It also has a higher module for re- 2011 for delivery to the French Air Force early in 2012. duced cost of ownership, as no array overhaul will be required With Dassault’s Rafale back in the race for India’s Medium for 10 years. The waveform agility for high resolution synthetic Multi-Role Combat Aircraft deal and the French operational aperture imagery in air-to-ground mode and better resistance requirements set at 294 of the fighter aircraft, Thales seems to jamming is a feature specific to Rafale. to be on a successful market penetration drive. The French Air Total cost of the Rafale programme, including development, Force has ordered 82 Rafales while the French Navy is eyeing pre-production, production and integrated logistical support, 38 Rafale Ms—garnering a total of 120 production aircraft for amounts to €33,273 million in 2004—an increase of just 4.18 both the services. Dassault has announced that the manufac- per cent over the projected cost in 1988. The Rafale will even- turing of the aircraft will continue till 2023. tually replace all the existing types of fighter aircraft in the in- Joint tests by Thales and French defence procurement ventory of the French Air Force and Navy. SP

INDUSTRY M-346 FIRST FLIGHT Master Formation The 60-minute ﬂight comprising three aircraft was made by the two prototypes of Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master and LRIP00, while the M-311 aircraft acted as camera ship By Our Special Correspondent

he Alenia Aermacchi M-346 “MASTER” has accom- can be increased in case of specific needs. plished its first three-aircraft formation flight. Thanks to the extremely advanced and automated in- T The 60-minute flight was made by the two proto- dustrialization process, Alenia Aermacchi will be able to types and LRIP00, representative of the series production con- address effectively the market demand for trainers aimed figuration, while the M-311 aircraft acted as camera ship. at pilots of 4th and 5th generation combat aircraft. At pres- Alenia Aermacchi is proceeding with the last M-346 devel- ent, the M-346 “MASTER” has been chosen for a total of opment activities and is fitting out the new hangar dedicated more than 60 aircraft and there are going to be other com- to the automated build-up and structural assembly lines for mercial opportunities through the participation to impor- SP PHOTOGRAPHS: THALES / ALENIA AERMACCHI series production at a rate of 18-24 aircraft annually, which tant international bids.

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 41 MILITARY INDUSTRY Magniﬁcent Yak-130 for Indian Air Force

arious experts have been highly naissance and jamming devices. estimating the latest Russian com- By Rajiv Kumar The glass cockpit concept has been fully bat training aircraft – Yak-130. implemented to the Yak-130. Each cockpit The aircraft has been selected as sports liquid crystal multifunctional color Va main vehicle for basic and advanced Rus- displays while the front cockpit also features sian Air Force pilots’ training. Various nations – Russia’s tra- an additional head-up display. The aircraft is also equipped ditional partners in military-technical cooperation - have al- with helmet-mounted aiming system. Neither hand indexes ready stressed their strong interest to this aircraft. The reason nor electromechanical devices have been used. is obvious as according to a lot of specialists the aircraft has The clear design and improved reliability of the air- no match in its class. frame, power plant and on- In fact Yak-130 is a mod- board system provide longer ern airplane for efficient pilots service life and total aircraft training for modern and fu- self-efficiency. High opera- ture Russian and non-Russian tional and technological ef- aircraft including high speed fectiveness, teamed with low maneuverable combat train- life-cycle cost and outstanding under strong overloads and ing flight performance ensure large angles of attack, under top-class flight training in the any weather conditions. The short term. air-intake screens and chassis According to the interna- design as well as take-off and tional experts the Russian- landing characteristics allow to made Yak-130 has brilliant use the aircraft from the non- capabilities for various pilots paved airstrips. The aircraft life training. The aircraft can be cycle is over 10,000 flight hours equipped with any system with an airframe life cycle over according to the specific cus- 30 years without overhaul. The tomers’ requirements. Suc- Yak-130 enormous flight safety cessful airframe design, high has been provided with two re- aerodynamics characteristics liable engines as well as all the and modern onboard equip- main systems multiple duplica- ment allow to use the Yak- tion. This is a crucial factor for 130 as a basis for the aircraft the young pilots training to as- family including light attack, sure them with the aircraft ul- reconnaissance, jammer, as timate reliability. The Yak-130 well as shipborne combat has been also equipped with trainer. Not a small row, one the fly-by-wire control system should admit. SP to provide variation in stability and controllability parameters appropriate to different aircraft. The Yak-130 combat trainer is exported by the Russian State The specialized onboard imitation system provides air Corporation Rosoboronexport. combat simulation of a wide range of scenarios including Rosoboronexport is the sole state company in Russia au- maneuverable and jamming air targets interception, as well thorized to export the full range of defense–related and dual- as cooperation with other friendly aircraft group, aerial and use products, technologies and services. The official status of ground command posts. Rosoboronexport secures the guaranteed state support in all Apart of high-efficient combat training Yak-130 can be export operations. also used as a light combat aircraft (against armed groups Rosoboronexport is ranked among the major companies on the global arms market and accounts for over 80% of Russia’s for example). To fulfill various combat missions Yak-130 has annual arms sales. Russia maintains military-technical coopera- 9 suspension points to carry up to 3,000 kg payload of weap- tion with over 70 countries worldwide. onry including high-efficient guided missiles, unguided rock- Rosoboronexport aims to develop new lines and forms of ets, guided and conventional air bombs. The aircraft has been military-technical cooperation and invites its current and fu- also equipped with a gun mount. Apart of the weaponry the ture customers to establish long-term, mutually beneficial rela- suspension points are intended for the extra-fuel tanks as well tions that will guarantee successful solutions to defense and

PHOTOGRAPHS: ROSOBORONEXPORT as containers for various means of weaponry guidance, recon- security problems. •

42 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net SHOW REPORT EBACE ’09 Bruising Lap AHEAD At the annual European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Geneva, one prediction was that corporate aircraft deliveries would take three years to recover to 2008 levels, assuming the economy bounces back next year and sales recover in 2012

By Alan Peaford, Geneva, Switzerland

rashing global economy, the US government’s attack on business aviation and the worst sudden downturn in the industry’s history—all that notwithstanding, the annual European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) held in Geneva put forth a display of THE RAMP optimism and hope for the beleaguered sec- AT GENEVA: NO tor. While some of the stars of previous busi- NEW SURPRISES ness aviation shows had fallen by the wayside in the period BUT PLENTY TO SEE between the NBAA event in October 2008 and this year’s

PHOTOGRAPHS: NBAA, ALAN PEAFORD, DASSAULT & CESSNA DASSAULT ALAN PEAFORD, PHOTOGRAPHS: NBAA, C EBACE on May 12-14—Very Light Jets, like the Eclipse and

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 43 SHOW REPORT EBACE ’09

SPOT THE SILVER LINING: NEW MARKETS ON THE CESSNA’S JACK PELTON RADAR: BOMBARDIER’S RAY IS CONVINCED THE FUTURE JONES LAYS STRESS ON IS SOUND EMERGING ECONOMIES

Adam, being the main this is not killing off the victims—those that are programme. It will hap- surviving say they can pen,” he says. already sense the green Even as some pro- shoots of recovery. grammes were dropping Ray Jones, Head of off the radar screens, International Sales from “RATHER THAN FOCUS “BUSINESS AVIATION new ideas emerged at Bombardier was one of ON WHAT WE AREN’T EXISTS FOR A REASON. the show. European tur- the first to toss the coin PRODUCING, CESSNA IF IT MADE SENSE FOR boprop manufacturer for optimism. “Business A COMPANY TO USE AN ATR announced it is aviation exists for a rea- HAS CHOSEN TO FOCUS entering the business son,” he says. “If it made ON WHAT WE ARE AIRCRAFT TO MEET ITS aviation market with sense for a company to PRODUCING… WE WILL BUSINESS NEEDS BEFORE the ATR Corporate. “We use an aircraft to meet SPEND ABOUT THE THE GLOBAL DOWNTURN, are working internally its business needs be- SAME PERCENTAGE OF THEN IT MAKES SENSE on a nickname for the fore the global down- REVENUE IN 2009 ON NOW… IF WE LOOK AT aircraft, but we want- turn, then it makes THE GROWING EMERGING ed to come to EBACE sense now. There are a NEW PRODUCT AND NEW to promote the idea of host of reasons why the FEATURE DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIES, SUCH AS comfort, performance market has depressed AND WE WILL SPEND IT ON CHINA AND INDIA, THERE and efficient travel on a in the United States, but SATISFYING CUSTOMER IS GREAT DEMAND.” platform that is proven,” if we look at the growing REQUIREMENTS FOR —RAY JONES, says ATR Sales Director emerging economies, EXISTING PRODUCTS IN HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL Milco Rappuoli. such as China and India, Several airlines EXISTING MARKETS.” SALES, BOMBARDIER there is great demand. have used the best-sell- “Infrastructure and —JACK PELTON, ing regional turboprop air management remain CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT in a quick-turnaround an issue but the busi- AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, convertible from VIP to ness case is compelling. CESSNA shuttle or medevac, but last year ATR took an order from a Busy people need to get customer in Azerbaijan to deliver a fully equipped VIP air- to places efficiently and craft. “It really worked,” says Rappuoli. “In a VIP configura- business aviation is a tion, the aircraft has a range of 1,640 nm (3,034 km). In ad- proven means by which dition, the short-field performance—we only need a 2,950 ft to do that.” Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive strip—means we can reach 25 per cent more airports com- Jack Pelton agreed. The current meltdown in business avia- pared to a corporate jet.” tion activity, while the most profound in many years, is best The joint venture between EADS and Alenia has won kept in perspective when discussing the global role of busi- an order from the Thai air force as a head-of-state aircraft. ness aviation and of Cessna, he stresses. The basic corporate variant is priced at $17 million (Rs 80 crore) and can be configured with a forward VIP lounge of FOCUS ON THE EXISTING & ENDURING eight seats and a number of different seating options at the “Rather than focus on what we aren’t producing, Cessna has rear. ATR is confident there will be good take-up. “It makes chosen to focus on what we are producing. It is true that we economic sense,” says Rappuoli. “Because of the airframe it will not produce at the levels anticipated a year ago, but we can be converted back to a passenger or cargo aircraft for are going to deliver about 300 Citations in 2009, slightly few- relatively little cost to meet the particular needs of the cus- er than in 2010, and these are numbers that in years past tomer, so the asset value remains high.” The ATR has proven would have been cause for celebration,” Pelton says. “We will capability on unpaved strips and can be configured to allow spend about the same percentage of revenue in 2009 on new flexible space as well as VIP passengers. “We see good op- product and new feature development, and we will spend it portunities for India or the Middle East,” he adds. on satisfying customer requirements for existing products in existing markets. We will continue to improve our global cus- ZEROING IN ON OTHER POSSIBILITIES tomer service network—already second to none in the indus- Other regional or short haul aircraft could also be seen in the try—and make it even more responsive to the customer.” skies of Asia if the Dubai-based Project Phoenix team have Pelton had previously announced the suspension of the their way. The company is planning to extend its business Columbus programme, the super-mid-size jet that would be model for branded personalised conversions of Bombardier the flagship of the company’s product offering. “Be clear, CJ200 regional jets by adding Boeing 737s and competing

44 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net SHOW REPORT EBACE ’09 with Boeing Business Jets. The first flight of the Phoe- nix CRJ in Toronto is due immediately after EBACE, followed by delivery to its launch customer in Macao early in June. Company Founder and President Mike Cappuccitti is looking to the future. “What we have done with the CRJ is taken a very good airplane and made it even better,” Cappuccitti says. “It took us a lot longer than we had planned to deliver the first aircraft due to changes in the STC for the tanks on the conversion. But we are now looking at other possibili- SURPASSING ITS OWN ties. The Boeing 737-300 MILESTONES: DASSAULT UNVEILED THE NEW and 737-500 are ideal ve- CLASSIC INTERIORS OF hicles. There are plenty of FALCON 7X EVEN WHILE them around and provided we can get the STCs sorted out, MAKING A GRAVE MENTION “There is a lot of interest OF THE TOUGH TIMES we believe there will be demand for the quality that we are IT IS GOING THROUGH in what we are doing,” says delivering on the Phoenix CJ200. Cappuccitti. “This is very dif-

QUICK TAKES | CESSNA

Citation CJ4 on track for FAA certification become the sixth Citation X to be based in the tract for a location at the Valencia Airport. Cessna Aircraft Company announced it is on Middle East. Based in Riyadh and Dubai, Wallan track to receive Federal Aviation Administration Aviation is Cessna’s Authorized Sales Represen- Cessna to use Bell’s European parts centre type certification on the Citation CJ4 by the end tative and Authorized Citation Service Center Cessna has reached an agreement with sister of the year. “Structural certification is well under- for the Middle East. With a maximum speed of company Bell Helicopter to use the latter’s Euro- way including the completion of five lifetimes on Mach .92, the Citation X is the world’s fastest pean parts distribution facility at Amsterdam Air- the fatigue test article. Development testing has civil aircraft. Since launch, Cessna has delivered port Schipol to further enhance parts distribution been progressing on schedule, and we expect to more than 45 Citation Xs to the EMEA region (Eu- to Citation operators in Europe, the Middle East begin certification testing later this month,” said and Africa. “This announcement is a continua- CJ4 Program Manager Norm Baker. tion of the process begun more than a year ago to increase Citation parts availability in Europe, Citation Mustang fleet grows to 200 and will greatly decrease our response time for Cessna has delivered the 200th Citation Mustang, AOG situations,” said Mark Paolucci, Cessna Se- with the aircraft going to Maritime Air Charters. nior Vice President, Customer Service. AOG, or The event was marked on May 4 with a brief cer- Aircraft on Ground, means the aircraft needs a emony at Cessna’s Independence, Kansas, facility. part to operate and is the most serious of any “The Mustang has become a game-changer, start- aircraft service requirement. ing with its certification as the first aircraft in a new line of entry level business jets and its first Pact with StandardAero enhances Citation delivery two years ago,” said Roger Whyte, Cess- engine support na’s Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Cessna has signed an agreement with Standar- dAero that will enhance support for Mustang and Delivery of first Ukrainian-registered Citation Citation X around the globe. The agreement in- Cessna announced it would in May deliver to volves support of the Pratt and Whitney Canada ACR Aero-Charter Airlines the first Ukrainian- PW615F on the Cessna Mustang and the Rolls- registered Citation business jet, a CJ3. This is Royce AE3007C/C1 on the Citation X. the first of four Citations ordered by ACR, with a First European deliveries of XLS+ second CJ3 joining its fleet in July, and a further go to Lufthansa CJ3 and an XLS+ scheduled for delivery in 2010. Cessna has delivered two Citation XLS+ busi- Based in Kiev, ACR is one of Ukraine’s leading air rope, Middle East and Africa) and more than 300 ness jets to Lufthansa, the first deliveries of charter businesses. Cessna’s authorised sales Citation Xs worldwide. the model to a European customer. The aircraft representative Jet-Alliance worked closely with have entered service alongside two Citation the Ukrainian authorities to secure certification, New Citation service center in Spain CJ3s and one CJ1+ in the Lufthansa Private Jet while Cessna Finance Corporation provided fi- fleet, which provides point-to-point flights among nancing for the fleet order. Cessna announced plans to build its new Europe- an Citation Service Center at Valencia Airport in 1,000 destinations in Europe and Russia. The Middle East’s latest Citation X Spain. After two years of research and negotia- Private Jet service also offers customers of Luf- delivered to Wallan tions with Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación thansa and SWISS International Air Lines long- Cessna in May delivered a Citation X to Saad Aérea (AENA), Spain’s aviation administrative of- haul flights exclusive, seamless travel to onward Wallan, Chairman of Wallan Aviation. This will fice, Cessna and AENA signed a land grant con- regional airports. •

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 45 SHOW REPORT EBACE ’09

DEFY THE ODDS: ferent from other the 2015 certification date to be achieved. AIRBUS’ FRANCOIS CHAZELLE IS conversion projects. Aerion, which has patented supersonic UPBEAT ABOUT We are building a natural laminar flow technology for the air- THE MARKET brand. We don’t buy craft, is partnering Pratt & Whitney to adapt AS COMPANY IMPROVES the used aircraft on its venerable JT8D engine. The company’s PAYLOAD spec; we do it when order book stands at “around 50”, roughly we know what the the same figure as this time last year. customer needs. Gulfstream, meanwhile, has trade- When we get the marked the name “Whisper” with US au- aircraft, the engines are sent back for a thorities, a title the application says de- complete overhaul, we take out the gear scribes an “aircraft featuring a design that and send that back, and then we work on reduces boom intensities during superson- “OF COURSE WE HAVE the interior. The interior design and finish ic flight”. Help from the US government SEEN A SLOWDOWN LIKE is of a different quality. It will only be a could possibly take the form of funding for EVERYONE ELSE, AND WE Phoenix if it meets that quality standard. a demonstrator to prove out sonic boom “We have the approach of an OEM. We quieting technologies. The Federal Avia- HAVE SEEN PEOPLE TAKE stick with the customer after the sale. We tion Administration is testing the waters in OPPORTUNITIES LIKE have power-by-the-hour with Lufthansa advance of such a development. The agen- BUYING A SMALLER JET Technik-supported eJet programme; we cy recently held two public workshops SUCH AS A GULFSTREAM give the Medaire training for crew and where regulators and airframers, includ- G550 OR A GLOBAL have special rates with CAE. The real dif- ing Aerion, Boeing and Gulfstream, dis- EXPRESS BECAUSE OF ference is quality and our CRJs are more cussed potential new aircraft programmes DISCOUNTS—WHILE THEY akin to a Global than a Challenger.” The current downturn has led to more WAIT FOR DELIVERY interest, but Cappuccitti says the underly- OF THE ACJ.” ing business model of getting an aircraft —FRANCOIS CHAZELLE, delivered in 12 months is still attractive. VICE-PRESIDENT, “That’s why we think we can succeed with EXECUTIVE AND PRIVATE other models,” he says. “The 737 is an AVIATION, AIRBUS ideal platform and we are also looking at the BAe-146. The Phoenix rebirth of great airplanes is certainly drawing attention in Asia and the Middle East in particular.”

LURE OF THE SUPERSONIC Another sector that will attract lots of interest when the market recovers is the race for supersonic business jets. Gulf- POSITIVE VIBES: stream used EBACE CHALLENGING THE ATR’S MILCO to officially acknowl- TIMES: THE FIRST OF RAPPUOLI IS edge that it is con- THE PHENOM 100 ENTRY with novel sonic DELIGHTED WITH LEVEL JETS MADE ITS THE INTEREST IN tinuing its supersonic boom mitiga- DEBUT AT EBACE THEIR OFFER research, but the com- tion techniques. pany says it will not From a global “WE ARE WORKING launch a programme perspective, the INTERNALLY ON A until regulators in International NICKNAME FOR the US and Europe relax long-standing Civil Aviation Organisation has established rules prohibiting supersonic flight over a supersonic technical group to investigate THE AIRCRAFT (ATR land. The other main contender, Aerion, is establishing noise and noise testing crite- CORPORATE), BUT WE sticking to its 2015 target for putting its ria for supersonic aircraft, including sonic WANTED TO COME TO supersonic business jet into service, even boom shaping and the impact on people EBACE TO PROMOTE though it has not yet sealed the necessary and structures on the ground. THE IDEA OF COMFORT, partnership deal with an OEM to produce At the show, Dassault Chairman and PERFORMANCE AND the aircraft. The start-up’s Chairman and Chief Executive Charles Edelstenne ap- EFFICIENT TRAVEL backer Robert Bass said at EBACE that peared to dismiss his company’s poten- Aerion is in advanced discussions with tial involvement in any supersonic pro- ON A PLATFORM “more than one manufacturer”, but is gramme. “It may be something for the THAT IS PROVEN.” bound by confidentiality agreements. The future, but not now,” he says. Dassault did, —MILCO RAPPUOLI, aircraft is likely to have to be formally however, unveil a new interior for its flag- SALES DIRECTOR, ATR launched within the next 18 months for ship 7X at the show, developed in conjunc-

46 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net SHOW REPORT EBACE ’09

PROMISES GALORE: THE BBJ AT EBACE PROMISES NEW OPTIONS AND RANGE; (LEFT) THE 747-800 IN ITS VIP CONFIGURATION AFFORDS ROOM FOR ADDITIONAL BERTHS

tion with BMW DesignworksUSA. The new interior features a tion estimates for midsize and large-cabin jets by 20 per cent clean design, innovative lighting and ergonomic functions as to 97 aircraft, down from the 126 expected last year. Despite is available as an option from the first quarter of 2011. the softening, the company continues to maintain a healthy backlog of more than $20 billion (Rs 94,250 crore), down by ON A BRIGHT NOTE around $2 billion (Rs 9,425 crore) from the end of 2008. Gulfstream also had some positive updates. The company Progress on the $24 million (Rs 110 crore) G250, being says highlights this year will include first flights of the new co-developed with Israeli Aerospace Industries as a replace- G250 super-midsize and G650 long-range jets. According to ment for the G200, includes completion of the first fuselage President Joe Lombardo, reduced demand has required the by IAI and first wing assembly by Spirit AeroSystems. In ad- airframer based in Savannah, Georgia to cut its 2009 produc- dition to landing gear drop tests, the development team has

QUICK TAKES | DASSAULT

ambient lights as well as “The Falcon 2000LX offers the lowest operating light strips. The combina- costs of any airplane in the large cabin class and tion of new lighting and is an ideal solution for today’s challenging eco- more contrast between nomic times,” said John Rosanvallon, President the carpet, the side walls and CEO of Dassault Falcon. “It’s the most fuel and headliners emphasise efficient airplane in the large cabin class.” The openness, spaciousness 4,000 nm range 2000LX offers the same spa- and comfort. The final re- cious, quiet interior as the 2000EX EASy but the sult is elegant and styled capability to serve a more extensive city pairs. cabin fused with function. The 2000LX will be able to connect New York to Moscow; Paris to Mumbai; Dubai to London and Reno Service Center Hong Kong to Brisbane, non-stop. inaugurated Dassault Falcon has opened All is not gloom and doom: Charles Edelstenne a new Dassault Aircraft Ser- Commenting on the current economic turmoil vices facility at the Reno in the course of his May 11 speech at EBACE, Tahoe International Airport Charles Edelstenne, Chairman and CEO of Das- (RNO). The new facility is sault Aviation, candidly observed that the “cri- a full service Falcon Main- sis is clearly much deeper than any other we’ve tenance, Repair and Over- seen, but it cannot be bottomless”. Emphasis- haul location, and offers ing the need to take the challenges head-on, comprehensive avionics, Edelstenne said, “The long term growth of our New interiors for Falcon 7X engine and aircraft support industry will only depend on our capacity to Dassault Falcon unveiled a new cabin interior services, including an AOG ‘Go Team’. Early April, provide efficient solutions satisfying the very design for the 5,950 nm Falcon 7X—result of Dassault Aircraft Services (DAS), Reno received specific transportation needs of our custom- a collaborative effort between Dassault and certification from the FAA to perform mainte- ers. That is why innovation and investments are DesignworksUSA, a subsidiary of BMW Group. nance on the Falcon 50, Falcon 2000, Falcon needed more than ever.” Outlining the compa- Special attention was given to enhancing its 900 and Falcon 7X family of aircraft. The nearly ny’s commitment to its customers, the Dassault cabin comfort for flights lasting up to 13 hours. 40,000 square foot facility will eventually be chief was optimistic that “all is not doom and Since its entry into service in 2007, the 7X cab- staffed by over 40 highly skilled Dassault Falcon gloom. We start to see some signs of change. in has set a new standard for business jets. The personnel. First, the pre-owned market seems to stabilise new Falcon 7X cabin introduces subtle curves both in terms of number of aircraft for sale, throughout the interior with 28 windows which Falcon 2000LX awarded EASA, FAA certification and in market price. It will take some time are 10 per cent bigger than previous Falcons. Newest member of the Falcon family of busi- before the trend reverses, but this is the first Curved bulkheads visually expand the main ness jets, the 4,000 nm Falcon 2000LX, has positive sign that we have all been expecting cabin volume while subtle curves in the galley received certification from the FAA on April 30 for the past few months. We also meet more and main cabin create better flow. Cabin light- while EASA certification was granted on April prospects and customers willing to discuss and ing techniques feature up-wash and down-wash 23. The first delivery took place in early May. prepare plans for their future operations”. •

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 47 SHOW REPORT EBACE ’09 also accomplished first power-on of the aircraft and static Chazelle said the Airbus range of corporate jets from the test articles of the major assemblies have been fabricated for A318 Elite right through to the A380 Flying Palace are still in the certification programme. Entry into service is expected demand. “Of course we have seen a slowdown like everyone in 2011. The G250 is powered by two Honeywell HTF7250G else, and we have seen people take opportunities like buying a turbofans and has Rockwell Collins’ new Pro Line Fusion smaller jet such as a Gulfstream G550 or a Global Express be- integrated avionics suite in the cockpit. cause of discounts—while they wait for delivery of the ACJ.” For the $60 million (Rs 280 crore) G650, also set for first flight this year, Lombardo says the first Gulfstream-built fu- OF PERFORMANCE & FORECASTS selage is assembled as well as the first Spirit-built wing. Ad- Bombardier Aerospace was another manufacturer to intro- ditionally, the first Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofan engines have duce extended range options at the show. The company an- been podded, says Lombardo. Progress on the aircraft’s sys- nounced performance updates for its Learjet 40XR and Glob- tems, including its Honeywell PlaneView II avionics as well al 5000 business jets. A 268 nm (496 km) range extension as engine development, gives the company confidence in a is available on all new Learjet 40XR orders and on aircraft first flight this year. Incentive to achieve first flight this year previously ordered and scheduled for delivery in the third is significant as the first 50 customers will be required to quarter of the current fiscal year. The range extension is the submit additional deposit money at that point. Entry into result of a 687 lb (312 kg) increase in fuel tank capacity. service is expected in 2012. Meanwhile, the first installation of a service bulletin extend- ing the Global 5000’s range by 8 per cent (400 nm/740 km) has GIANTS RAISE THE BAR been completed at Bombardier’s Fort Lauderdale Service Cen- Boeing was also in the headlines. The Seattle company out- ter in Florida. At a typical cruise speed of Mach 0.85, the Global lined a partnership with Greenpoint Technologies to offer 5000 now has a range of 5,194 nm (9,620 km). sleeper berths and lounges for 747-8 VIP operators, while an- Development work continues on the new Global Vision nouncing orders to outfit four aircraft. The Overhead Space flight deck, which will be available for the Global 5000 and Utilisation kit spans across 807 sq ft, with room for as many Global Express XRS. The cockpit, which incorporates Rock- as 16 sleeper berths or two lounge modules, set above the well Collins’ Pro Line Fusion avionics suite, completed its main cabin in the crown of the aircraft between doors three power-on test and is “on target” for its first flight, on a Glob- and five. Each of the private 747-8 VIP berths will offer a lie- al Express XRS later this summer. flat 90x200 cm mattress, equivalent to a standard twin bed, The first of the industry forecasts for the year were also an- as well as a privacy curtain, removable decorative panels and nounced at the show. Brazilian manufacturer Embraer is pre- a passenger service unit for calling a flight attendant. First dicting that business aircraft deliveries will take three years to deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2011 and run to 2013. recover to 2008’s rates, assuming the economy bounces back Boeing holds a cumulative total of 10 747 VIP aircraft next year and sales recover in 2012. Once the delivery re- (three -400; seven -8I), the first of which will be delivered in bound happens, Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice- the fourth quarter of 2011, following a two-aircraft flight-test President for Executive Aviation, says, the increase in output programme to certificate the world’s longest business jet. The every year will climb more slowly for 10 years compared with company also outlined plans to deliver a 2 per cent improve- its mercurial year-over-year rise from 2005 to 2008. ment in fuel burn on its Boeing Business Jet product line through a combination of aerodynamic improvements and CUT TO SIZE FOR SUSTENANCE engine technology changes, set to be rolled out in mid-2011. Affonso admits to wearing rose-coloured glasses when look- The CFM56-7B Evolution engine, which accounts for ing forward at the NBAA show last October. “We thought roughly 1 per cent of the improvement, will feature reshaped backlogs would sustain deliveries,” he says. “This was prov- blades and vanes of the high- and low-pressure turbines en wrong.” Instead, owners cancelled or delayed their or- to increase airflow through the engine and reduce overall ders as the economy and flight hours plunged. The compa- temperature. Boeing and CFM will introduce changes to the ny’s revised forecast now calls for 11,000 business jets to be engine nozzle and plug, and remove about 9 per cent of en- delivered over the next 10 years, compared with the 13,000 gine aerofoils from the high- and low-pressure turbines, to it had predicted at NBAA. Growth will be focused on emerg- reduce maintenance costs by up to 4 per cent. Aerodynamic ing markets in Asia and elsewhere, with the US and Europe changes to the aircraft include a reshaped anti-collision growth rates contracting slightly year over year. light, refined wing control surfaces, revised main landing- However, Embraer’s mantra from 2005—to be a major gear wheel-well fairing and a modulation of the environ- player in the business aviation market by 2015—continues mental control system inlet and exhaust. to steer the airframer’s course. Although much has changed Airbus also announced that its Airbus Corporate Jetlin- since NBAA, Affonso says Embraer is continuing its new er (ACJ) has improved performance with a new maximum aircraft development as before, keeping entry into service take-off weight of 76.5t certificated by the European Avia- dates for the Phenom 300 (this year), the Legacy 500 (2012) tion Safety Agency. Vice-President, Executive and Private and Legacy 450 (2013) in place. Aviation, Francois Chazelle said the MTOW increase of 1t Unlike previous shows, there were few orders to back- could increase payload or improve range by 170 nm (300 up industry optimism. Only Hawker Beechcraft came to light km) to achieve the 5,993 nm (11,100 km) target. The gain with the sale of the first Beechcraft Premier II to Jordanian was made possible by a new load alleviation function that operator RayaJet. The Premier II is an upgrade of the Premier will now be offered as an option on all new-build aircraft IA programme with more range and increased payload and is and will be available for retrofit on existing models. on track for certification in the second quarter of 2010. SP

48 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net Hall of Fame MY JOHNSON WAS ENG- an altimeter, an indicator for turn- Finally, after dodging the monsoon LAND’S answer to Ameri- ing and banking, and a compass. over South East Asia, Amy safely ca’s pride Amelia Earhart. Throughout the journey she had to landed in Australia, to great acclaim Focused and determined, regularly pump petrol from the aux- there and in Britain—she had flown Johnson overcame innu- iliary containers to the main fuel almost 14,000 km in 19 days. Though Amerable obstacles to notch up some tanks, and the fumes made her sick. she did not succeed in breaking the impressive aviation records. record, she was the first woman Born on July 1, 1903, in Hull, UK, to fly solo from Britain to Aus- she had her first taste of flying tralia, making her a worldwide in September 1928. It was not a celebrity. Amy was barely 27 and happy experience. “I was scared had been flying for less than two stiff of my instructor who never years. Prior to this trip, she had seemed to lose his first idea that never flown a distance greater I was a born idiot,” she later re- than that between London and called. The tutor attempted to Hull, approximately 250 km. dissuade her from continuing, The expedition to Australia predicting that she would never was Johnson’s best-known feat, make it. Fortunately, another although she later made other re- instructor proved more patient. cord breaking flights. In spite of Even so, Amy didn’t take natu- her fame, she found it almost im- rally to flying. She handled the possible to earn a regular living controls with a heavy hand, and AMY JOHNSON as a commercial pilot. For a time her landings were awkward. Per- there was a lull, since long-dis- sisting valiantly in her attempts, (1903 – 1941) tance stunt flying was becoming she finally earned her ‘A’ Licence commonplace and most obsta- in July 1929. However, the law cles had already been conquered. firm where she was employed Amy Johnson was barely Then, in 1940, flying once again gave her an ultimatum—quit fly- 27 and had been flying for dominated Johnson’s life when ing or quit the job. she took up a job with the Air Some soul-searching later, less than two years when she Transport Auxiliary (ATA)—fer- Amy decided she wanted a pro- rying military aircraft from fac- fessional aviation career more undertook her epic solo flight tories to air bases. However, her than anything else. Her enthu- from Britain to Australia on happiness was short-lived. On siasm for aircraft was so great January 5, 1941, Amy took off on that flying itself was not enough. May 5, 1930—covering almost a ferry. The weather was freez- She began to learn aircraft me- 14,000 km in 19 days. Prior to ing, cloudy and murky. She was chanics and, in December 1929, not seen again until nearly four became the first woman to earn this trip, she had never flown hours later when she parachuted a ground engineer’s licence. out of her aircraft over the frigid That was when she decided to a distance greater than that waters of the Thames estuary, fly solo to Australia and attempt between London and Hull, more than 70 miles off course. A to break the existing record of rescuer dived in to try and save 15-and-half days for the jour- approximately 250 km. her but she perished. Her body ney. After much pleading with was never found and she was potential wealthy backers she eventually declared dead. succeeded in scraping together What did Amy Johnson, pio- enough money to buy a two- neer aviator, accomplish? Ad- year-old de Havilland Moth already A dust storm approaching Baghdad equately summing it up are these fitted with extra fuel tanks for £600. nearly brought her adventure to a di- words inscribed on a memorial to Suffering no illusions about the grim sastrous end. She lost control of the her: “She made record flights from dangers she would face on her long aircraft, the plane stalled twice, the England, in 1930, to Australia (solo journey, Johnson carried a revolv- engine choked and quit before she 19 days) and India (solo 6 days); in er against bandits, a letter offering managed to restart it and put the ma- 1931, to Japan (11 days) and Cape ransom should she be kidnapped, a chine down. Later, she confessed, “I Town (solo 4 days); in 1933, to USA; stove and a spare propeller. Yielding had never been so frightened in my in 1934, to India; in 1936, to Cape to her mother’s persuasions she took life!” When the storm subsided she Town and back. She died on active a parachute, though she rued the ex- resumed her journey. She got lost sev- service 5th January, 1941. May her tra weight. eral times, made some crash landings fame live on.” It does. SP Johnson’s epic flight began on and needed many emergency repairs. —Group Captain (Retd) May 5, 1930. The only instruments Her knowledge of mechanics came Joseph Noronha, she had were an airspeed indicator, in handy, as did the spare propeller. Goa

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 49 COMMERCIALAVIATION ERIES S Leaving On Jet A Plane Mid-1970s, attracted by the speed and comfort of the new jetliners, passengers responded enthusiastically and numbers soared

uring the By Group Captain (Retd) er planes, but how much faster? While the first half-cen- Joseph Noronha, Goa most famous propeller airliner of the time, tury of aviation, the Dakota DC-3, had a cruising speed of the air buzzed approximately 290 km/hour, the turbo- with the whirr prop Vickers Viscount cruised at around of propellers 440 km/hour. The Comet increased this to powered by piston engines. Early 770 km/hour. It could also climb faster and fly higher. Airlines Dpassenger aircraft were hard put to compete with the speed and passengers were greatly relieved to be able to soar above of the railroad. Gradually, airliners became much faster than the turbulence and storms of lower altitudes, transforming an trains. However, manufacturers always came up against the airliner from a skittish, stomach-churning contraption into a inherent limitation of propellers—their tips could not safely stable and elegant “lounge in the sky”. However, like the celes- rotate faster than the speed of sound. This limited the thrust tial object after which it was rather unfortunately named, the they could produce. Consequently, the airliners of yore were Comet 1 faded into oblivion a couple of years after its introduc- puny and painfully slow in comparison with today’s power- tion following two back-to-back fatal accidents. The airliners’ packed behemoths. A strong impetus was needed and it was fuselage burst during flight—the result of metal fatigue caused provided by the invention of the turbojet engine. by repeated pressurisation cycles.

THE INVENTIVE BRITISH AMERICA RACES AHEAD Jet propulsion, based on Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Mo- In the meantime, thanks to Juan Trippe, Pan American’s leg- tion, remained just a theory until Frank Whittle, a British endary CEO, the American airline industry was persuaded pilot, designed the first turbojet engine in 1930. Whittle’s en- to embrace jet engines. Boeing’s 367-80 of 1954 introduced gine was untested for several years. The Germans were the the now ubiquitous configuration of the jetliner—podded en- first to actually produce a jet aircraft. Based on a design by gines and low, swept wings. Hans von Ohain, the Heinkel He 178 first flew on August 27, Though other types would 1939. The outbreak of World War II, however, ensured that appear, such as aft-mount- ENTER THE JET AGE: this revolutionary technology remained confined to the mili- ed engines and T-tails, the JETS REVOLUTIONISED COMMERCIAL AVIATION. PASSENGERS ENJOYED tary domain for a decade or more. basic configuration of the MORE COMFORT, LESS NOISE AND, Early jet engines were excruciatingly noisy. They guzzled jetliner was set by this MOST IMPORTANT, LESS TRAVEL TIME. fuel, which drove up costs and limited range. They also had much higher operating temperatures that required very expensive metal alloy components. It was predicted that while jetliners might be fast they would probably not be commercially viable. As a result, US airlines were somewhat reluctant to embrace this risky, unproven technology. The British had no such inhibitions. On July 29, 1950, a British European Air- ways (BEA) Vickers Viscount operated the world’s first turboprop scheduled service from London to Paris. Meanwhile, de Havilland built the world’s first commercial jetliner, the Comet 1—a milestone of British aeronautical design. On May 2, 1952, the British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) flew a Comet from London to Johannesburg—marking the world’s first com-

PHOTOGRAPHS: BRITISH AIRWAYS MUSEUM, PINETREELINE.ORG, DIC.ACADEMIC.RU & FLICKR.COM DIC.ACADEMIC.RU PINETREELINE.ORG, MUSEUM, PHOTOGRAPHS: BRITISH AIRWAYS mercial jet service. Jetliners were undoubtedly faster than oth-

50 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net SERIES COMMERCIAL AVIATION

remarkable design. It also en- Attracted by the speed and comfort of the new jetliners, pas- sured that the US commercial sengers responded enthusiastically and numbers soared. Juan aircraft industry would domi- Trippe expected that this trend would continue, as did Wil- nate the global marketplace for liam Allen, president of Boeing. Both men were visionaries and another quarter-century, until dreamt of a huge, new airliner which eventually took shape as challenged by the rise of Air- the Boeing 747. On January 22, 1970, the first Boeing 747 took bus. On October 26, 1958, Pan off from New York bound for London. The 747, dubbed “jumbo Am flew its first transatlantic jet jet”, doubled the capacity offered by existing airliners to over flight from New York to Paris, 450 passengers. It was the world’s first wide-body jetliner, and a Boeing 707-120. It had 111 remains the best selling. The fascination with wide-body jets passengers—the largest num- produced two other notable examples—the Lockheed L-1011 “This is the ber to board a single, regularly TriStar (August 1971) and the Douglas DC-10 (April 1972)— most important scheduled flight till then. Within each capable of carrying about 300 passengers. aviation a year, the 707-320 was adopt- development since ed by a dozen airlines. Not all FASTER, EVER FASTER Lindbergh’s flight. airlines pinned their hopes on It was not all smooth sailing, however. Despite widespread In one fell swoop, the Boeing 707, though. Doug- hopes for a vibrant market, the air freight industry did not we have shrunken las had unmatched experience grow as expected. Air freight, in fact, remained a very small the Earth.” in building the best piston en- part of total air traffic, nowhere near the heights attained by gine airliners in the world and, air mail. Many who tried to break into the air freight business —Juan Trippe, from September 1959 onwards, did not survive their heavy losses. The proliferation of jetliners Founder of Pan Am many airlines chose the jet-pow- also brought practical problems. Airways needed radar and on the introduction ered Douglas DC-8. The Soviet electronic aids to navigation, which were in short supply. In of jet aircraft national airline Aeroflot held June 1956, a DC-7 and a Super Constellation collided over the the distinction of operating the Grand Canyon, killing 128 people. Again, in December 1960, world’s first regularly scheduled a DC-8 and a Super Constellation collided over Brooklyn, New and sustained passenger jet ser- York, claiming 138 lives. These disasters vividly demonstrated vice with its Tupolev Tu-104 aircraft from Moscow to Irkutsk the point that the air routes were unsafe and led to the intro- (in the Soviet far east) in September 1956. Air France introduction of new safety measures. duced the graceful Caravelle, built by Sud-Aviation, in 1959. In 1947, the International Civil Aviation Organization In 1960, excluding US-owned airlines, the top airlines (ICAO), an affiliate of the United Nations, with headquarters of the world were Aeroflot, Air France and BOAC. Most Eu- in Montréal, was established to handle the problems of large- ropean airlines were state-owned. The German airline Luf- scale international air travel and establish worldwide stan- thansa was among the fastest growing airlines in Europe dards for safety and other vital concerns. Working in close and rapidly expanded its services and fleet through the late cooperation with ICAO, the International Air Transport Asso- 1950s and 1960s. Like most of the major airlines of the ciation (IATA) was founded in 1945, also in Montréal, to enable world, including Air India, it entered the jet era in 1960 with airlines worldwide to seek jointly to tackle problems from an the Boeing 707. 1960 was also the year when USA was con- industry perspective. nected to India by an Indian airliner. Jets revolutionised commercial aviation. The airlines were All misapprehensions about the commercial viability of jet- forced to establish much higher standards of maintenance that liners were soon resolved. Jet engines were simpler and more required better facilities on the ground and highly trained em- reliable than piston engines, since they had far less moving ployees. Passengers got more comfort, less noise and, most parts. They burned refined kerosene, which cost half as much important, less travel time. Airports needed much longer run- as the high octane gasoline used by piston engines. They pro- ways with thicker concrete to support heavier planes. Because duced less vibration, putting less stress on the airframe. They of the constant roar of jet engines, newer airports were located had lower maintenance costs. Seeing the writing on the wall, farther from city centres, thereby boosting economic growth in airlines worldwide switched to the new jets with amazing ra- suburban areas. In the jet age, air travel increasingly became pidity. The piston engine airliners of the 1950s were quickly more democratic and less elite. American students flew to made obsolete by the Boeing 707 and DC-8 and, during the Europe for summer holidays, and European families winged 1960s; short-haul jets practically eliminated large turboprops it to the Bahamas or the South of France for a single week- such as the Vickers Vanguard and Lockheed Electra. The ef- end. Songs were penned, like John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet ficiency savings offered by turboprop airliners was ignored— Plane” and Steve Miller’s “Jet Airliner”. Glamour was estab- speed was the order of the day. lished as a practically inseparable ingredient of the airlines. Taking a cue from the design of the Caravelle, Boeing A new phrase—“jet lag”—was coined to describe the body’s built the 727, a larger and faster jetliner with three engines, inability to cope with swiftly-changing time zones. and perfect for both medium and short-distances. By 1970, End 1960s, it seemed that the airline industry was hooked the 727, one of the most versatile aircraft of the jet era, be- on speed. But even the fastest jetliners were limited to the high came the fastest-selling commercial jet airliner in the world. subsonic range. Military jets had long exceeded the sound bar- It was the first to pass the 1,000 sales mark and, by the rier so there was only one direction for the commercial airline mid-1970s, as many as 60 airlines worldwide were flying it. industry to venture towards—supersonic flight. SP It was eventually surpassed by the Boeing 737. (To be continued.)

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 51 NEWSDigest MILITARY Americas INDUSTRY QuickRoundUp Asia-Pacific C-130J delivery fuels USAF Asia-Pacific airlift modernisation drive ALCATEL-LUCENT Marshal of the IAF visits Lockheed Martin has com- Air Works receives DGCA nod Western Air Command pleted delivery of the 13th of for Boeing 737 maintenance • Alcatel-Lucent and Dassault On May 8, Marshal of the Indi- 16 C-130J Super Hercules to India’s premier MRO company Aviation have announced that they an Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh, Little Rock Air Force Base in has received the approval of have completed the acquisition by DFC, the longest serving erst- Arkansas. The aircraft will the Director General of Civil Dassault Aviation of Alcatel-Lucent’s while Air Officer Commanding be assigned to the 41st Airlift Aviation (DGCA) for mainte- approximately 41.2 million shares. The of Operational Command that Squadron, the first active-duty nance of the Boeing 737 NG transaction is based on a price of €38 was later christened Western combat C-130J squadron in Series (-600/ -700/ -800/ -900/ (Rs 2,500) per share, representing a Air Command (WAC), revisited the US Air Force. This latest -900ER) fitted with CFM 56-7 total value of about €1.57 billion (Rs its headquarters at Subroto C-130J Super Hercules was Series Engines. Air Works’ 10,465 crore). Park in Delhi. He twice led accepted by General Arthur J. servicing capabilities include the Command, first as an Air Lichte, commander, Air Mobil- line maintenance, base main- AGUSTAWESTLAND Commodore, from 1949 to ity Command, Scott Air Force tenance up to and including ‘C’ 1952, and again as an Air Vice Base, Illinois. C-130Js from the checks, and Aircraft on Ground • AgustaWestland’s senior test pilot Marshal, from 1957 to 1962. 41st Airlift Squadron, Black support. Air Works also holds Tim Peake has been selected by Air Officer Commanding-in- Cats, are engaged in high- DGCA approval for ATR 42/72 the European Space Agency as the Chief of WAC, Air Marshal P.K. tempo operations in multiple line and base maintenance up first British astronaut to join the Barbora received the Marshal combat theatres. The C-130J is to and including ‘C’ checks. European Astronaut Corps. The Corps of the Indian Air Force, who a proven airlifter that has been currently consists of eight members addressed the officers, shared selected by 11 countries, with Americas from Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, his experiences and advised 173 of the ordered 263 deliv- the Netherlands and Sweden. The all air warriors to keep the IAF ered to date. Worldwide, the Embraer bags Austral Lineas European Space Agency commenced a flag flying high at all times. C-130J fleet has accumulated Aereas contract for E-190s search for four new astronauts in May over 500,000 flight hours. Embraer has signed a deal 2008 to conduct future missions to IAF pilots brave bullets to with Argentina’s Austral the International Space Station, and facilitate battle of the ballot Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Lineas Aereas for the sale one day to the moon and beyond. Two IL-76, four AN-32 trans- Advanced Hawkeye records of 20 Embraer 190 jets. The port aircraft, 25 medium-lift 1,000 hours of flight testing contract is expected to go into AUSTRALIA helicopters and four Chetak effect within two months, after helicopters of the IAF were fulfilling certain requirements. • The recent Defence White Paper pressed into service during the Delivery is expected to begin included a surprise announcement of a recently concluded elections. in the first semester of 2010. new Australian-owned satellite surveil- While flying over most areas The contract signing ceremo- lance capability. The Policy Analysis, for poll-related duties may ny was held in Argentina’s authored by Andrew Davies, describes seem routine, sorties over the Presidential Palace, attended the potential benefits of such a system naxal affected regions for some by Argentina’s President Cris- and explains how the choice of orbit pilots proved anything but tina Fernández de Kirchner could provide a better-value solution for that. On April 16, the Mi-17 and Brazil’s Ambassador to Australia’s surveillance requirements. crew of Squadron Leader R. Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Argentina Mauro Vieira. Em- Dhobhal and Flying Officer K. Advanced Hawkeye System braer was represented by its BOEING Prakash, facilitating the battle Development and Demon- Executive Vice President, Air- of the ballot, found themselves stration programme aircraft line Market, Mauro Kern and • Boeing has completed the first engine also dodging bullets fired by recently reached its 1,000th Vice President, Contracts–Air- runs on the all-new 787 Dreamliner. The naxalites at Binagonda in hour of flight testing. The line Market, Eduardo Munhós occasion marks the first all-electric start Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli dis- aircraft, currently in flight test- de Campos. The airplanes of a commercial jetliner engine. The trict bordering Chhattisgarh. “I ing at Northrop Grumman’s will be the Advanced Range engine run test began with the Auxiliary heard the burst of fire through East Coast Manufacturing and model, which allows flights of Power System providing power to start the din of the rotating rotors,” Flight Test Centre, continues to up to 4,400 km, and will have the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines recalls Dhobhal, a veteran successfully meet, or exceed, a comfortable dual-class 96- which were then operated at various of two UN missions. “Get- all major programme and seat configuration. power settings to ensure all systems ting away quickly for safety performance milestones. While perform as expected. of the crew, passengers and externally the E-2D is similar New maintenance training the aircraft was all that was to the E-2C, the systems and drive by Hawker Beechcraft • Boeing has announced that it on my mind. In less than 15 capabilities contained in the Hawker Beechcraft Corpo- has received a follow-on contract seconds we were clear of the E-2D have been completely ration has announced an to provide the US Air Force with 46 helipad.” Later, closer inspec- redesigned. Developed and innovative maintenance train- additional Combat Track II airborne tion revealed a hole made by a fielded for the US Navy, the ing programme designed to satellite communication systems which 7.62 mm calibre bullet in the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will develop a new class of highly provide airborne intelligence for cargo tail boom of the helicopter. The provide maritime domain skilled and knowledgeable and bomber aircraft that enhance aircraft was repaired and fer- awareness. At the heart of the aircraft technicians for its situational awareness, increase aircrew ried back to Nagpur. Last year new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye product lines. In partnership survivability and improve airframe on November 14, the IAF lost is the more powerful radar, with FlightSafety Internation- effectiveness. an aircrew when Maoist rebels the AN/APY-9. Designed and al, the new MxPro programme fired at an Mi-8 helicopter dur- built by Lockheed Martin, it incorporates both academic • The Boeing Company has received a ing a similar poll-related task represents a two-generational and hands-on methods of contract from the US Navy for develop- in Chhattisgarh. leap in radar technology. training, leveraging classroom

52 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net NEWSDigest MAJOR UNDERLINES KEY CHALLENGES, HANDS OVER IAF BATON TO NAIK QuickRoundUp

he Indian Air Force (IAF) is capability- based and not threat-centric,” Chief of ment and testing of a Distributed the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal F.H. Targeting system for the F/A-18E/F T Super Hornet strike fighter. This new Major said, addressing a joint media confer- targeting capability is part of the ence with the CAS designate Air Marshal P.V. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Network Centric Naik in Delhi on May 25. “Threat and intent are Warfare Upgrades programme and two different things. We have capability to deal F/A-18E/F Flight Plan, a technology- with conflict situation in its entire spectrum,” insertion programme that ensures he assured, emphasising that the situation was the Block II Super Hornet will stay perfectly normal on the international border ahead of known and emerging threats and Line of Control. through 2025 and beyond. In his last interaction with the media prior to remitting office on May 31, Air Chief Mar- • Boeing has achieved another shal Major expressed his gratitude to the gov- milestone for the first 747-8 Freighter ernments of the past and present for their tre- by completing assembly of the mendous support in the allocation and release airplane’s forward fuselage. The 89- of funds to the IAF, keeping the best interests CHANGE OF GUARD: MAJOR (LEFT) GREETS HIS foot, 2-inch fuselage section, featuring of national security in mind. Asked how the SUCCESSOR AIR CHIEF MARSHAL P.V. NAIK AFTER the airplane’s signature upper deck, HANDING OVER CHARGE ON MAY 31 IAF was placed vis-à-vis China in terms of its was moved from the final assembly fleet and equipment, the CAS replied: “We are installation tool for sealing and testing placed very well. We are taking more measures mission in certain branches. This is just a be- before beginning systems installa- to further improve our combat efficiency and ginning. There could be a possibility of increas- tion. The 747-8 features a stretched proficiency.” ing permanent commission to other branches fuselage compared to that of the However, he was not very forthcoming on 747-400. It is 18 ft, 4 inches longer also”. The CAS designate added that 42 women than its predecessor. the contents of the discussion between the gov- cadets undergoing training at the Air Force ernment and the armed forces, as also National Academy since January could avail the option CPI AEROSTRUCTURES Security Guard commandos and senior Maha- of permanent commission after completing the rashtra police officers, in the wake of the Mum- five-year short service commission. • CPI Aerostructures, Inc. has an- bai terror attacks. “India had various options The CAS was confident that when India’s nounced that the Boeing Integrated vis-à-vis Pakistan following the 26/11 Mumbai first manned mission to space takes off, pos- Defense Systems has expanded the attacks and the force had enough intelligence to sibly in 2017, it will have IAF personnel on scope of work that CPI Aero will per- do what it wanted.” board. “Let me promise you one thing: if there form under its previously announced Stressing that the future of women was is an Indian man on moon it will be from the long-term requirements contract to extremely bright in the IAF, Major pointed out Indian Air Force.” • support Boeing’s A-10 Wing Replace- that “very recently there has been a government ment Programme. In June 2007, approval for granting women permanent com- —By Sangeeta Saxena Boeing received a contract to produce up to 242 enhanced wings for the US Air Force’s A-10 Thunderbolt attack jet. environments with situational Embraer Original Equipment DEFENSE SECURITY learning. MxPro’s advanced Manufacturer aircraft parts. COOPERATION AGENCY maintenance training curricu- Based in Boca Raton, Florida, lum draws on Hawker Beech- Volvo Aero Services will • The Defense Security Cooperation craft’s intimate knowledge of promote and sell spare parts Agency has notified Congress of a its aircraft and FlightSafety’s as an additional Embraer possible Foreign Military Sale to world-class training. The pro- outlet. The agreement covers the government of Morocco of one gramme immerses Hawker materials deemed surplus by Gulfstream G-550, related services Beechcraft technicians into Embraer. Volvo Aero Services and spare parts. The Royal Moroccan a learning environment spe- managed on behalf of the own- will manage and promote this Air Force will use the new aircraft to cifically designed to replicate er by Prestige Jet, also of Abu inventory, under Embraer’s transport its Head of State. real-life service issues and Dhabi. The maximum range control, according to estab- events. Aircraft are used to of the Lineage 1000, originally lished sales goals. DRDO, INDIA reinforce classroom material projected to be 7,778 km with with an interactive computer eight passengers, or 8,056 km Europe • Agni–2 was flight tested by Strategic 3D model for in-depth opera- with four passengers, has been Forces Team at Wheeler Island, near tional and maintenance tasks, extended to 8,149 km with Petroleum Air Services Dhamra, off Orissa Coast. The launch further enhancing the training eight passengers, or 8,344 km orders two AW139 copters was witnessed by senior officers of experience. with four passengers. AgustaWestland, a Finmec- the DRDO and armed forces. Flight canica company, has signed test was conducted as part of training First Lineage 1000 delivered Embraer expands spare a contract with Petroleum exercise of the Indian Army. On May 7, Embraer delivered parts distribution channel Air Services (PAS) of Egypt the first Lineage 1000 execu- Embraer has established a for the sale of two AW139 LOCKHEED MARTIN tive jet in São José dos Cam- four-year partnership with medium, twin-engine heli- pos, Brazil, to HE Aamer Abdul Volvo Aero Services Corp. in copters plus two optional • Lockheed Martin has been awarded Jalil Al Fahim, of Abu Dhabi, the US, naming the company aircraft. These helicopters a contract by the Boeing Company for UAE. The aircraft will be official distribution centre for will be used for offshore oil

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 53 NEWSDigest APPOINTMENTS Vision Assurance System RoundUp (EVAS), finalised an agreement Quick INDIAN AIR FORCE with Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. With the elevation of Air to equip all of Dassault Falcon the technology development phase Marshal P.V. Naik to the IAF’s Jet’s demonstration aircraft of the F/A-18E/F Infrared Search and top post as the Chief of the with EVAS. Dassault Falcon Track (IRST) programme. The technol- Air Staff (CAS), movements of Jet currently offers EVAS as ogy development contract follows a a large number of air officers optional equipment on all new two-year pre-system design and devel- has been necessitated. The aircraft. The Emergency Vision opment programme in which Lockheed new postings effective from and gas support operations Assurance System is the only Martin was down-selected as the sole June 1 are as follows: by PAS. This order marks the cockpit smoke displacement source provider. The F/A-18E/F IRST • Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS): entrance of the best selling system that is approved and is a passive, infrared sensor system Air Marshal P.K. Barbora AW139 helicopter into the certified by the FAA, EASA and that enables long-range detection • Air Officer Commanding-in- Egyptian market and further Transport Canada to effectively and weapons-quality track of enemy Chief, Western Air Command strengthens its presence in defend against heavy and con- targets under normal and electronic (AOC-in-C, WAC): Air Marshal the Mediterranean area. tinuous smoke emergencies in attack environments. N.A.K. Browne the cockpit and cabin. • Deputy Chief of Air Staff Turkish Airlines inks deal • Lockheed Martin, along with team- (DCAS): Air Marshal N.V. Tyagi with Boeing for 777-300ERs AgustaWestland launches mates ITT, Clifton, and General Dynam- • Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Turkish Airlines and the copter tactics training project ics of Gilbert, Ariz., have completed a South Western Air Command Boeing Company have signed comprehensive spacecraft segment (SASO, HQ SWAC): Air Mar- a deal for the sale of five Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of shal D.C. Kumaria Boeing 777-300ER (Extended US Air Force’s next-generation Global • Director General Air (Op- Range) airplanes. This is the Positioning System (GPS) spacecraft, erations), Air HQ: Air Marshal first time Turkish Airlines has known as GPS III. The PDR represented A.K. Gogoi purchased new 777s directly the culmination of 70 subsystem and from Boeing. The airline cur- assembly PDRs, executed over the past NEW SALES & BUSINESS rently operates a fleet of 65 six months. DEVELOPMENT Boeing airplanes including DIRECTOR FOR MBDA Next-Generation 737s and MTU AERO ENGINES Antonio Perfetti has been leased 777-300ERs. AgustaWestland, a Finmecca- appointed Executive Group nica company, announced at • It had been at a record-setting Director Sales and Business Airbus alters A380 delivery the ITEC 2009 exhibition the pace that MTU Aero Engines set up Development by MBDA. In this schedule for 2009-2010 launch of a Helicopter Tactics its new affiliate in Poland’s Rzeszów role, Antonio is replacing Fab- Due to the current economic Training Programme for mili- which took a mere nine months rizio Giulianini. Antonio also and aviation crisis, and follow- tary helicopter crews to help from groundbreaking to startup of replaces Fabrizio as Managing ing specific customer requests them prepare for deployed operations in April this year. MTU Director of MBDA Italy. for deferrals, Airbus is adapt- multi-national operations, Aero Engines Polska was officially ing its A380 aircraft delivery especially in conflict zones inaugurated in a ceremony attended EUROFIGHTER schedule for 2009/2010. where risks can be signifi- by high-¬ranking representatives from Bernhard Gerwert is the new According to the new plan, cantly reduced by pre-deploy- business, politics and culture includ- Chairman of the Eurofighter Airbus expects to deliver 14 ment tactics training. The ing Polish Vice Prime Minister and Supervisory Board, while Enzo double-decker aircraft in 2009 AgustaWestland Helicopter Minister of the Economy Waldemar Casolini is the new CEO of and more than 20 aircraft Tactics Training Programme Pawlak. MTU Aero Engines Polska has Eurofighter GmbH. in 2010. Onward produc- is designed to train crews in been set up near Rzeszów Airport. tion rates and deliveries are how to best deal with threats THALES ANNOUNCES NEW dependent on airline demand present in current operational NORTHROP GRUMMAN CEO, BOARD OF DIRECTORS and availability of customer theatres and conflict zones, With effect from May 19, Luc financing. Airbus will take and improving the ability of • Northrop Grumman Corporation has Vigneron has been appointed mitigating actions against the crews to achieve their mis- announced that the company’s Techni- Chairman and Chief Ex- negative effects of the new sions while reducing risk to cal Services along with TIMCO Aviation ecutive Officer of Thales. The A380 plan on free cash-flow of aircraft and personnel. The Services Inc., AAR, Chromalloy Gas composition of the new Board the company. There will be no training programme builds on Turbine LLC, and MTU Maintenance of Directors is as follows: significant impact on EBIT. initial work already carried have entered in the competition for • Bruno Bézard In addition, Airbus has out for the European Defence the US Air Force’s KC/KDC-10 Extender • Marie-Paule Delpierre confirmed its intention to re- Agency. contractor logistics support contract. • Charles Edelstenne duce the A320 family produc- Northrop Grumman Technical Services • Yannick d’Escatha tion rate from 36 to 34 aircraft Thales’s new RealitySeven is a logistics support, sustainment and • Dominique Floch per month from October 2009. simulator for Turkish Airlines technical services powerhouse for the • Roger Freeman Production of the A330/340 Thales has won a significant corporation and its customers. • Stève Gentili family runs currently at a rate contract to supply two of its • Philippe Lepinay of 8.5 aircraft per month. The new RealitySeven Full Flight ORBITAL SCIENCES • Didier Lombard A350XWB development pro- Simulators (FFS) to Turkish CORPORATION • Pierre Mutz cess continues with full speed. Airlines. This brings to 14 the • Bruno Parent total number of RealitySeven • Orbital Sciences Corporation • Loïk Segalen Dassault Falcon Jet to equip FFS sold to date, including has announced that its Minotaur-I • Amaury de Sèze demo aircraft with EVAS Airbus’ decision to acquire rocket has successfully launched • Eric Trappier EVASWordwide of Mahwah six of the new simulators for the Tactical Satellite-3 for the US Air • TSA, represented by NJ, the dedicated international its facilities in France and in Force. The mission originated from Bernard Rétat distributor of the Emergency the US. Thales’s new Reality-

54 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net NEWSDigest SHOW CALENDAR AWACS: AN EYE IN THE SKY FOR THE IAF QuickRoundUp 9 June – 10 June PRECISION STRIKE the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport ARMAMENTS TECHNOLOGY launch facility at NASA’s Wallops FIRE-POWER FORUM Flight Facility on Wallops Island. This Hanover Marriott, Whippany, was the 16th successful mission for New Jersey, USA the Minotaur programme since its URL: www.precisionstrike.org inception in 2000.

9 June – 11 June SAAB & SWISS UAV INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE LOGISTICS 2009 • Saab and Swiss UAV have signed Hotel Le Plaza, a strategic business agreement to Brussels, Belgium HERE, AT LAST: THE AWACS LOOMS OVER THE GATHERING DURING increase technology superiority within URL: www.wbresearch.com ITS INDUCTION CEREMONY IN DELHI ON MAY 28 the Unmanned Airborne System (UAS) area. The agreement seeks to develop 12 June – 14 June ogged by delays, a long-standing operational requirement a family of cost-efficient vertical take AEROEXPO LONDON of the armed forces was finally fulfilled with the induction off and landing UAS platforms and Wycombe Airpark, of the first of three Airborne Warning and Control System services, to meet a variety of user Buckinghamshire, UK D needs. This agreement is of strategic (AWACS) into the Indian Air Force on May 28. Serving as a vigilant URL: www.expo.aero importance for Saab and a milestone eye and ear in the sky, the AWACS will detect intruding enemy air- in UAS development. Saab has been 15 June – 21 June craft and listen in on aerial communications. “The AWACS will en- involved in UAS development for more PARIS AIR SHOW hance our offensive and defensive preparedness,” Defence Minister then a decade. Le Bourget Airport, Paris A.K. Antony said at the event attended by the Ambassadors Kon- URL: www.paris-air-show.com stantin Vasikiev and Mark Soffer of Russia and Israel, respectively, UK Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major and CAS 17 June – 18 June designate Air Marshal P.V. Naik, besides a host of other dignitaries. • RAF pilots will train alongside British WARSHIP 2009: AIR “In an era of network centric warfare, the Uzbek made, Rus- Army forward air controllers and POWER AT SEA sia modified and Israel installed AWACS has the first 360 degree artillery personnel prior to deployment New Connaught Rooms, phased array radar with the largest and heaviest dome. The un- to the front line due to a contract London, blinking three antennas, can assess long distance targets and awarded by the UK’s MOD for the United Kingdom eavesdrop on the enemy,” Air Chief Marshal Major explained. With Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training URL: www.rina.org.uk/war- this induction, India joins an elite club of six other nations—the contract over the next four years. ship2009 US, Russia, UK, Japan, Australia and Turkey—to operate such a Under the contract, QinetiQ (as the sophisticated system. • project lead) and Boeing will provide 24 June —By Sangeeta Saxena around 44-weeks access to specialist NBAA BUSINESS AVIATION synthetic training facilities each year. REGIONAL FORUM By working together they will safely Signature Flight Support, experience the complexities of control- St. Paul Downtown Airport, Seven FFS is based on a ling aircraft, artillery and other assets, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA modular design, with a com- all in fast-moving situations. URL: www.nbaa.org mon core element indepen- dent of the aircraft type. Dif- US 30 June – 1 July ferent aircraft modules can AVIATION OUTLOOK effectively be “swapped” out, • US Defense Secretary Robert Gates INDIA 2009 as a customer’s fleet or train- has confirmed during an appearance Hyatt Regency, Mumbai, India ing business needs change, before a House of Representatives URL: www.terrapinn.com without the entire simulator committee, that Iran has tested a needing to be replaced and in Austria, and NIKI plans to medium range ballistic missile that 27 July – 29 July without the need for further debut the E-Jet on new intra- can reach Israel, southeastern Europe IDGA’S HR FOR DEFENSE investment. European routes. The deal and US bases in the Middle East. A SUMMIT was announced in July 2008, Pentagon spokesman says the test “is TBA, Washington, DC, USA during the UK’s Farnborough consistent” with US concerns about URL: www.idga.org/us/hr CIVIL AVIATION Air Show, and includes firm Iran’s effort to develop ballistic mis- orders for five E-190s, plus siles and its nuclear programme. 27 July – 2 August Europe five purchase rights. Benefit- EAA AIRVENTURE ing from the unparalleled • The US Army has awarded DynCorp Wittman Regional Airport, Austria’s Niki receives first efficient operating costs of International a task order under the Oshkosh, Wisconsin Embraer 190 Jet the E-Jets, as well as low fuel Contract Field Teams to provide the- URL: www.airventure.org On May 14, Embraer deliv- burn and emissions levels, the ater aviation maintenance support in ered the first Embraer 190 low-cost carrier will become Europe. The task order is for one base 13 August – 15 August jet to Austria’s NIKI Luftfahrt the first in Europe to combine year and one option year. Under the LATIN AMERICAN GmbH at the company’s the 100-seat EMBRAER 190, task order, DynCorp International will BUSINESS AVIATION headquarters in São José dos optimised for mid-density provide field level and limited depot ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE Campos, Brazil. The aircraft routes, with conventional level maintenance, aircraft modifica- & EXHIBITION will serve the airline’s Euro- 150 to 210-seat narrow-body tions, and support for aviation reset São Paulo, Brazil pean network, operating from aircraft, optimised for high- operations for Army rotary wing aircraft. www.labace.aero Vienna and Innsbruck, density routes. •

Issue 5 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 55 LASTWord CHINA UNSTOPPABLE istory was made on May 18, when the first Airbus 7 per cent. Aggressive A320 aircraft assembled outside Europe success- approach, coupled with fully completed its maiden test flight at the Tianjin ingenious foresight, has Binhai International Airport in China. The event ensured that its market Hcame amid fears of large scale layoffs by the company in share today stands at ap- the wake of cancellation of orders, reducing its backlog of proximately 40 per cent. 3,600 aircraft substantially. Despite assurances about job In four years time, Airbus The Tianjin facility has security, the impact of recession has compelled Airbus to hopes to raise this figure cut production from 36 to 34 aircraft per month. With only to 50 per cent. Dialogue produced an A320— around 30 confirmed orders for A320 so far in the current between the partners is the ﬁrst Airbus aircraft year, deferred deliveries of the A380 and a dull business jet in progress to establish market, prospects for the French civil aviation industry for another plant to assemble to be assembled outside 2009 appear least inspiring. the A350 XWB. A deal has Europe—signalling The A320 facility at Tianjin near Beijing is a collaborative also been signed by China effort between Airbus and China Aviation Industry Corpora- with Bombardier to man- BEIJING’S tion, the largest manufacturer of aircraft in China, in which ufacture the centre-fuse- the former holds 51 per cent stake. The facility took just un- lage of the new Bombar- AMBITIONS TO der eight months to assemble the first A320 from largely im- dier C-Series aircraft. TAKE ON THE ported components. However, the facility will progressively While the China-as- build up the capability of manufacturing two A320 aircraft sembled Airbus aircraft GIANTS of the global per month by December 2009 and hopes to double produc- will have a distinct com- aviation industry tion capacity in two years time. petitive edge both in re- Driven by a rapidly growing economy and rising levels spect of quality and price, of prosperity over the last decade and a half, China is now the Chinese agenda goes emerging as the second largest aviation market in the world well beyond mere joint next only to the US. Airbus already has orders in excess of ventures. To start with, 700 aircraft from airlines in China. The prevailing global the experience and expertise acquired through such collab- economic turmoil would undoubtedly adversely impact the orative efforts would be used by Beijing as a launch pad growth of the aviation sector in China as everywhere else in to graduate to higher levels within the country’s indigenous the world, but the slowdown may only be temporary. With aviation industry prior to subsequently making forays into the revival of the global economy, passenger and cargo traffic the global arena. A distinct step in this direction is the estab- are expected to grow fairly rapidly and estimates are that the lishment of a new company, the Commercial Aircraft Corpo- country would have a potential market to absorb on an aver- ration of China, to develop new 150 seat and 100-tonne ca- age around 150 airliners every year over the next two de- pacity airliners that will ultimately compete, in perhaps five cades—during which period, Airbus hopes to sell as many as years time, with the global giants. The irony is hard to miss. 180 A380 Super Jumbos and 130 cargo planes to China. The Should such a scenario come to pass, Airbus and Boeing, total outlay for all types of airliners sold in China is estimated however galling, would have to compete with the very entity to be in the region of $350 billion (Rs 16,55,250 crore). with whom they are at present collaborating. China already Not surprising, therefore, that attention of the two giant has the experience of building MD-80s under licence and OEMs must turn to the enormous potential of the Chinese mar- has successfully designed and developed the ARJ21, a twin- ket, drawing them into a fierce rivalry to capture market share. engine, 70 to 100-seat regional jet. The decision to establish a facility to assemble the A320 family Working largely on their own, the Chinese have demon- of aircraft in China at a relatively lower cost primarily for the strated daunting capabilities in space technology and given huge domestic and possibly the regional market is undoubt- the tenacity with which they confront challenges, they could edly a smart move by Airbus. Designed to at least partially well replicate in the aviation industry their successes in neutralise the adverse effects of the sluggish demand in the space exploration. In the final analysis, it is abundantly clear US and Europe, it is also an audacious manoeuvre to wrench China is destined to play a major role in the global aviation market share from its rival Boeing that has been the dominant industry—irrespective of any assistance from global aero- player on the scene for a long time. In 1995, Airbus was strug- space majors. SP

ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA ILLUSTRATION: gling to retain a foothold with a market share of a miniscule — Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey

56 SP’S AVIATION Issue 5 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net Wi t h t h e TRUEn g i n e ™ s i g n a t ur e y o u c a n n o w m a s t e r t h e a r t o f s p o t t i n g a t ru e o r i g i n a l .

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