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February 10-23, 2020 . Volume 182 . Number 3

Chinese commercial aircraft 56 are mostly idle. Xiamen Airlines canceled 77% of its flights on Feb. 4.

FEATURES DEFENSE AVIATION WEEK EXPLAINS 20 | U.S. Air Force defines radical 39 | Answers to key questions about 18 | Hyper HAWCs vision for command and control the UK’s looming EU exit Scramjet-powered cruise missile emerges as new priority as 24 | U.S. Navy brings aircraft to its ROTORCRAFT Pentagon addresses challenges of newest carrier for the first time 42 | Leonardo short-circuits light helo hypersonic boost-glide missiles 46 | Belgian air power transformation development with Kopter buy 52 | Reshaping the Future will touch nearly every fleet 44 | Erickson’s improved Air Crane Wind-tunnel tests advance COMMERCIAL AVIATION could fight fires autonomously alternative configuration for future 26 | Back to the drawing board for 45 | Sikorsky finalizes upgrade plans fuel-efficient narrowbody airliner Boeing’s new midmarket airplane for the S-92 heavy-lift helicopter

56 | Coronavirus Crisis 28 | 777X flight-test campaign takes off, SPACE The outbreak has devastated giving Boeing a bright spot 47 | Commercial space and airlines Chinese commercial aviation and debate over spaceport needs will affect Asia-Pacific airlines due 32 | Boeing is years away from normal, to the regional travel slump and its supply chain may change 49 | Europe outlines plans for reusable 70 | Gatwick drone scare drives launcher demonstrators 60 | Singapore Airshow countermeasures deployments Options, challenges and ramp-ups 50 | European Space Agency struggles abound in Asia-Pacific aviation, BUSINESS with ExoMars 2020 schedule aerospace and defense 34 | Airbus pays a huge bribery fine, 51 | Sophisticated clientele drive avoiding investigation and trials changes in space-based sensing INTERVIEW VIEWPOINT DEPARTMENTS 36 | AAR President/CEO John Holmes 74 | Flight-shaming is gaining ground, sees lots of runway but you shouldn’t be ashamed to fly 5 | Feedback 16 | Airline Intel 6 | Who’s Where 72 | Classified 8 | First Take 73 | Contact Us ON THE COVER 10 | Up Front 73 | Aerospace Ahead of runs to evaluate the high-lift system, NASA engineer Greg Gatlin (right) and Boeing engineer 12 | Going Concerns Calendar Mike Beyar inspect an 8%-scale model of the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing ultra-efficient airliner in the 14 | Inside Business 14 X 22-ft. Subsonic Tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. Technology Executive Editor Graham Aviation Warwick’s report begins on page 52. NASA photo by Harlen Capen. Aviation Week publishes a digital edition every week. Read it at AviationWeek.com/AWST DIGITAL EXTRAS Access exclusive online features from articles accompanied by this icon.

AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 3 Editor-In-Chief Joseph C. Anselmo [email protected] Executive Editors Jen DiMascio (Defense and Space) [email protected] Jens Flottau (Commercial Aviation) [email protected] Graham Warwick (Technology) [email protected] Editors Lindsay Bjerregaard, Sean Broderick, Michael Bruno, Bill Carey, Thierry Dubois, William Garvey, Ben Goldstein, Lee Hudson, Irene Klotz, Helen Massy- Beresford, Jefferson Morris, Guy Norris, Tony Osborne, Bradley Perrett, James Pozzi, Adrian Schofield, Lee Ann Shay, Steve Trimble Chief Aircraft Evaluation Editor Fred George Director, Editorial and Online Production Michael O. Lavitt Associate Managing Editor Andrea Hollowell Art Director Lisa Caputo Artists Thomas De Pierro, Rosa Pineda, Colin Throm Copy Editors Jack Freifelder, Arturo Mora, Natalia Pelayo, Andy Savoie Production Editors Audra Avizienis, Bridget Horan Contributing Photographer Joseph Pries Director, Digital Content Strategy Rupa Haria Content Marketing Manager Rija Tariq Data & Analytics Director, Forecasts and Aerospace Insights Brian Kough Senior Manager, Data Operations/Production Terra Deskins Manager, Military Data Operations Michael Tint Editorial Offices 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, D.C. 20037 Phone: +1 (202) 517-1100 605 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10158 Phone: +1 (212) 204-4200 Bureau Chiefs Auckland Adrian [email protected] Beijing GoGo beyondbeyond thethe newsnews ofof thethe Bradley Perrett [email protected] dayday withwith AviationAviation WWeekeek Cape Canaveral Irene Klotz [email protected] IntelligenceIntelligence Network’sNetwork’s Chicago Lee Ann Shay [email protected] Market Brieﬁ ngs. Frankfurt Jens Flottau [email protected] Houston These sector-specifi c intelligence Mark Carreau [email protected] briefi ngs empower busy Kuala Lumpur executives to stay-ahead of the Marhalim Abas [email protected] London market, identify opportunities and Tony Osborne [email protected] drive revenue. Los Angeles Guy Norris [email protected] Lyon Thierry Dubois [email protected] LEARN MORE: Moscow Maxim Pyadushkin [email protected] aviationweek.com/marketbrieﬁ ngs New Delhi Jay Menon [email protected] Paris Helen Massy-Beresford [email protected] Washington Jen DiMascio [email protected] Wichita Molly McMillin [email protected]

President, Aviation Week Network Gregory Hamilton Managing Director, Intelligence & Data Services Anne McMahon

4 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/awst FEEDBACK

Editor-In-Chief Joseph C. Anselmo [email protected] any time the aircraft is not doing what Executive Editors Jen DiMascio (Defense and Space) [email protected] you want it to do when on autopilot, Jens Flottau (Commercial Aviation) [email protected] after a brief check to be sure that you Graham Warwick (Technology) [email protected] are in fact on autopilot, the first and Editors Lindsay Bjerregaard, Sean Broderick, best thing to do is to disconnect the Michael Bruno, Bill Carey, Thierry Dubois, William Garvey, autopilot and hand-fly it until further Ben Goldstein, Lee Hudson, Irene Klotz, Helen Massy- Beresford, Jefferson Morris, Guy Norris, Tony Osborne, analysis can be made. Bradley Perrett, James Pozzi, Adrian Schofield, It always pays to be suspicious of au- Lee Ann Shay, Steve Trimble ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS tomated systems. They are wonderful Chief Aircraft Evaluation Editor Fred George WHO DOES BETTER? things, but they can and occasionally Director, Editorial and Online Production Michael O. Lavitt Regarding the recent article “Climate 737s were produced and 50,000 crews do fail. Trying to use manual control Associate Managing Editor Andrea Hollowell of Fear” (Jan. 13-26, p. 32), it is acknowl- flew them. to override a malfunctioning autopilot Art Director Lisa Caputo edged that aircraft account for about FAR/AC 25.1309, arguably the that can’t be manually taken offline is Artists Thomas De Pierro, Rosa Pineda, Colin Throm Copy Editors Jack Freifelder, Arturo Mora, 3% of CO2 emissions. If one takes into guiding principle for complex system a scenario that the designers must not Natalia Pelayo, Andy Savoie account all greenhouse gas emissions design and certification, itself matured let happen again. Production Editors Audra Avizienis, Bridget Horan (CO2, methane, extra water vapor, during those 60 years. But what may The pilot has to be able to intuitive- Contributing Photographer Joseph Pries etc.), this percentage falls to about 2%. have changed most over time is the ly, quickly and simply take it offline. A Director, Digital Content Strategy Rupa Haria Question: Who or what is responsible external environment associated with guarded switch is easy to include on Content Marketing Manager Rija Tariq for the other 98%, and what is to be complex system problem-solving that the panel. You don’t want that maneu- Data & Analytics Director, Forecasts and Aerospace Insights Brian Kough done about it? Could the answer be each of us uses in whatever way we ver to have to be on a checklist. The Senior Manager, Data Operations/Production a theme to develop to put things in touch the aerospace product. The stick, rudder and trim controls should Terra Deskins perspective? “basal instinct” unstructured approach all work as advertised, whether or Manager, Military Data Operations Michael Tint Also, I recently flew a Paris-Mexico by which we guess our way through not they are being commanded by the Editorial Offices leg on an Airbus A380 with about personal computer hardware-software autopilot. We still have a lot of ground 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, D.C. 20037 Phone: +1 (202) 517-1100 500 passengers onboard (9,100 km challenges every day has established to cover in the autopilot and autono- 605 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10158 or 5,656 mi.) during which I was told the method by which we learn. mous-flight regime, it appears, before Phone: +1 (212) 204-4200 about 10,000 liters (26,400 gal.) were The integrity of the whole aviation we can trust our aircraft’s automated Bureau Chiefs consumed. A short calculation shows system depends upon reliable and flight systems as much as we trust Auckland that means each passenger consumed accurate embedded processes, from ourselves. Adrian [email protected] about 2.2 liters per 100 km design to operations to maintenance. Beijing GoGo beyondbeyond thethe newsnews ofof thethe Bradley Perrett [email protected] (115 mi. per gal.). Apart from railways, So added to Anselmo’s punch list for Jim Johnson, Olympia, Washington who does better? Calhoun must be the significant task dayday withwith AviationAviation WWeekeek Cape Canaveral Irene Klotz [email protected] It seems to me that aviation is the of stabilizing and rebasing that whole ONLINE, regarding “Declassified Sen- IntelligenceIntelligence Network’sNetwork’s Chicago weakest economic/political element of external environment in which avia- sors Fill Cracks In Israeli Air And Missile Market Brieﬁ ngs. Lee Ann Shay [email protected] all the greenhouse gas producers and tion problem-solving operates. That is Defense Net” (Jan. 27-Feb. 9, p. 62), Frankfurt therefore the one most likely to be at- probably the greatest challenge. RENGAB1 writes: Jens Flottau [email protected] tacked and pinpointed as the “bad guy.” Radar stealth is being neutralized by Houston These sector-specifi c intelligence Mark Carreau [email protected] Ted Ralston, Honolulu, Hawaii sensors fusion. briefi ngs empower busy Kuala Lumpur Pierre Papucci, Nantes, France Soon, even with highly directional executives to stay-ahead of the Marhalim Abas [email protected] MANUAL CONTROL A MUST sound sensors. London ADDING TO THE PUNCH LIST market, identify opportunities and My perspective on your coverage of Tony Osborne [email protected] In “After Muilenburg” (Jan. 13-26, the Boeing 737 MAX and manual flight In response to “Opinion: Why Govern- Los Angeles drive revenue. ments Must Decide When Not To Fly” Guy Norris [email protected] p. 66), AW&ST Editor-In-Chief Joe control is that I flew U.S. Air Force Lyon Anselmo provided new Boeing CEO C-130s and C-141s for Military Airlift (Jan. 27-Feb. 9, p. 66), BERNARD.MOOREII Thierry Dubois [email protected] David Calhoun a set of New Year’s Command between 1969 and 1972. Mil- writes: LEARN MORE: Moscow resolutions that Calhoun must make itary or civilian, all transport aircraft Excellent but long overdue piece. Maxim Pyadushkin [email protected] to get Boeing back to coordinated are designed to have margins and sta- These accidental (but not completely aviationweek.com/marketbrieﬁ ngs New Delhi flight, straight and level. As a former bility and be able to be flown manually accidental) shootdowns are at least Jay Menon [email protected] engineer in the aerospace business, in any normal flight regime, from start negligent manslaughter in my view. Paris Helen Massy-Beresford [email protected] these “conventional wisdom” general of takeoff to rollout after landing. . . . The airlines, governments AND Washington observations always made me won- We learned all we could about the pilots share responsibility. And every- Jen DiMascio [email protected] der: What do I do differently, starting autopilots because at high altitude they one should recognize once more that Wichita tomorrow, having read the media do a much better job of precise altitude militaries with modern, expensive Molly McMillin [email protected] opinion of today? What really is the and heading control and saved us a lot weaponry make lots of misidentifica- crux of the problem, the thing we of work. With the autopilot or flight tions in war. And there is every reason President, Aviation Week Network Gregory Hamilton must actually fix? control system, one rule prevails: If at to believe it will happen again. Managing Director, Intelligence & Data Services Countless people at Boeing and Anne McMahon the FAA have dedicated their efforts to safety management systems and Address letters to the Editor-in-Chief, Aviation Week & Space Technology, numerous, virtually continuous fail- 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC, 20037 or send via email to: ure-mode, effects and criticality anal- [email protected] Letters may be edited for length and clarity; ysis (FMECA) over 60 years as 10,000 a verifiable address and daytime telephone number are required.

4 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/awst AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 5 WHO’S WHERE Webhed: New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections Teaser: Primary Category: Surrey Satellite Tech- of supply chain management experi- velopment. He had overseen business Secondary Category: nology Ltd. has hired ence. Wilson has 30 years’ experience, development at ManTech. Phil Brownnett as including 22 years at Delta Air Lines. Copenhagen-based Infare, an air- Bullet Points: managing director. Maury brings 21 years of aviation sales fare-pricing data He had been UK experience service, has hired managing director of Barfield Inc., an Fredrik Palm as chief geointelligence at Air- AFI KLM E&M sub- technology officer. bus Defense and Space. He succeeds sidiary, has promoted Palm was Qlik vice Sarah Parker, who has left the compa- Gilles Mercier to president of research ny. Brownnett has extensive experience senior vice president and development and in oil exploration and infrastructure based in Doral, Flor- before that Zaplox engineering and construction. ida. His prior AFI chief technology officer. NASA has promoted Dennis Andru- KLM E&M positions include engineer, CAG Holdings has appointed Ginger cyk to director of the Goddard Space cost and pricing manager, engine-shop Evans as chief strategy officer. She was Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, manager and Air France transforma- CEO of Reach Airports, a CAG/Mu- from deputy associate administrator of tion leader. nich Airport joint venture, and before the Science Mission Directorate, Wash- BridgeComm has hired Michael that was commissioner of the Chicago ington, where he fostered cost-saving Abad-Santos as senior vice president Department of Aviation. CAG also has collaboration with related U.S. and in- of business development and strategy. named Krystal Brumfield chief of staff. ternational entities. Andrucyk has held Abad-Santos was Trustcomm chief She was Reach president and CEO of several engineering and technologist commercial officer and before that the Airport Minority Advisory Council. executive positions since joining NASA LeoSat senior vice The Aerospace in 1988. He also worked at the National president for the Industries Association Security Agency, Naval Research Lab- Americas. has named Alison oratory, Westinghouse, Northrop and Danette Bewley Lynn vice president General Electric. has been promoted of communications. Ashmita Sethi has to president/CEO of She was senior di- been hired as Pratt & the Tucson Airport rector for product Whitney managing di- Authority from pres- communications at rector for India. Sethi ident of operations/chief operating the American Chemistry Council. joins the company fol- officer. Nano Dimension has hired veteran lowing extensive ex- General Dynamics Land Systems has turnaround executive Yoav Stern as perience in corporate named Danny Deep president, a pro- president/CEO. Cofounder and former and public affairs and communications, motion from chief operating officer. CEO Amit Dror will become customer with Boeing and Rolls-Royce. He succeeds Gary L. Whited, who will success officer and continue to serve Lynn M. Bamford has been promoted retire in April. as a director on the to president of the defense and power Virgin Galactic has company’s board. segments at Curtiss-Wright Corp. from promoted Enrico Airbus Helicop- defense solutions senior vice president/ Palermo to chief ters has promoted general manager, and Kevin M. Ray- operating officer in Laurence Petiard ment has been promoted to president addition to his role to head of external of the commercial/industrial segment as president of The communications. from senior vice president/general Spaceship Co., Vir- She has managed manager of the industrial division. gin Galactic’s wholly owned aerospace external communications for several Top Aces has promoted Russ Quinn manufacturing and development sub- civil and military helicopter programs. to president from chief commercial sidiary. Commercial Jet has hired R. Rick officer. He was L-3 Technologies vice Consolidated Analysis Center Interna- Townsend as vice president of sales and president of U.S. Air Force business de- tional (CACI) has hired U.S. Army Lt. marketing. Townsend has held senior velopment. The company also has hired Gen. (ret.) Michael Nagata as senior positions at Avianor, Lufthansa Tech- Kevin Fesler as vice president of busi- vice president and corporate strategic nik and AAR Aircraft Services. ness development. He was executive advisor. He was director of the National Gulfstream has promoted Matt Baer director of U.S. Air Force Programs at Counterterrorism Center’s Directorate to regional vice president of sales for Aerojet Rocketdyne and before that of Strategic and Operational Planning. the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern deputy director of F135 Sustainment at CACI also has hired Marlin Edwards as Canada. He was northeast regional Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. senior vice president of business de- sales manager. c Engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business iAero Thrust To submit information for the Who’s Where column, send Word or attached text files has hired Tommy Mitchell as president, (no PDFs) and photos to: [email protected] For additional information on Mike Wilson as production manager companies and individuals listed in this column, please refer to the Aviation Week Intelligence and Sebastien Maury as vice president Network at AviationWeek.com/awin For information on ordering, telephone for commercial. Mitchell has 27 years U.S.: +1 (866) 857-0148 or +1 (515) 237-3682 outside the U.S.

6 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST WHO’S WHERE Webhed: New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections Teaser: Primary Category: Surrey Satellite Tech- of supply chain management experi- velopment. He had overseen business Secondary Category: nology Ltd. has hired ence. Wilson has 30 years’ experience, development at ManTech. Phil Brownnett as including 22 years at Delta Air Lines. Copenhagen-based Infare, an air- Bullet Points: managing director. Maury brings 21 years of aviation sales fare-pricing data He had been UK experience service, has hired managing director of Barfield Inc., an Fredrik Palm as chief CONSTRUCTION. geointelligence at Air- AFI KLM E&M sub- technology officer. bus Defense and Space. He succeeds sidiary, has promoted Palm was Qlik vice Sarah Parker, who has left the compa- Gilles Mercier to president of research ny. Brownnett has extensive experience senior vice president and development and in oil exploration and infrastructure based in Doral, Flor- before that Zaplox engineering and construction. ida. His prior AFI chief technology officer. NASA has promoted Dennis Andru- KLM E&M positions include engineer, CAG Holdings has appointed Ginger cyk to director of the Goddard Space cost and pricing manager, engine-shop Evans as chief strategy officer. She was Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, manager and Air France transforma- CEO of Reach Airports, a CAG/Mu- from deputy associate administrator of tion leader. nich Airport joint venture, and before the Science Mission Directorate, Wash- BridgeComm has hired Michael that was commissioner of the Chicago ington, where he fostered cost-saving Abad-Santos as senior vice president Department of Aviation. CAG also has collaboration with related U.S. and in- of business development and strategy. named Krystal Brumfieldchief of staff. ternational entities. Andrucyk has held Abad-Santos was Trustcomm chief She was Reach president and CEO of several engineering and technologist commercial officer and before that the Airport Minority Advisory Council. executive positions since joining NASA LeoSat senior vice The Aerospace in 1988. He also worked at the National president for the Industries Association Security Agency, Naval Research Lab- Americas. has named Alison oratory, Westinghouse, Northrop and Danette Bewley Lynn vice president General Electric. has been promoted of communications. Ashmita Sethi has to president/CEO of She was senior di- been hired as Pratt & the Tucson Airport rector for product Whitney managing di- Authority from pres- communications at rector for India. Sethi ident of operations/chief operating the American Chemistry Council. joins the company fol- officer. Nano Dimension has hired veteran F LY lowing extensive ex- General Dynamics Land Systems has turnaround executive Yoav Stern as perience in corporate named Danny Deep president, a pro- president/CEO. Cofounder and former WE MAKE IT and public affairs and communications, motion from chief operating officer. CEO Amit Dror will become customer with Boeing and Rolls-Royce. He succeeds Gary L. Whited, who will success officer and continue to serve Lynn M. Bamford has been promoted retire in April. as a director on the Whether it’s integrating cutting-edge to president of the defense and power Virgin Galactic has company’s board. technology to reduce our environmental segments at Curtiss-Wright Corp. from promoted Enrico Airbus Helicop- defense solutions senior vice president/ Palermo to chief ters has promoted impact, driving innovation to improve general manager, and Kevin M. Ray- operating officer in Laurence Petiard ment has been promoted to president addition to his role to head of external society or ensuring we operate ethically of the commercial/industrial segment as president of The communications. throughout our entire supply chain, Airbus from senior vice president/general Spaceship Co., Vir- She has managed manager of the industrial division. gin Galactic’s wholly owned aerospace external communications for several is committed to developing a sustainable Top Aces has promoted Russ Quinn manufacturing and development sub- civil and military helicopter programs. to president from chief commercial sidiary. Commercial Jet has hired R. Rick future for our business, our stakeholders officer. He was L-3 Technologies vice Consolidated Analysis Center Interna- Townsend as vice president of sales and and the planet. That’s why we embrace president of U.S. Air Force business de- tional (CACI) has hired U.S. Army Lt. marketing. Townsend has held senior velopment. The company also has hired Gen. (ret.) Michael Nagata as senior positions at Avianor, Lufthansa Tech- the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Kevin Fesler as vice president of busi- vice president and corporate strategic nik and AAR Aircraft Services. It’s not only what we make; it’s what ness development. He was executive advisor. He was director of the National Gulfstream has promoted Matt Baer director of U.S. Air Force Programs at Counterterrorism Center’s Directorate to regional vice president of sales for we’re made of. Aerojet Rocketdyne and before that of Strategic and Operational Planning. the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern deputy director of F135 Sustainment at CACI also has hired Marlin Edwards as Canada. He was northeast regional Sustainability. We make it fly. Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. senior vice president of business de- sales manager. c Engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business iAero Thrust To submit information for the Who’s Where column, send Word or attached text files has hired Tommy Mitchell as president, (no PDFs) and photos to: [email protected] For additional information on Mike Wilson as production manager companies and individuals listed in this column, please refer to the Aviation Week Intelligence and Sebastien Maury as vice president Network at AviationWeek.com/awin For information on ordering, telephone for commercial. Mitchell has 27 years U.S.: +1 (866) 857-0148 or +1 (515) 237-3682 outside the U.S. airbus.com 6 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST FIRST

The U.S. Energy Department’s advanced Finance and global investment special- TAKE research projects agency plans a $55 ist KKR for $1 billion. For the latest, go to million investment toward developing AVIATIONWEEK.COM propulsion technology for all-electric, The Indian government has launched 150-200-seat narrowbody airliners. another attempt to sell off Air India, this time offering 100% of the debt-laden air- A European industry/academia con- line. A prior attempt in 2018 to find a buy- sortium will develop a road map to hy- er for a majority stake in the airline failed. brid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft under the Imothep project, SkyTeam members Air France-KLM backed by €10.4 million from the Euro- and Delta Air Lines’ transatlantic joint pean Commission. venture with UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic will take effect Feb. 13, has set tar- bringing together a network of 110 non- BOEING France’s transport ministry gets for use of sustainable jet fuel in com- stop routes. COMMERCIAL AVIATION mercial aviation, replacing 2% of fossil After two days of delays caused by bad fuels with biofuels in 2025, increasing to weather, Boeing’s 777-9, the first of the 5% by 2030 and reaching 50% by 2050. company’s flagship, long-range 777X family, made its first flight, from Ever- Delta Air Lines has signed an offtake ett, Washington, on Jan. 25 (page 28). agreement with Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels that could result in deliver- Boeing reported a net loss of $636 mil- ies of sustainable aviation fuel produced lion for 2019—down from a profit of from forest residues by the end of 2024. UNITED AIRCRAFT CORP. $10.5 billion for 2018—on revenues of DEFENSE $76.6 billion, down 24% and far from the Mitsubishi Aircraft has deferred first de- Russia’s first modernized Tupolev Tu- $109.5-111.5 billion envisioned before the livery of the SpaceJet regional aircraft 160M bomber, with new flight control, 737 MAX crisis (page 32). by at least another nine months, delay- navigation, communication, radar and ing handover to no earlier than the start electronic countermeasures systems, Airbus has reached an “agreement in of its fiscal year beginning April 2021. made its 34-min. first flight on Feb. 2 principle” with French, UK and U.S. from Kazan Aircraft Factory. authorities to pay €3.6 billion ($4 bil- Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways plans lion) in penalties to settle allegations of to sell a large portfolio of its Boeing 777- Germany has canceled plans to develop bribery and corruption in aircraft sales 300ERs, Airbus A330-200s and -300s a signals-intelligence platform based (page 34). to U.S. aviation financier Altavair Air- on Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4 Tri- ton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft. It is looking at using AWARDED a business jet as the platform instead.

William Garvey, Business and Commercial Poland formally signed a letter of offer Aviation editor-in-chief, was inducted into the and acceptance on Jan. 31 to buy 32 “Living Legends of Aviation” in Beverly Hills, Lockheed Martin F-35As for $4.6 bil- LIVING LEGENDS OF AVIATION lion, becoming the first NATO country California, on Jan. 16. Along with other Class bordering Russian territory to adopt of 2020 inductees—including Apollo 13 com- the stealth fighter. mander Jim Lovell, Gulfstream’s Larry Flynn and Sergei Sikorsky—Bill was introduced by U.S. Special Operations Command has the evening’s host, actor/pilot John Travolta, revived the Defense Department’s on- and honored for his long and storied career in again, off-again pursuit of a light-attack aviation journalism. fleet by announcing plans to acquire 75 manned aircraft for the “armed over- The list of more than 100 past recipients watch” mission. includes astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, airline pilots Al Haynes and Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, celebrity pilots Arms agency Rosoberonexport has Harrison Ford and Morgan Freeman, and general aviation leaders Jack Pelton, Brian secured the first sale of Russian Heli- Barents and Clay Lacy. The ceremony is produced annually for the Kiddie Hawk Air copters’ new heavy transport with an Academy, which is dedicated to sparking children’s interest in aviation. unspecified number of military Mi-38Ts to be delivered to an undisclosed customer in 2021-22. After experiencing a record-breaking year in 2019, Myrtle Beach International Airport in Florida was crowned overall winner of the Aviation Week Network’s Routes Northrop Grumman has won a role on Americas 2020 Awards in Indianapolis on Feb. 5. a significant hypersonic defense pro-

8 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST FIRST B-21 Design Changes Compared to B-2 The U.S. Energy Department’s advanced Finance and global investment special- A U.S. Air Force rendering of the Northrop Grumman B-21A released on Jan. TAKE research projects agency plans a $55 ist KKR for $1 billion. 31 provided the first detailed view of the secretive stealth bomber. Aviation For the latest, go to million investment toward developing Week editors quickly produced this sketch to help interpret the key design AVIATIONWEEK.COM propulsion technology for all-electric, The Indian government has launched changes from today’s B-2A, suggesting it is a significantly smaller aircraft. 150-200-seat narrowbody airliners. another attempt to sell off Air India, this time offering 100% of the debt-laden air- A European industry/academia con- line. A prior attempt in 2018 to find a buy- sortium will develop a road map to hy- er for a majority stake in the airline failed. brid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft under the Imothep project, SkyTeam members Air France-KLM NORTROP GRUAN backed by €10.4 million from the Euro- and Delta Air Lines’ transatlantic joint pean Commission. venture with UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic will take effect Feb. 13, has set tar- bringing together a network of 110 non- BOEING France’s transport ministry gets for use of sustainable jet fuel in com- stop routes. COMMERCIAL AVIATION mercial aviation, replacing 2% of fossil After two days of delays caused by bad fuels with biofuels in 2025, increasing to weather, Boeing’s 777-9, the first of the 5% by 2030 and reaching 50% by 2050. company’s flagship, long-range 777X family, made its first flight, from Ever- Delta Air Lines has signed an offtake ett, Washington, on Jan. 25 (page 28). agreement with Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels that could result in deliver- Boeing reported a net loss of $636 mil- ies of sustainable aviation fuel produced GU NORRISAST lion for 2019—down from a profit of from forest residues by the end of 2024. UNITED AIRCRAFT CORP. $10.5 billion for 2018—on revenues of DEFENSE $76.6 billion, down 24% and far from the Mitsubishi Aircraft has deferred first de- Russia’s first modernized Tupolev Tu- gram managed by DARPA, receiving SPACE for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Of- $109.5-111.5 billion envisioned before the livery of the SpaceJet regional aircraft 160M bomber, with new flight control, a $13 million contract under the Glide The FAA will introduce a new Space fi ce, a fl ight that also demonstrated guid- 737 MAX crisis (page 32). by at least another nine months, delay- navigation, communication, radar and Breaker program to develop an ad- Data Integrator system in August to ed reentry of the Electron fi rst stage. ing handover to no earlier than the start electronic countermeasures systems, vanced interceptor. track space launch and recovery op- Airbus has reached an “agreement in of its fiscal year beginning April 2021. made its 34-min. first flight on Feb. 2 erations in real time with traditional A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted o from principle” with French, UK and U.S. from Kazan Aircraft Factory. GENERAL AVIATION air traffic and to reduce the airspace Cape Canaveral on Jan. 29, orbiting a authorities to pay €3.6 billion ($4 bil- Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways plans Leonardo Helicopters is set to take over blocked o to other users. fourth batch of 60 Starlink satellites lion) in penalties to settle allegations of to sell a large portfolio of its Boeing 777- Germany has canceled plans to develop fl edgling Swiss rotorcraft manufacturer as the company gears up to begin of- bribery and corruption in aircraft sales 300ERs, Airbus A330-200s and -300s a signals-intelligence platform based Kopter Group and its in-development Rocket Lab kicked o planned monthly fering high-speed, low-latency internet (page 34). to U.S. aviation financier Altavair Air- on Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4 Tri- SH09 single-turbine light helicopter in launches with a Jan. 30 classifi ed mission services. c ton high-altitude, long-endurance un- a $185 million deal (page 42). manned aircraft. It is looking at using 60 YEARS AGO IN AVIATION WEEK AWARDED a business jet as the platform instead. Despite the Jan. 26 Sikorsky S-76B crash that killed basketball legend Kobe The rst of 10 Convair 880s ordered by William Garvey, Business and Commercial Poland formally signed a letter of offer Bryant, fatal U.S. helicopter accidents Delta Air Lines appeared on our cover of Feb. and acceptance on Jan. 31 to buy 32 decreased over the past two decades Aviation editor-in-chief, was inducted into the 15, 1960, ve days after setting a new U.S. “Living Legends of Aviation” in Beverly Hills, Lockheed Martin F-35As for $4.6 bil- but hit a plateau in 2018 and 2019. LIVING LEGENDS OF AVIATION lion, becoming the first NATO country coast-to-coast commercial speed record California, on Jan. 16. Along with other Class bordering Russian territory to adopt European regulator EASA has proposed during its delivery ight—traveling from San of 2020 inductees—including Apollo 13 com- the stealth fighter. the fi rst certifi cation rules for electri- Diego to Miami in 3 hr. , 31 min. and 54 sec. mander Jim Lovell, Gulfstream’s Larry Flynn fi ed aircraft propulsion. The draft Spe- Built in San Diego by the Convair division of and Sergei Sikorsky—Bill was introduced by U.S. Special Operations Command has cial Condition for Electric and Hybrid General Dynamics and powered by four Gen- the evening’s host, actor/pilot John Travolta, revived the Defense Department’s on- Propulsion Systems is open for public eral Electric CJ805-3 turbojets, the 84-110- again, off-again pursuit of a light-attack comment until March 6. and honored for his long and storied career in seat 880 was conceived as a smaller, faster fleet by announcing plans to acquire 75 aviation journalism. competitor to the Boeing 707 and Douglas manned aircraft for the “armed over- Erickson and Sikorsky will install Matrix The list of more than 100 past recipients watch” mission. autonomy technology on the S-64F Air- DC-8. Delta launched its commercial service includes astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz crane heavy-lift helicopter and demon- on May 15, 1960, between Houston and Aldrin, airline pilots Al Haynes and Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, celebrity pilots Arms agency Rosoberonexport has strate autonomous fi refi ghting capabil- New York. But the speedy jet proved to be a Harrison Ford and Morgan Freeman, and general aviation leaders Jack Pelton, Brian secured the first sale of Russian Heli- ities in 2021 (page 44). commercial op, hobbled by high per-seat Barents and Clay Lacy. The ceremony is produced annually for the Kiddie Hawk Air copters’ new heavy transport with an operating costs. Just 65 were built before unspecified number of military Mi-38Ts light jet is Academy, which is dedicated to sparking children’s interest in aviation. Embraer’s Phenom 300E production ceased in 1962, and Delta retired to be delivered to an undisclosed cus- being upgraded with improvements in tomer in 2021-22. performance, comfort and technology the last of its 880s in 1974. The following Read every issue of Aviation in 2019, Myrtle Beach International After experiencing a record-breaking year as well as an optional new interior. Cer- year, singer Elvis Presley bought a used Con- Week back to 1916 at: Airport in Florida was crowned overall winner of the Aviation Week Network’s Routes Northrop Grumman has won a role on tifi cation is expected in the fi rst quarter vair for personal use and named it after his acive.aviationeek.com Americas 2020 Awards in Indianapolis on Feb. 5. a significant hypersonic defense pro- of the year . daughter, Lisa Marie.

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COMMENTARY UP FRONT RICHARD ABOULAFIA

Airbus and Boeing Advantage Airbus TIN AO Why Boeing must refresh its product line Boeing Airbus 4,000 date its single-aisle and midmarket product line. The 3,500 third is that Boeing cannot do that. There is a lot at 3,000 stake for Boeing and not much time. First, airlines clearly want midsize jets. Last year, 2,500 there were just 673 net orders for all Airbus and 2,000 Boeing jets; 476 of these were for the A321neo. This 1,500 is more than just upgauging; much is due to increasing airline route fragmentation, a trend that will keep 1,000 growing for years to come. 500 This midmarket growth also reflects a shift away 0 from twin-aisles (Boeing’s strongest position) and to- <150 Seats 150 Seats 200 Seats 250-300 >300 Seats ward single-aisles (where Airbus is strongest). Airbus Seats has sold 3,255 A321neos since the type was launched in A TA 2011, or three times as many as the 1,049 Boeing 757s Source: Teal Group sold over 25 years. By contrast, Boeing has sold around there is a difference. When McDonnell absorbed Doug- 650 737 MAX 9/10s (the company does not break out las in 1967, it inherited a single-aisle jet—the DC-9— variant orders). The A321neo is winning by a 5:1 ratio. that proved reasonably well-suited to updates. And While the 737 MAX 8 has done well against the its MD-80 series was a success, staying in production A320neo, as the A321neo continues to grow in popu- through 1999. This also allowed McDonnell to address larity, it will bolster Airbus’ smaller single-aisles, as the core of the single-aisle market, albeit in a declining airlines seek commonality across their fleets. way, without having to launch any new products. Second, Calhoun should remember that there is But if Boeing is to copy McDonnell and neglect in- quite a lot that Airbus can do with its single-aisle vestment in its jetliner business, it will not have 30 product line. In addition to increasing commonality years to coast. The 737 MAX will have 10-12 years be- between the A220 and A320 families, it could stretch fore it needs replacement. the former C Series, creating a 145-150-seat A220-500, And unlike during the McDonnell sunset years, the likely offering lower seat-mile costs. market is shifting upward. If Boeing does not build a While an A220-500 would take away demand for clean-sheet midmarket airplane, it will lose at least the A320neo, Airbus could compensate by making the 15%, and perhaps 20%, of the market. What was a 50/50 A320neo and A321neo more capable models. The A220’s duopoly will become a 65/35 duopoly, or perhaps even wings use resin transfer infusion (RTI) composites. a 70/30 one. In an industry that is heavily dependent Adapting this technology for the A320/321neo, perhaps on volume to achieve the lower costs that airline cus- with an engine update, would produce 150-240-seat tomers demand, such a market-share decline would be jets with greater range and superb economics. tough to recover from. Most intriguingly, if the A321neo can be stretched, Whether Calhoun remains as CEO or not, Boeing Airbus would have an even greater midmarket catego- needs to digest the clear conclusion from these three re- ry killer. With new RTI wings and new, more powerful alities: Product development inaction is a recipe for Air- engines, an A322neo would be a true global route-frag- bus market dominance, possibly for decades to come. c mentation machine, building on the Boeing 787’s remarkable work in creating new thinner routes. Contributing columnist Richard Aboulafia is vice president of Third, by contrast with this incredible menu of analysis at Teal Group. He is based in Washington.

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COMMENTARY UP FRONT RICHARD ABOULAFIA

ONE OF INCOMING BOEING CEO Airbus possibilities, Boeing can do nothing more to Dave Calhoun’s first actions has been to the 737. The MAX 9/10 and MAX 200 are clearly out- order a rethink of the company’s new classed by the A321neo, and there is probably nothing midmarket airplane (NMA). This is the that Boeing can do to make them more competitive. right move. It has never been clear how the NMA, a Most of all, the 737 family has clearly reached the twin-aisle design, could match the economics of the end of its evolutionary line. After the MAX program, single-aisle A321neo. there will not be a fifth 737 incarnation. Boeing needs a Yet Calhoun should keep in mind three realities that new clean-sheet, single-aisle model eventually. weigh on Boeing’s new product strategy. First, the Analysts, including me, point to the McDonnell middle market is booming, and Airbus is winning it Douglas experience as an example of what can happen with the A321neo. Second, Airbus can expand and up- when a jetmaker neglects new product investment. But Airbus and Boeing shorter runway. Advantage Airbus TIN AO Why Boeing must refresh its product line Boeing Airbus 4,000 date its single-aisle and midmarket product line. The 3,500 wider horizons. third is that Boeing cannot do that. There is a lot at 3,000 stake for Boeing and not much time. First, airlines clearly want midsize jets. Last year, 2,500 there were just 673 net orders for all Airbus and 2,000 the ATR 42-600S can land and take off Boeing jets; 476 of these were for the A321neo. This 1,500 is more than just upgauging; much is due to increas- on runways just 800m long ing airline route fragmentation, a trend that will keep 1,000 growing for years to come. 500 This midmarket growth also reflects a shift away 0 atr-intolife.com from twin-aisles (Boeing’s strongest position) and to- <150 Seats 150 Seats 200 Seats 250-300 >300 Seats ward single-aisles (where Airbus is strongest). Airbus Seats has sold 3,255 A321neos since the type was launched in A TA 2011, or three times as many as the 1,049 Boeing 757s Source: Teal Group sold over 25 years. By contrast, Boeing has sold around there is a difference. When McDonnell absorbed Doug- 650 737 MAX 9/10s (the company does not break out las in 1967, it inherited a single-aisle jet—the DC-9— variant orders). The A321neo is winning by a 5:1 ratio. that proved reasonably well-suited to updates. And While the 737 MAX 8 has done well against the its MD-80 series was a success, staying in production A320neo, as the A321neo continues to grow in popu- through 1999. This also allowed McDonnell to address larity, it will bolster Airbus’ smaller single-aisles, as the core of the single-aisle market, albeit in a declining airlines seek commonality across their fleets. way, without having to launch any new products. Second, Calhoun should remember that there is But if Boeing is to copy McDonnell and neglect in- quite a lot that Airbus can do with its single-aisle vestment in its jetliner business, it will not have 30 product line. In addition to increasing commonality years to coast. The 737 MAX will have 10-12 years be- between the A220 and A320 families, it could stretch fore it needs replacement. the former C Series, creating a 145-150-seat A220-500, And unlike during the McDonnell sunset years, the likely offering lower seat-mile costs. market is shifting upward. If Boeing does not build a While an A220-500 would take away demand for clean-sheet midmarket airplane, it will lose at least the A320neo, Airbus could compensate by making the 15%, and perhaps 20%, of the market. What was a 50/50 A320neo and A321neo more capable models. The A220’s duopoly will become a 65/35 duopoly, or perhaps even wings use resin transfer infusion (RTI) composites. a 70/30 one. In an industry that is heavily dependent Adapting this technology for the A320/321neo, perhaps on volume to achieve the lower costs that airline cus- with an engine update, would produce 150-240-seat tomers demand, such a market-share decline would be jets with greater range and superb economics. tough to recover from. Most intriguingly, if the A321neo can be stretched, Whether Calhoun remains as CEO or not, Boeing Airbus would have an even greater midmarket catego- needs to digest the clear conclusion from these three re- ry killer. With new RTI wings and new, more powerful alities: Product development inaction is a recipe for Air- engines, an A322neo would be a true global route-frag- bus market dominance, possibly for decades to come. c mentation machine, building on the Boeing 787’s remarkable work in creating new thinner routes. Contributing columnist Richard Aboulafia is vice president of Third, by contrast with this incredible menu of analysis at Teal Group. He is based in Washington.

10 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMENTARY GOING CONCERNS MICHAEL BRUNO

BOEING’S JAN. 29 TELECONFERENCE Other suppliers are making similar noises. Hayes of will be remembered as one of the most hum- UTC, home to Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney, bling earnings reports in the 103-year-old says managers assume an average production rate of 21 company’s history, but for 737 MAX suppli- per month in the second half of the year for Collins. Gen- ers it will also set the tone for the next two or three years. eral Electric executives say their Leap engine production “Slowly” was the buzzword repeated often by Boeing has not stopped, but the rate this year will fall to roughly leadership, especially when it came to the narrowbody’s half what it was in 2019, also indicating a rate of 21. monthly production rate ramp-up—assuming the MAX This is all a world apart from the five-a-month jumps is set to become “ungrounded” and production resumes Boeing and suppliers originally envisioned shortly after after halting this month. MAX production was Boeing CEO David Cal- cut to 42 a month last houn and Chief Finan- ‘One Airplane at a Time’ April. Based on what cial Officer Greg Smith JASON REDMOND/GETTY IMAGES they heard at Aviation said during the call MAX production is years from normal Week’s MRO Americas that production flow 2019 conference, Lee- will return “one step at ham News and Analysis a time,” even “one air- reported at the time plane at a time.” that MAX-makers had Boeing still has not eyed a rate increase to forecast production 47 in June, 52 by August plans beyond stating it and finally 57 by last can restart manufactur- September. Of course, ing months before the rate 57 is where Boe- MAX is returned to ser- ing and suppliers were vice. But already major poised to go to before suppliers, analysts and the MAX crisis erupted. consultants are piecing Now it is a “creep, together a road map that foresees MAX monthly unit crawl, walk, jog, and then run approach,” as industry production rates hitting the mid-20s this year, the 30s consultant Jim McAleese puts it. Among the conse- most of next year and possibly back to 52—where it quences, the first year of “normal” MAX production stood before the MAX crisis—by the end of 2022. will be 2023, also when Boeing might get up to rate 57. “Probably the most distressing aspect of the line In turn, Boeing and its suppliers have to adjust shutdown was the relative lack of guidance provided their earnings expectations to account for both the to suppliers,” Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia lack of previously planned deliveries as well as new said Jan. 23. “Rate 52—if we get that in late 2022, I’d costs, since they were positioned for rate 57 by last be super happy.” summer. For its part, Boeing added $9.2 billion to its Considering that Boeing has indicated a new pub- summary of MAX-related financial charges as part lic marker of a midyear MAX return to service that of its latest earnings report, bringing the total to seemingly is backed by the FAA, the supply chain is $18.6 billion so far. expecting Boeing’s own production to restart in March Cost estimates from the supply chain are trickling or April. “We’ve assumed roughly a 90-day production in, and they range from mild to eye-popping. Hayes delay, which is consistent with direction that we’ve re- says the production pause is projected to cost UTC ceived from Boeing,” says United Technologies Corp. just $100 million per month in sales. “We do not antic- (UTC) Chairman and CEO Greg Hayes. ipate any layoffs,” he adds. “I think that would be the More anecdotal evidence came Jan. 30 from aero- easiest thing to do, but quite frankly, given the scarcity structures leader Spirit AeroSystems, when manag- of talented aerospace workers out there, we’re not go- ers there announced a new agreement with Boeing ing to be laying anybody off for a 90-day delay here. I over MAX production. “Under the agreement, Spirit think we’re going to work on the backlog.” will restart production slowly, ramping up deliver- But Spirit has already announced layoffs of at least ies throughout the year to reach a total of 216 MAX 2,800 workers in Wichita. Increasingly, smaller suppli- shipsets delivered to Boeing in 2020,” the Wichita sup- ers are warning Wall Street of bad news, too. British plier said. “Spirit does not expect to achieve a produc- aerostructures provider Senior said Jan. 31 its aero- tion rate of 52 shipsets per month until late 2022.” space revenue this year could drop 20% compared with In turn, that would imply an average production last year, due to the MAX production halt. Senior’s rate of 24 per month in 2020, according to financial an- operating margins will slip as well, and according to alysts Sheila Kahyaoglu and Greg Konrad at Jefferies, media reports the company is saying the recently an- who note that Spirit already counts about 95 737 units nounced sale of its aerostructures business might have parked in or near its factory. to be shelved until more MAX certainty emerges. c

12 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMENTARY GOING CONCERNS MICHAEL BRUNO

12 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMENTARY

INSIDE BUSINESS AVIATION WILLIAM GARVEY

missiles of World War II were fi- TONY GRANATA/ICAS the Bob and Dolores Hope Foun- nally silenced on the blood-soaked dation, which helped finance the continent where that most terrible conflict began. The effort. “Nobody is making a dime” from the flyover, flyover is intended as a very visible, audible and phys- Bunce says; contributions, which are most welcome, ical salute to the servicemen and women whose cour- will be used to cover the cost of aircraft fuel and oil. age, smarts and determination defeated the enemy, While guesstimates of spectators range from and to honor those on the home front whose work and 100,000 to 200,000, organizers note that the flyover is sacrifice provided the tools for them to prevail. likely to be the last gathering of significant numbers Long in planning, the flyover is expected to involve of war veterans as time diminishes that corps steadily nearly every type of training plane, fighter, bomber and and rapidly. The flyover “is the last chance to bring the transport used by the Allies in the war, some 100+ air- nation together with a large contingent of the last re- craft in all, many of them rarely seen. They will include maining veterans of that conflict to pay tribute to their Spitfires, Hurricanes, an Avro Lancaster, Airacobra, service and sacrifice,” says Bruce. Douglas A-20 Havoc and A-26 Invader, de Havilland Other participating organizations include the Na- Mosquitos, Westland Lysander, five Boeing B-17 Flying tional Air Traffic Controllers Association and the Fortresses, a pair of Boeing B-29 SuperForts, plus a Commemorative Air Force. c brace of F4U Corsairs and a squadron of P-51s. If all goes according to plan, the D-Day invasion will be com- William Garvey is Editor-in-Chief of Business & Commercial Aviation

14 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMENTARY

INSIDE BUSINESS AVIATION WILLIAM GARVEY

DON’T LET THE SNOW AND ICE memorated by a flight of five C-47s, four of which actu- and freezing temperatures fool you; it’s ally participated in the invasion of France in June 1944. that time of the year. Again. The perform- Pete Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manu- ers and maintainers are making their way facturers Association (GAMA), a retired U.S. Air Force to their hangars with fresh oil and clean rags, touch-up fighter pilot and a leader in the flyover program, said, paint and polish, ready for run-ups and radio checks. “We can’t parade tanks down Constitution Avenue nor The curtain is about to rise on Air Show Season 2020. float ships in the Tidal Basin, but through incredible According to the International Council of Air Shows coordination with a myriad of federal agencies, we are (ICAS), the U.S. gatherings begin with the Washington’s being allowed to parade World War II aircraft through THE 777X TAKES Birthday Celebration Association’s Stars & Stripes Air the most restrictive airspace in our nation to honor Show in Laredo, Texas, on Feb. 16, featuring a full ar- the greatest generation that secured for the world the ray of warplanes past and present, freedoms we cherish today.” along with aerobats, sky divers and The program will launch aircraft TO THE SKIES sunburns. The ICAS calendar lists Aerial Salute from general aviation airports in over 170 shows through Novem- Manassas and Culpeper, Virginia, ber, some multiday events, mostly Sounds, sights and proceeding in echelons at different in the U.S. and Canada with a few moving shadows altitudes south along the Potomac international venues. As you might as thanks to exiting heroes River, turning left at the Lincoln expect, California claims the most Memorial, flying past the World War with 23; Texas and Florida follow II Memorial and east along the Mall, with 14 and 13, respectively. The and then exiting to the right past balance range from Maine to Ari- the Smithsonian National Air and zona—even Rhode Island is a host: Space Museum and the new Dwight The National Guard Open House D. Eisenhower Memorial, which is and Air Show is set for June 20-21 being dedicated that day. All the air- in North Kingstown. craft are to fly at an altitude slightly However, notably absent from above 1,000 ft. and progress at 169 the list is an air event in which kt. From start to finish, the flyby is ICAS is intimately involved. And expected to take 100 min. while it might not meet the criteria Operations at nearby Reagan Na- typically attached to an air show, it’s tional Airport will be halted for 2 hr. going to turn a lot of faces skyward to accommodate the aerial parade. and will likely be the last of its kind. According to ICAS President The Arsenal of Democracy Fly- John Cudahy, many aircraft will over is to take place in Washington carry dignitaries, foremost among on Friday, May 8, the 75th anniver- them veterans of the war. One hon- sary of Victory in Europe—VE Day. orary leader is former Sen. Bob That’s the date Nazi Germany sur- Dole (R-Kan.), a wounded veteran rendered unconditionally, and the of that conflict, and his wife Eliza- artillery, machine guns, bombs and beth, and Linda Hope, representing missiles of World War II were fi- TONY GRANATA/ICAS the Bob and Dolores Hope Foun- nally silenced on the blood-soaked dation, which helped finance the continent where that most terrible conflict began. The effort. “Nobody is making a dime” from the flyover, flyover is intended as a very visible, audible and phys- Bunce says; contributions, which are most welcome, ical salute to the servicemen and women whose cour- will be used to cover the cost of aircraft fuel and oil. age, smarts and determination defeated the enemy, While guesstimates of spectators range from and to honor those on the home front whose work and 100,000 to 200,000, organizers note that the flyover is sacrifice provided the tools for them to prevail. likely to be the last gathering of significant numbers The world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet took its first flight, a major milestone for Boeing’s 777X built Long in planning, the flyover is expected to involve of war veterans as time diminishes that corps steadily on years of development, testing and rigor. With technological advances that allow it to fly farther with less fuel nearly every type of training plane, fighter, bomber and and rapidly. The flyover “is the last chance to bring the transport used by the Allies in the war, some 100+ air- nation together with a large contingent of the last re- and emissions, the 777X will fly passengers more comfortably and efficiently than ever before. Keeping safety maining veterans of that conflict to pay tribute to their craft in all, many of them rarely seen. They will include at the core of everything we do, we’re building the future of flight together. Spitfires, Hurricanes, an Avro Lancaster, Airacobra, service and sacrifice,” says Bruce. Douglas A-20 Havoc and A-26 Invader, de Havilland Other participating organizations include the Na- Mosquitos, Westland Lysander, five Boeing B-17 Flying tional Air Traffic Controllers Association and the Fortresses, a pair of Boeing B-29 SuperForts, plus a Commemorative Air Force. c brace of F4U Corsairs and a squadron of P-51s. If all boeing.com/777X goes according to plan, the D-Day invasion will be com- William Garvey is Editor-in-Chief of Business & Commercial Aviation #777X

14 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMENTARY AIRLINE INTEL JENS FLOTTAU

sidered viable. PGL is ANNA GROCHAL was a shareholder, a government-con- violating ownership trolled company set up in 2018 that initially included and control regulations. Instead of pushing hard for LOT and several Polish maintenance, repair and over- long-overdue ownership and control reforms, though haul and ground-handling specialists. Condor is flying the EC allowed their erosion where it suited national today only because the German government provided a governments (Germany and Italy in that case). There €380 million bridge loan last fall that gave the airline the is no coherent policy, leading member states to act on time to find a buyer. their own. It works the other way, too, with individual Get the picture? European governments continue countries imposing aviation taxes on top of EU-level to be highly involved in the airline sector. Tarom gets measures such as emissions trading. help from the Romanian government, Croatia Airlines It is unclear how the LOT-Condor combination makes has public-service obligation funding on routes where it sense. There are no obvious network synergies, though arguably does not need it, the UK just insured that Fly- the airlines will surely be able to find some in back-of- be can continue flying rather than collapse—and then fice functions and procurement. The idea that Condor ,of course, there is the never-ending story of Alitalia. will be able to establish itself as a leisure carrier in Po- How many times has the deadline for its sale been ex- land and Hungary, competing against Ryanair and Wizz tended? How many times has the government loan been Air, is creative, to put it politely. And what the EC does prolonged? How many times has the EC said now was not resolve despite official complaints by, among oth- really, really the last time it would allow financial aid? ers, Wizz Air, perhaps Lufthansa will handle—that air- Some cases are not so clear-cut: One is Condor’s. The line is seriously considering canceling a long-standing airline was in relatively good shape and profitable. Ger- partnership agreement that includes Frankfurt feeder man tour operators and consumers had a high interest flights for Condor’s long-haul network and partnering in its survival because it ensured competition, and it in the Miles & More frequent-flier program. It would only got in trouble when its parent collapsed. Its rescue hardly be possible to sustain a long-haul operation of may ultimately have made sense from an overall market Condor’s size without that feed. point of view. But as nationalism gains more traction Europe’s single aviation market has been a great suc- inside the EU, so does the questionable involvement of cess, enabling the industry to grow in ways previously governments in airlines, and the EC seems to be ignoring unthinkable. Too often, though, countries and airlines blatant violations of its own state aid rules. It is a sign of look for regulatory loopholes, and too often they get how member states are focusing on their own national away with it. c

16 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMENTARY AIRLINE INTEL JENS FLOTTAU

LATE IN JANUARY, AN INTERESTING agendas, which the EC appears too weak to counteract. combination of airlines was announced. Poland has a clear government agenda for aviation: Polish Aviation Group (PGL), the parent LOT is to be turned into a major player in Europe’s air of LOT Polish Airlines, confirmed that it plans to buy transport sector, flying from a newly built Warsaw air- German airline Condor, doubling the company’s size and port in a few years, which will enable it to build anoth- adding a leisure market portfolio to the growing business. er hub-and-spoke operation. Yes, Poland’s economy is If all goes well, the deal should close by the end of April. growing faster than those of other European countries, The combination is interesting because it sheds light so there is some justification for a growing airline there on aeropolitical trends if it is commercially in Europe. LOT is an viable. But it shouldn’t airline that was on the Looking for Loopholes grow just because of brink of collapse in state policy and state 2014, rescued only by a National interests are a growing threat support. €200 million ($220 mil- Yet Wizz Air CEO lion) capital increase in Europe’s single aviation market Joszef Varadi says, subscribed by its sole “Warsaw is a miserable shareholder, the Polish place for every airline government. because the govern- The European Com- ment does everything mission (EC) approved to support LOT.” the state aid because Subsidies are not LOT made its own the only issue. There painful contributions to is overwhelming evi- the restructuring (as it dence Air Berlin and obviously should have) Alitalia were effec- and because it pre- tively controlled by sented a turnaround Etihad when the Abu plan the authority con- Dhabi-based carrier sidered viable. PGL is ANNA GROCHAL was a shareholder, a government-con- violating ownership trolled company set up in 2018 that initially included and control regulations. Instead of pushing hard for LOT and several Polish maintenance, repair and over- long-overdue ownership and control reforms, though haul and ground-handling specialists. Condor is flying the EC allowed their erosion where it suited national today only because the German government provided a governments (Germany and Italy in that case). There €380 million bridge loan last fall that gave the airline the is no coherent policy, leading member states to act on time to find a buyer. their own. It works the other way, too, with individual Get the picture? European governments continue countries imposing aviation taxes on top of EU-level to be highly involved in the airline sector. Tarom gets measures such as emissions trading. help from the Romanian government, Croatia Airlines It is unclear how the LOT-Condor combination makes has public-service obligation funding on routes where it sense. There are no obvious network synergies, though arguably does not need it, the UK just insured that Fly- the airlines will surely be able to find some in back-of- be can continue flying rather than collapse—and then fice functions and procurement. The idea that Condor ,of course, there is the never-ending story of Alitalia. will be able to establish itself as a leisure carrier in Po- How many times has the deadline for its sale been ex- land and Hungary, competing against Ryanair and Wizz tended? How many times has the government loan been Air, is creative, to put it politely. And what the EC does prolonged? How many times has the EC said now was not resolve despite official complaints by, among oth- really, really the last time it would allow financial aid? ers, Wizz Air, perhaps Lufthansa will handle—that air- Some cases are not so clear-cut: One is Condor’s. The line is seriously considering canceling a long-standing airline was in relatively good shape and profitable. Ger- partnership agreement that includes Frankfurt feeder man tour operators and consumers had a high interest flights for Condor’s long-haul network and partnering in its survival because it ensured competition, and it in the Miles & More frequent-flier program. It would only got in trouble when its parent collapsed. Its rescue hardly be possible to sustain a long-haul operation of may ultimately have made sense from an overall market Condor’s size without that feed. point of view. But as nationalism gains more traction Europe’s single aviation market has been a great suc- inside the EU, so does the questionable involvement of cess, enabling the industry to grow in ways previously governments in airlines, and the EC seems to be ignoring unthinkable. Too often, though, countries and airlines blatant violations of its own state aid rules. It is a sign of look for regulatory loopholes, and too often they get how member states are focusing on their own national away with it. c

16 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE > New U.S. C2 vision p. 20 USS Ford aircraft ops p. 24 Belgian air power transformation p. 46 HYPER HAWCs > PENTAGON OFFICIALS SEEK HYPERSONIC AIR-BREATHING WEAPON FOLLOW-ON > AWARENESS OF BOOST-GLIDE CHALLENGES SINKS IN

Steve Trimble Washington and Guy Norris Orlando, Florida the Common Hypersonic Glide Body ielding an operational scramjet-powered cruise missile (C-HGB)—the front-end designed for the Air Force Hypersonic Con- has emerged as a new priority for the U.S. Defense De- ventional Strike Weapon, the Army’s partment’s proliferating portfolio of maneuvering hyper- Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon sonic weapons. (LRHW) and the Navy’s Intermedi- F ate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike Senior defense officials are putting and engineering, described hyperson- (IRCPS)—has logged several success- together a program to develop an op- ic cruise missiles as “further out” than ful flight tests since the late 1970s. The erational follow-on to DARPA’s Hyper- boost-glide weapons. But the technol- winged TBG’s greater maneuverabili- sonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept ogy advanced so quickly that another ty, albeit with shorter range, makes it (HAWC), which currently supports official, Air Force acquisition chief Will far more challenging to design. competing scramjet-powered missile Roper, concluded seven months later “It’s DARPA-hard, and TBG is hard,” demonstrators designed by Lockheed the HAWC program would be “a near- Lewis says. Martin/Aerojet Rocketdyne and Ray- er-term not a far-term capability.” Ongoing studies by the Air Force’s theon/Northrop Grumman Innovation “We’d like to see HAWC transition to Warfighting Integration Capability are Systems teams. a fully operational system,” says Mark also starting to highlight the operation- “We are in the process of trying to fig- Lewis, the Defense Department’s di- al benefits of cruise missiles compared ure out what [an operational program] rector of research and engineering for to medium-range boost-glide systems. would look like,” says Mike White, as- modernization. “It’s probably the issue A cruise missile still requires a boost- sistant director for hypersonics in the that our hypersonic team is spending er rocket to accelerate to hypersonic office of the under secretary of defense most time on right now.” speed, but it does not need to carry for research and engineering. Awareness is also growing for the as much oxidizer and fuel as a boost- As the U.S. military rushed after technical challenges still facing medi- glide rocket because it remains within 2017 to respond to Russian and Chi- um-range boost-glide missiles in the the atmosphere. Air-breathing cruise nese hypersonic advances, air-breath- class of DARPA’s Tactical Boost Glide missiles’ smaller size means a single ing hypersonic cruise missiles fell to (TBG) missile demonstrators. The aircraft, such as a Boeing B-52, can the bottom of the priority list. Fund- Air Force’s 2017 decision to launch carry them in much greater numbers. ing for operational programs favored the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid “For a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle boost-glide technology over the seem- Response Weapon (ARRW), an oper- you can get two, maybe four, on a B-52,” ingly less mature field of weapons ational follow-on to the TBG, helped White says. “But you can get 15 or may- powered by scramjets (supersonic legitimize the Defense Department’s be 20 hypersonic cruise missiles [on a combustion ramjets). revived interest in hypersonic weap- B-52] because the size is much smaller. But that assumption is being chal- ons, White says. So you can carry them internally in the lenged. Along with the flight-test ex- “I think people underestimate the rotary rack. There are significant ad- perience accumulated a decade ago by importance of this decision of the Air vantages for the air breathers, but they the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Force [to launch ARRW] in the hy- offer different technical challenges.” (AFRL) X-51 scramjet vehicle, recent personic community,” he says. “We’ve The smaller size and increased ground tests and simulations indicate always been kind of stuck in the [re- packaging advantages of air breath- scramjet technology is more advanced search and development] realm. The ers would give the Air Force signifi- than previously understood. In Sep- Air Force in 2017, they were the first cant tactical advantage, Lewis adds. tember, the AFRL announced it had service that said: ‘Hey, we want hyper- “The No. 1 question we should be ask- achieved thrust levels over 13,000 lb. sonic weapons.’” ing is: ‘How do we deliver lots of these with a Northrop-designed engine at But the TBG-derived ARRW rep- things?’ In my mind, one way to do speeds “above Mach 4” in a hyper- resents a particularly difficult techni- that is to fit a lot of them in a weapons sonic wind tunnel. In June, Raytheon cal challenge. The design uses a higher bay. Getting 15-20 per bomb bay is a reported the maturity of its scram- lift-over-drag ratio wing shape, which lot, but if I’m [launching them from] jet-powered HAWC demonstrator had has never been successfully tested a single mobile launcher, I’m not sure exceeded that of its boost-glide design. by the U.S. government. By contrast, I can deliver the numbers I need. We In December 2018, Michael Griffin, the axisymmetric shape of the lower are not interested in capability when under secretary of defense for research lift-over-drag glider developed for we build two and declare it a suc-

18 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE > New U.S. C2 vision p. 20 USS Ford aircraft ops p. 24 Belgian air power transformation p. 46

cess—that doesn’t do anything.” ation, new air- and surface-launched define the strategy for the investment The Pentagon’s hypersonic weapons options for medium-range targets in these systems.” Visclosky’s commit- portfolio emerged in a blur of bureau- could become available. tee proposed cutting some funding for cratic activity between 2017 and 2018. In addition to the offensive pro - the Army’s hypersonic program, but HYPER HAWCs The first step was the Air Force’s de- grams, the Defense Department’s road a joint conference committee of Con- cision to launch the medium-range map also includes development of a gressional appropriators ultimately > PENTAGON OFFICIALS SEEK HYPERSONIC AIR-BREATHING WEAPON FOLLOW-ON ARRW program in 2017 as the fol- counter-hypersonic system—starting restored the funding and added more low-on to TBG. Shortly afterward, with the Missile Defense Agency’s Re- for other hypersonic programs. > AWARENESS OF BOOST-GLIDE CHALLENGES SINKS IN the Air Force also decided to launch gional Glide-Phase Weapon System as Lewis believes the development of the longer-range HCSW. In November well as multiple programs for booster a multitude of hypersonic missile pro- 2017, the Navy conducted a successful development and continued funding grams is justified. Steve Trimble Washington and Guy Norris Orlando, Florida test of the proposed C-HGB, which of basic science and technology. Ad- “Too many people think hyperson- the Common Hypersonic Glide Body prompted the Navy and the Army to ditional DARPA programs include the ics is just one thing,” Lewis says. “They ielding an operational scramjet-powered cruise missile (C-HGB)—the front-end designed support funding toward the opera- ground-launched Operational Fires, think, for example, [it’s just for the long- for the Air Force Hypersonic Con- tional prototypes of the IRCPS and which seeks to integrate a TBG front- range, conventional prompt strike mis- has emerged as a new priority for the U.S. Defense De- ventional Strike Weapon, the Army’s LRHW—for submarine and ground end on a two-stage booster stack that sion]. But no, it’s a range of capabilities. partment’s proliferating portfolio of maneuvering hyper- Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon launch, respectively. includes a throttled upper stage, and “Even at the tactical level it’s, for sonic weapons. (LRHW) and the Navy’s Intermedi- As it stands now, the portfolio in- the Advanced Full-Range Engine, a lack of a better phrase, a high-low F ate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike cludes air-launched medium-range dual-mode ramjet that could power a mix,” Lewis adds. “We should prob- Senior defense officials are putting and engineering, described hyperson- (IRCPS)—has logged several success- and long-range boost-glide systems, future hypersonic aircraft. ably have a mix of air breathers and together a program to develop an op- ic cruise missiles as “further out” than ful flight tests since the late 1970s. The an intermediate-range subma- Such a diverse yet overlapping road boost-glide systems. They probably erational follow-on to DARPA’s Hyper- boost-glide weapons. But the technol- winged TBG’s greater maneuverabili- rine-launched missile and a long-range map has prompted criticism. In July, have different capabilities, different sonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept ogy advanced so quickly that another ty, albeit with shorter range, makes it weapon launched from a tractor trail- the chairman of the House appropri- ranges and so on. We have F-16s and (HAWC), which currently supports official, Air Force acquisition chief Will far more challenging to design. er. If an operational follow-on of the ations subcommittee on defense, Rep. F-15s, and they have different roles, competing scramjet-powered missile Roper, concluded seven months later “It’s DARPA-hard, and TBG is hard,” HAWC is approved, with Air Force Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.), warned de- and that should be the same with tac- demonstrators designed by Lockheed the HAWC program would be “a near- Lewis says. and Navy concepts under consider- fense officials that they “need to better tical hypersonic systems as well.” c Martin/Aerojet Rocketdyne and Ray- er-term not a far-term capability.” Ongoing studies by the Air Force’s theon/Northrop Grumman Innovation “We’d like to see HAWC transition to Warfighting Integration Capability are Pentagon Hypersonic Weapon Portfolio Systems teams. a fully operational system,” says Mark also starting to highlight the operation- Launch Booster “We are in the process of trying to fig- Lewis, the Defense Department’s di- al benefits of cruise missiles compared Weapon Subtype Operator Type Contractor ure out what [an operational program] rector of research and engineering for to medium-range boost-glide systems. Mode Configuration would look like,” says Mike White, as- modernization. “It’s probably the issue A cruise missile still requires a boost- OPERATIONAL sistant director for hypersonics in the that our hypersonic team is spending er rocket to accelerate to hypersonic Air-Launched office of the under secretary of defense most time on right now.” speed, but it does not need to carry Medium-range Lockheed Rapid Response None Air Force Air Single-stage for research and engineering. Awareness is also growing for the as much oxidizer and fuel as a boost- boost-glide Martin Weapon As the U.S. military rushed after technical challenges still facing medi- glide rocket because it remains within 2017 to respond to Russian and Chi- um-range boost-glide missiles in the the atmosphere. Air-breathing cruise Hypersonic Long-range Single-stage, Lockheed Conventional Air Force Air nese hypersonic advances, air-breath- class of DARPA’s Tactical Boost Glide missiles’ smaller size means a single boost-glide 32-in. diameter Martin ing hypersonic cruise missiles fell to (TBG) missile demonstrators. The aircraft, such as a Boeing B-52, can Strike Weapon the bottom of the priority list. Fund- Air Force’s 2017 decision to launch carry them in much greater numbers. Common Intermediate-Range Intermediate-range Surface and Two-stage, Lockheed ing for operational programs favored the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid “For a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle Conventional Navy Hypersonic boost-glide subsurface 34-in. diameter Martin boost-glide technology over the seem- Response Weapon (ARRW), an oper- you can get two, maybe four, on a B-52,” Glide Body Prompt Strike ingly less mature field of weapons ational follow-on to the TBG, helped White says. “But you can get 15 or may- powered by scramjets (supersonic legitimize the Defense Department’s be 20 hypersonic cruise missiles [on a Long-Range Long-range Two-stage, Lockheed Army Ground combustion ramjets). revived interest in hypersonic weap- B-52] because the size is much smaller. Hypersonic Weapon boost-glide 34-in. diameter Martin But that assumption is being chal- ons, White says. So you can carry them internally in the lenged. Along with the flight-test ex- “I think people underestimate the rotary rack. There are significant ad- DEMONSTRATOR perience accumulated a decade ago by importance of this decision of the Air vantages for the air breathers, but they Hypersonic Lockheed the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Force [to launch ARRW] in the hy- offer different technical challenges.” Medium-range Air-Breathing None DARPA Air Single-stage Martin, personic community,” he says. “We’ve The smaller size and increased cruise missile (AFRL) X-51 scramjet vehicle, recent Weapon Concept Raytheon ground tests and simulations indicate always been kind of stuck in the [re- packaging advantages of air breath- scramjet technology is more advanced search and development] realm. The ers would give the Air Force signifi- Lockheed Tactical Medium-range None DARPA Air Single-stage Martin, than previously understood. In Sep- Air Force in 2017, they were the first cant tactical advantage, Lewis adds. Boost-Glide boost-glide tember, the AFRL announced it had service that said: ‘Hey, we want hyper- “The No. 1 question we should be ask- Raytheon achieved thrust levels over 13,000 lb. sonic weapons.’” ing is: ‘How do we deliver lots of these Medium- and Two-stage, Operational Lockheed with a Northrop-designed engine at But the TBG-derived ARRW rep- things?’ In my mind, one way to do None DARPA long-range Ground throttled upper Martin speeds “above Mach 4” in a hyper- resents a particularly difficult techni- that is to fit a lot of them in a weapons Fires boost-glide stage sonic wind tunnel. In June, Raytheon cal challenge. The design uses a higher bay. Getting 15-20 per bomb bay is a reported the maturity of its scram- lift-over-drag ratio wing shape, which lot, but if I’m [launching them from] DEFENSIVE jet-powered HAWC demonstrator had has never been successfully tested a single mobile launcher, I’m not sure Regional Missile Medium-to- None Defense Unknown Unknown In competition exceeded that of its boost-glide design. by the U.S. government. By contrast, I can deliver the numbers I need. We Glide-Phase intermediate range In December 2018, Michael Griffin, the axisymmetric shape of the lower are not interested in capability when Weapon System Agency under secretary of defense for research lift-over-drag glider developed for we build two and declare it a suc- Photos (top to bottom): U.S. Air Force, Steve Trimble/AW&ST, U.S. Army, Raytheon, Raytheon, DARPA Source: U.S. Defense Department

18 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 19 DEFENSE

U.S. Air Force Defines Radical Vision Breaking Down THE ADVANCED BATTLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM for Command and Control Sensor Integration OpenRadarONE: Radar system > SERVICE ADOPTS LEAD SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR-LIKE MODEL and testbed* ABMS ARCHITECTURE BUILT ON GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP OpenMTIONE: Moving-target-indicator mode > for RadarONE Steve Trimble OpenIntONE: Open architecture for multidomain sensors he U.S. Air Force has released Warning and Control System. Data the full, sweeping vision for the Those aims remain intact, but the FeedONE: Cloud-based data TAdvanced Battle Management revealed architecture clarifies that the feeds from all sources System (ABMS), a two-year-old con- goals of the ABMS are far broader. If WrapONE: Automated cept that proposes to disrupt modern the system is fully realized, the Air metadata wrapper norms for its command-and-control Force will create a “combat cloud” on DataONE: Cloud-based data library doctrine, military acquisition policy a mobile ad hoc network, transposing Secure Processing and industrial participation. the Internet of Things model from The newly released ABMS architec- civilian technology to the battlefield. CloudONE: Security cloud that supports ture defines not a traditional program As a result, the nearly four-decade- multilevel classification of record but 28 new “product lines” di- old concept of a centralized com- CrossDomainONE: Moves data across vided into six major components. The mand-and-control center would be classification levels implementation strategy is not focused swept away by a future, decentralized PlatformONE: Cloud-based software around traditional acquisition mile- digital network. Using computer pro- development environment stones measured in years, but rather cessors and software algorithms in- EdgeONE: Local cloud if disconnected from development “sprints” fielding morsels stead of humans, machines would iden- CloudONE of new capabilities every four months. tify targets from sensor data, select the The rights for much of the technology, weapons and platforms to prosecute BoxONE: Workstation to access CloudONE or EdgeONE including a new radar, communication the target automatically, and finally gateway and software-defined radio, notify the human operator when—or, PhoneONE: Smartphone that accesses are claimed not by an industrial sup- crucially, whether—to pull the trigger. CloudONE or EdgeONE plier, but by the Air Force itself. Roper compares the ABMS’ effect AssistONE: Rapid deployment team to support The strategy’s release on Jan. 21 on command and control to commer- devices comes three weeks before the Air Force cial services on a smartphone, such as Connectivity plans to release a budget plan that the Waze app for drivers navigating would shift $9 billion over the next five traffic. Waze is not driven by a human GatewayONE: Waveform translator* years to a “Connect the Joint Force” staff monitoring and reporting traffic RadioONE: Software-defined radio* initiative. The funding would come hazards, who then review each request MeshONE: Software-defined mesh network* from retiring certain capabilities, infor directions and customize a recom- cluding aircraft fleets, within the next mended route. Instead, Waze harvests ApertureONE: Common aperture for communications and radar five years, with a clear implication: traffic and hazard data from its users, The Air Force is willing, if Congress while algorithms mine that information CommercialONE: Secures approves, to trade some capability now to respond to user requests for service. classified messages on gateways to obtain the ABMS over time. The Air Force’s command-and-con- NationalONE: Connects intelligence “I think of it as we’re finally build- trol system is built around the human community to remote users ing the ‘Internet of Things’ inside the staff model but is moving to the Waze Link16e: Enhanced Link 16 military, something very overdue,” said approach. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the “If it didn’t exist in the world around Apps Air Force for acquisition, during the us, you’d probably say it was impossi- AI/SmartONE: Cloud-based algorithm developer architecture’s Pentagon unveiling. ble,” Roper says. “But it does [exist].” FuseONE: Cloud-based fusion enviornment The scale of the project’s ambition The Air Force’s challenge is to defend has evolved since the ABMS was first and execute that vision for the ABMS. OmniaONE: Cloud-based common operating picture, enabled by FuseONE proposed in 2018. Air Force leaders The Air Force needs to secure the sup- unveiled the concept two years ago as port of the other armed services, whose CommandONE: Cloud-based battle a replacement for the airborne Bat- participation is vital to extracting the management, command and control tle Management and Command and benefits of such a system. Moreover, the Effects Integration Control (BMC2) suite on the Northrop Air Force needs to sell the concept to Grumman E-8C Joint Stars fleet. By Congress, despite the system lacking MissionDataONE: Cloud-based update for mission data files September 2018, Roper first suggested obvious jobs in specific legislative dis- the same technology could be applied tricts, such as future factory sites and SmartMunONE: Smart weapons retasking to replace the aging fleet of Boeing operational bases. Roper acknowledges third-party sensors RC-135 Rivet Joints and, sometime in the problem of building support for an AttritableONE: Multirole attritable systems the 2030s, the Boeing E-3C Airborne architecture, rather than a platform, *Government-owned system Source: U.S. Air Force

20 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE

such as a new fighter, bomber or ship. ditional development process, although using software-defined radios, with new “Those are easy things to sell in this he has made exceptions for complex, apps fusing the data into a common op- town. You can count them,” he says. hardware-driven programs such as the erational picture and integrated effects “But the internet is not something Northrop Grumman B-21 bomber and allowing cruise missiles, for example, to easy to count or quantify, even though the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent. automatically retask sensors on other we’re all very aware of its power.” For most other programs, he wants to platforms during flight. Among the 28 The Air Force has briefed congres- trickle out new features at Silicon Valley product lines, the Air Force proposes sional defense committee staffs on speed. A common refrain by acquisition to own the radar, software-defined radio the ABMS concept, but some remain reformers for decades has been to em- and communications-gateway rights. skeptical. A Capitol Hill staffer familiar phasize delivering an incomplete, “80% The Air Force’s role resembles the with the program doubts other services solution” sooner rather than wait for a lead systems integrator (LSI) model support the Air Force. The model also is system that meets each of sometimes used for a series of largely failed ac- unlikely to be embraced by industry, the hundreds of detailed requirements. quisition programs 15-20 years ago, staffer says. A key point of Roper’s plan However, for Roper the timeline including the Army’s Future Combat requires companies to cede some intel- for delivering even an 80% solution System and Coast Guard’s Deepwater. lectual property rights to the Air Force. in certain cases is far too long. “[We But in this case the LSI is the Air Force, But the Air Force is not waiting. should] covet the 10-15% solutions that not an industrial supplier. Such an ap- Development started last year, even take the next step forward,” he said. proach is not unprecedented. The Navy before an analysis of alternatives had “Because the learning in that step is is using a similar model to manage the been completed. In December, the ser- so valuable to keep the velocity.” MQ-25A program, with Boeing select- vice staged the first demonstration of To execute the ABMS vision, he ap- ed as a subcontractor to deliver the air four new capabilities: transmitting data pointed Preston Dunlap last year as vehicle and Naval Air Systems Com- on a low-probability-of-intercept link via the lead architect. Unlike a traditional mand providing the ground station and a gateway between stealthy Air Force program executive officer (PEO), the integrating both on an aircraft carrier. and nonstealthy Navy fighters; con- architect is a role introduced to the Air The gateway used in the first ABMS necting a C-130 to the SpaceX Starlink Force by Roper, who previously served demonstration in December offers an satellite constellation; demonstrating as the chief architect for the Missile example, Roper says. “We took a radio a cloud-based command-and-control Defense Agency. The six components system actually built in concert with network up to a “secret” classification and 28 production lines for the ABMS Northrop Grumman and Lockheed level; and setting up an unclassified are spread across multiple program Martin to be able to deal with both common operational picture display at offices rather than consolidated under platforms with the waveforms, and a remote command center inside a tent. a single PEO. Thus, the role of the ar- then a Honeywell antenna was able to As the second in the planned series of chitect is to define the vision and then speak across the frequencies associ- triannual events, the Air Force plans to shape acquisition schedules as the ated with both radio systems,” Roper stage the next demonstration in April, various technologies reach maturity. said. “So we got those three primary involving U.S. Space Force, Strategic Under Dunlap’s architecture, the vendors working together underneath Command and Northern Command. ABMS is built around six components: our government leadership.” c Roper, an Oxford-trained physicist, new sensors feeding databases in a has little patience for the military’s tra- cloud-based computing environment —With Lee Hudson

22 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE such as a new fighter, bomber or ship. ditional development process, although using software-defined radios, with new “Those are easy things to sell in this he has made exceptions for complex, apps fusing the data into a common op- town. You can count them,” he says. hardware-driven programs such as the erational picture and integrated effects “But the internet is not something Northrop Grumman B-21 bomber and allowing cruise missiles, for example, to easy to count or quantify, even though the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent. automatically retask sensors on other we’re all very aware of its power.” For most other programs, he wants to platforms during flight. Among the 28 The Air Force has briefed congres- trickle out new features at Silicon Valley product lines, the Air Force proposes sional defense committee staffs on speed. A common refrain by acquisition to own the radar, software-defined radio the ABMS concept, but some remain reformers for decades has been to em- and communications-gateway rights. skeptical. A Capitol Hill staffer familiar phasize delivering an incomplete, “80% The Air Force’s role resembles the with the program doubts other services solution” sooner rather than wait for a lead systems integrator (LSI) model support the Air Force. The model also is system that meets each of sometimes used for a series of largely failed ac- unlikely to be embraced by industry, the hundreds of detailed requirements. quisition programs 15-20 years ago, staffer says. A key point of Roper’s plan However, for Roper the timeline including the Army’s Future Combat requires companies to cede some intel- for delivering even an 80% solution System and Coast Guard’s Deepwater. lectual property rights to the Air Force. in certain cases is far too long. “[We But in this case the LSI is the Air Force, But the Air Force is not waiting. should] covet the 10-15% solutions that not an industrial supplier. Such an ap- Development started last year, even take the next step forward,” he said. proach is not unprecedented. The Navy before an analysis of alternatives had “Because the learning in that step is is using a similar model to manage the been completed. In December, the ser- so valuable to keep the velocity.” MQ-25A program, with Boeing select- vice staged the first demonstration of To execute the ABMS vision, he ap- ed as a subcontractor to deliver the air four new capabilities: transmitting data pointed Preston Dunlap last year as vehicle and Naval Air Systems Com- on a low-probability-of-intercept link via the lead architect. Unlike a traditional mand providing the ground station and a gateway between stealthy Air Force program executive officer (PEO), the integrating both on an aircraft carrier. and nonstealthy Navy fighters; con- architect is a role introduced to the Air The gateway used in the first ABMS necting a C-130 to the SpaceX Starlink Force by Roper, who previously served demonstration in December offers an satellite constellation; demonstrating as the chief architect for the Missile example, Roper says. “We took a radio a cloud-based command-and-control Defense Agency. The six components system actually built in concert with network up to a “secret” classification and 28 production lines for the ABMS Northrop Grumman and Lockheed level; and setting up an unclassified are spread across multiple program Martin to be able to deal with both common operational picture display at offices rather than consolidated under platforms with the waveforms, and a remote command center inside a tent. a single PEO. Thus, the role of the ar- then a Honeywell antenna was able to As the second in the planned series of chitect is to define the vision and then speak across the frequencies associ- triannual events, the Air Force plans to shape acquisition schedules as the ated with both radio systems,” Roper stage the next demonstration in April, various technologies reach maturity. said. “So we got those three primary involving U.S. Space Force, Strategic Under Dunlap’s architecture, the vendors working together underneath Command and Northern Command. ABMS is built around six components: our government leadership.” c Roper, an Oxford-trained physicist, new sensors feeding databases in a has little patience for the military’s tra- cloud-based computing environment —With Lee Hudson

LEADING NETWORKING

22 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE

U.S. Navy Carrier Finally Hosts Aircraft

and the crew was able to fi x some of FLIGHT DECK CERTIFICATION SLATED FOR MARCH > the electrical systems, says Cmdr. Me- FORD WILL SERVE AS CARRIER-QUALIFICATION PLATFORM hdi “Metro” Akacem, the Ford’s air boss. > “In the past, we were just very cautious about high-energy electrical sys- Lee Hudson Aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford tems , even coming close to them, [and] now there are components that basi- s the shipbuilder slowly fixes can evaluate the carrier’s air wake, cally turn EMALS o ,” Akacem says. technical problems on the what naval aviators call burble, and Another challenge the Navy faced AU.S. Navy’s multibillion-dollar its compatibility with the different during testing was using the AAG, aircraft carrier famously derided by types of military aircraft. the new technology for aircraft land- President Donald Trump, the service The AAG and EMALS, both devel- ings. Parts of the AAG system are is evaluating aircraft compatibility be- oped by General Atomics, promise to still maturing, and maintenance doc- fore its scheduled deployment in 2022. increase the sortie rate by 25% com- umentation and technical manuals The start of aircraft compatibility pared to the legacy Nimitz-class car- are under revision. testing is an essential step toward ini- riers, which feature a steam catapult During qualifications, sailors are tial operations for an aircraft carrier. that is prone to corrosion. fi nding ways to improve the system. In this case, Jan. 16 marked the fi rst EMALS replaces the Nimitz-class In the past, the crew had to climb time many of the Navy’s aircraft were steam catapult to launch aircraft from around the AAG with a grease gun to able to take o and land on the Hun- the Ford’s fl ight deck. But issues with coat bearings. Now there is a mani- tington Ingalls Industries USS Gerald its development have been so bad that fold, and the crew can walk up. This R. Ford (CVN-78)—the Navy’s first Trump has threatened the Navy with simple change is saving maintainers new class of carriers since the 1970s. a return to “goddamned steam.” One 45 min., Akacem says. These compatibility tests will also lingering area of concern is the crew’s Meanwhile, the test team is adjusting allow the crew to further test two inability to electrically isolate EMALS’ to the new confi guration of the carrier. new technologies that have caused components during fl ight operations The island on the flight deck is 40% numerous cost overruns and sched- because of the shared nature of both smaller and 100 ft. aft compared to ule delays—the Advanced Arresting the energy-storage groups and pow- Nimitz-class carriers. The fl ight deck is Gear (AAG) and the Electromagnetic er-conversion subsystem inverters. also a half-acre larger on the Ford. Test Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)— The Navy applied technical analysis personnel are assessing how various that are unique to the ship class. Ad- and rehearsed maintenance procedures loads on the aircraft a ect launch and ditionally, the crew and test personnel during aircraft compatibility testing, when aircraft land, says Capt. Elizabeth

2 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE

Sailors assigned to the USS Ford’s air will work on all future Ford-class car- department supported a Sikorsky MH- riers. The Navy is committed to purchase four of the new carriers, but the 60 Sea Hawk during flight operations. service may decide to buy more. U.S. Navy Carrier ing officer. A flight deck certification is A congressionally mandated cost more than a purely technical term: It cap remains in place on the Ford. signals the crew is ready to handle air- However, in late September, the Navy craft, says Navy acquisition executive was cleared to add $197 million to the Finally Hosts Aircraft Hondo Geurts. ship’s price, for a total of $13.2 billion. While the Navy is focused on air- The funding was necessary to correct craft compatibility testing, Hunting- deficiencies on the elevators and will ton’s Newport News Shipbuilding is come from the fiscal 2019-21 budgets. still trying to fix the aircraft carrier’s Seeing shipyard personnel work Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE). with efficiency and effectiveness on Four of the 11 AWEs are up and run- the AWEs while the carrier was at sea ning, and the Navy anticipates a fifth was a “pleasant surprise,” says Geurts. elevator will be certified in March. The These comments come after stake- operationally certified elevators are holders met for a “Make Ford Ready” the three upper-stage elevators and summit hosted by Acting Navy Secre- one utility elevator that is also used tary Thomas Modly. He has character- for medical evacuations. ized the $13 billion aircraft carrier as These elevators are used to move the service’s “whipping boy” for why ordnance up to the flight deck. The the Navy cannot do anything right, AWEs use an electromechanical sys- tarnishing its reputation. tem that operates 50% faster than hy- “The Ford is something the presi-

U.S. NAVY PHOTOS draulic elevators used on the Nimitz dent cares a lot about; it’s something class. The Ford, which has two more he talks a lot about; and I think his elevators than legacy carriers, can concerns are justified,” Modly said. carry more than double the capacity “It’s very, very expensive, and it of weapons on its elevators, 24,000 lb. needs to work.” (11,000 kg) compared to 10,500 lb. The aim of the initiative is to make and the crew was able to fi x some of “Lizard” Somerville, Air Test and Eval- The main challenge with the Ford’s sure the Ford is ready for its deploy- FLIGHT DECK CERTIFICATION SLATED FOR MARCH > the electrical systems, says Cmdr. Me- uation Sqdn. 23 chief test pilot. AWEs is that all the doors are custom ment. “There is a trail of tears that ex- FORD WILL SERVE AS CARRIER-QUALIFICATION PLATFORM hdi “Metro” Akacem, the Ford’s air boss. “There’s been some discussion of sized to maximize space. To ensure ef- plains why we are where we are, but > “In the past, we were just very cau- how does this impact how the aircraft ficiency on future ships, the shipbuild- right now we need to fix that ship and tious about high-energy electrical sys- handles behind the ship in various er has developed AWE specialists who make sure it works,” Modly said. c Lee Hudson Aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford tems , even coming close to them, [and] wind conditions—high wind condi- now there are components that basi- tions, low wind conditions, winds that s the shipbuilder slowly fixes can evaluate the carrier’s air wake, cally turn EMALS o ,” Akacem says. aren’t right down the landing area, technical problems on the what naval aviators call burble, and Another challenge the Navy faced starboard,” Somerville says. AU.S. Navy’s multibillion-dollar its compatibility with the different during testing was using the AAG, This is the first time the Northrop aircraft carrier famously derided by types of military aircraft. the new technology for aircraft land- Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, President Donald Trump, the service The AAG and EMALS, both devel- ings. Parts of the AAG system are Grumman C-2A Greyhound, Boe - is evaluating aircraft compatibility be- oped by General Atomics, promise to still maturing, and maintenance doc- ing EA-18G Growler and McDonnell fore its scheduled deployment in 2022. increase the sortie rate by 25% com- umentation and technical manuals Douglas T-45 Goshawk have taken off The start of aircraft compatibility pared to the legacy Nimitz-class car- are under revision. and landed on the Ford. The Boeing testing is an essential step toward ini- riers, which feature a steam catapult During qualifications, sailors are F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was previ- tial operations for an aircraft carrier. that is prone to corrosion. fi nding ways to improve the system. ously used for Ford testing in 2018. In this case, Jan. 16 marked the fi rst EMALS replaces the Nimitz-class In the past, the crew had to climb Throughout the calendar year, the time many of the Navy’s aircraft were steam catapult to launch aircraft from around the AAG with a grease gun to Ford will be the only ship available to able to take o and land on the Hun- the Ford’s fl ight deck. But issues with coat bearings. Now there is a mani- naval aviators for carrier qualification. tington Ingalls Industries USS Gerald its development have been so bad that fold, and the crew can walk up. This Before pilots can use the Ford to be- R. Ford (CVN-78)—the Navy’s first Trump has threatened the Navy with simple change is saving maintainers come carrier-qualified, the ship must new class of carriers since the 1970s. a return to “goddamned steam.” One 45 min., Akacem says. receive its flight deck certification, These compatibility tests will also lingering area of concern is the crew’s Meanwhile, the test team is adjusting which is slated for March. allow the crew to further test two inability to electrically isolate EMALS’ to the new confi guration of the carrier. “The certification is sort of a holis- new technologies that have caused components during fl ight operations The island on the flight deck is 40% tic evaluation that looks at manpower, numerous cost overruns and sched- because of the shared nature of both smaller and 100 ft. aft compared to training and equipment,” Akacem says. ule delays—the Advanced Arresting the energy-storage groups and pow- Nimitz-class carriers. The fl ight deck is Until the flight deck is certified, pi- Gear (AAG) and the Electromagnetic er-conversion subsystem inverters. also a half-acre larger on the Ford. Test lots are operating like they have a driv- Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)— The Navy applied technical analysis personnel are assessing how various er’s permit and their father is sitting in A Grumman C-2A Greyhound landed on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier that are unique to the ship class. Ad- and rehearsed maintenance procedures loads on the aircraft a ect launch and the front passenger seat, says Capt. J.J. during compatibility testing of the vessel’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch ditionally, the crew and test personnel during aircraft compatibility testing, when aircraft land, says Capt. Elizabeth “Yank” Cummings, CVN-78 command- System and Advanced Arresting Gear.

2 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 25 COMMERCIAL AVIATION > 777X flight tests p. 28 Boeing’s tough road ahead p. 32 Coronavirus impact p. 56 Counterdrone deployments p. 70 Clean Sheet > ORIGINAL NMA LAUNCH PLAN WAS DELAYED > CHANGE IN APPROACH SHIFTS FOCUS BACK BY MAX CRISIS TO 737-757 REPLACEMENT

ON THOAST

Technology from the sidelined NMA concept will nd a place in Guy Norris Los Angeles Boeing’s next new airplane. s Boeing doubles down on its prime task of returning Key program elements focused on broadening Boeing’s new the 737 MAX to service by the middle of 2020, the product portfolio with a twin-aisle design capable of 5,000-nm Acompany is rethinking its plans for what happens next. missions that could be delivered with single-aisle production As part of his campaign to put the embattled company costs. The larger NMA, believed to be dubbed internally as back on track, Boeing’s newly installed CEO David Calhoun the 7K7-7X, was provisionally targeted at entry into service wants the product development strategists to go back to in 2025 and was expected to counter the similar-sized Airbus the drawing board over plans for a new midmarket air- A321XLR. The new Airbus variant was o cially approved by plane (NMA). the European manufacturer in June 2019 and has recently Instead of doggedly pursuing the NMA, Calhoun is asking gained ground in the key U.S. market, where both Ameri- for a refocus on a fresh next-generation design that meets can Airlines and United Airlines have selected the model. the more immediate demands of the market. The revised The latter plans to take its fi rst A321XLR in 2024 and begin design will also build on lessons learned from the MAX trans atlantic services with the longer-range variant in 2025. and potentially incorporate fundamental changes to the The overall rethink on the NMA means Boeing’s product company’s traditional approach to fl ight control doctrine development strategy is widely expected to pivot back to and piloting. studies that encompass the Future Small Airplane (FSA) Revealing the change in direction, the “NMA project is as well as the earlier phases of 757 replacement evaluations. going to be a new clean sheet of paper,” Calhoun says. “Things The result could be a new-generation family covering the have changed a bit,” since the program began in earnest in roughly 160-220-seat sector that targets the bulk of the cur- 2015, he says. “Not so much MAX-related, but the competitive rent 737 market. Although Boeing opted to re engine the 737 playing fi eld’s a little di erent.” Speaking on the company’s and launch the MAX in 2011 in favor of an all-new FSA, the quarterly earnings call, he added: “If we were not having 4,000-plus order backlog for the MAX means production is trouble with the MAX, I would have made the same decision set to continue well into the decade, even if Boeing experi- on the NMA. ences signifi cant cancellations. “There is some streamlining and prioritizing that we can This is likely to provide additional bu er time for Boeing do, and we will,” he added. “We will take the time to reassess to develop a 737-replacement family, which senior Boeing our product development strategy in a fairly methodical way. sources say would leverage the work already performed I think that’s a natural course for any new incoming leader over the past four years on the low-cost production system to take. This is not intended to delay—simply to refresh.” concepts and advanced materials, structures and systems Boeing was on the cusp of seeking board authority to o er developed for the NMA. Much of the sourcing activity for the the NMA to airlines in March-April 2019 when the plan was NMA, including engine selection, was well underway earlier derailed by the second 737 MAX accident and subsequent in 2019 when the MAX crisis took hold. worldwide grounding of the model. Stemming from earlier Calhoun indicated he has faith in the resilience of the MAX 757-replacement studies, the baseline NMA-family concept backlog, despite the grounding, and that this will give the was expanded to include a successor to the 767 and by early company some breathing room for developing a successor. last year was considered ready for market. The program “I am guessing and projecting that the MAX will hold its own was focused on two main versions, the 225-seat NMA-6X [and] that the market split that existed prior to the MCAS and 275-seat NMA-7X, with the larger of the pair expected [ Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System—the to be developed fi rst. fl ight control system software at the heart of the MAX acci-

2 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION > 777X flight tests p. 28 Boeing’s tough road ahead p. 32 Coronavirus impact p. 56 Counterdrone deployments p. 70 Clean Sheet > ORIGINAL NMA LAUNCH PLAN WAS DELAYED > CHANGE IN APPROACH SHIFTS FOCUS BACK BY MAX CRISIS TO 737-757 REPLACEMENT

ON THOAST

Technology from the sidelined NMA concept will nd a place in Guy Norris Los Angeles Boeing’s next new airplane. s Boeing doubles down on its prime task of returning Key program elements focused on broadening Boeing’s new the 737 MAX to service by the middle of 2020, the product portfolio with a twin-aisle design capable of 5,000-nm Acompany is rethinking its plans for what happens next. missions that could be delivered with single-aisle production As part of his campaign to put the embattled company costs. The larger NMA, believed to be dubbed internally as back on track, Boeing’s newly installed CEO David Calhoun the 7K7-7X, was provisionally targeted at entry into service wants the product development strategists to go back to in 2025 and was expected to counter the similar-sized Airbus the drawing board over plans for a new midmarket air- A321XLR. The new Airbus variant was o cially approved by plane (NMA). the European manufacturer in June 2019 and has recently Instead of doggedly pursuing the NMA, Calhoun is asking gained ground in the key U.S. market, where both Ameri- for a refocus on a fresh next-generation design that meets can Airlines and United Airlines have selected the model. the more immediate demands of the market. The revised The latter plans to take its fi rst A321XLR in 2024 and begin design will also build on lessons learned from the MAX trans atlantic services with the longer-range variant in 2025. and potentially incorporate fundamental changes to the The overall rethink on the NMA means Boeing’s product company’s traditional approach to fl ight control doctrine development strategy is widely expected to pivot back to and piloting. studies that encompass the Future Small Airplane (FSA) Revealing the change in direction, the “NMA project is as well as the earlier phases of 757 replacement evaluations. going to be a new clean sheet of paper,” Calhoun says. “Things The result could be a new-generation family covering the have changed a bit,” since the program began in earnest in roughly 160-220-seat sector that targets the bulk of the cur- THERE IS NO COMPARISON. 2015, he says. “Not so much MAX-related, but the competitive rent 737 market. Although Boeing opted to re engine the 737 playing fi eld’s a little di erent.” Speaking on the company’s and launch the MAX in 2011 in favor of an all-new FSA, the NO EQUAL. THERE IS ONLY ONE. quarterly earnings call, he added: “If we were not having 4,000-plus order backlog for the MAX means production is trouble with the MAX, I would have made the same decision set to continue well into the decade, even if Boeing experi- THE COMMERCIAL JET ENGINE on the NMA. ences signifi cant cancellations. IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN. “There is some streamlining and prioritizing that we can This is likely to provide additional bu er time for Boeing do, and we will,” he added. “We will take the time to reassess to develop a 737-replacement family, which senior Boeing Powered by an industry-fi rst geared architecture — and more than our product development strategy in a fairly methodical way. sources say would leverage the work already performed 40 other groundbreaking innovations — the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ I think that’s a natural course for any new incoming leader over the past four years on the low-cost production system to take. This is not intended to delay—simply to refresh.” concepts and advanced materials, structures and systems is unlike any engine that’s come before it. Boeing was on the cusp of seeking board authority to o er developed for the NMA. Much of the sourcing activity for the EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT AT PW.UTC.COM the NMA to airlines in March-April 2019 when the plan was NMA, including engine selection, was well underway earlier derailed by the second 737 MAX accident and subsequent in 2019 when the MAX crisis took hold. worldwide grounding of the model. Stemming from earlier Calhoun indicated he has faith in the resilience of the MAX 757-replacement studies, the baseline NMA-family concept backlog, despite the grounding, and that this will give the was expanded to include a successor to the 767 and by early company some breathing room for developing a successor. last year was considered ready for market. The program “I am guessing and projecting that the MAX will hold its own was focused on two main versions, the 225-seat NMA-6X [and] that the market split that existed prior to the MCAS and 275-seat NMA-7X, with the larger of the pair expected [ Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System—the to be developed fi rst. fl ight control system software at the heart of the MAX acci-

2 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

dents] will restore itself, and that will give us a lot of freedom we might have to start with the flight control philosophy on that next airplane. But I wouldn’t kid you if there were a before we actually get to the airplane. Because the decision reason that share position didn’t restore itself.” around pilots flying airplanes, that’s a very important deci- The revised focus on a new aircraft family smaller than sion for the regulator and for us to get our heads around.” the NMA will also challenge the engine-makers which, up Calhoun referenced how the change may see Boeing until now, have been designing new powerplants in the move closer to the flight control system approach adopted 50,000-lb.-thrust range. The General Electric-Safran CFM by Airbus. “We have always favored airplanes that required International joint venture was competing against Pratt & more pilot flying than maybe our competitor did,” he said. Whitney to be sole-source supplier for the NMA, and the “But we’re all going to have to get our head around exactly change in direction may enable Rolls-Royce to reenter the what we want out of that. So that’ll be a process that will go fray. Rolls dropped out of the NMA race in February 2019, on alongside the next airplane development.” citing concerns over its ability to meet Boeing’s original de- In an Airbus design, the flight control system will protect velopment schedule. All three manufacturers are now ex- the aircraft from entering proscribed attitudes and speeds pected to begin evaluating new, smaller, engines. by limiting or augmenting the movement of control surfaces, Commenting on the potential change in flight control de- while in a Boeing fly-by-wire design (such as the 777 and 787) sign thinking that would come with the revised design ap- the pilot retains final control authority to override the limits proach, Calhoun said: “I have had discussions with the FAA; of the flight control system.c BOEING/PAUL WEATHERMAN Boeing 777X Flight-Test Campaign Takes Off

> 777-9 TEST EFFORT WILL INVOLVE FOUR DEDICATED AIRCRAFT The initial 777-9 WH001 has continued envelope expansion INITIAL TESTS SHOWED TROUBLE-FREE > since its first flight on Jan. 25. OPERATION OF FOLDING WINGTIPS

Guy Norris Los Angeles and Seattle

he 777X is already pivotal to test debut of the 777-9—the first mem- specified number of the 777-9’s shorter Boeing’s future, but the newly ber of the 777X family —also marks a 777-8 sibling, the introduction of which Tbegun flight-test and certifica- critical positive step for the company’s is being deferred to 2024. tion campaign for the long-range flag- long-term widebody strategy. The big Although some of the initial or - ship has assumed even greater signifi- twin is designed to succeed earlier gen- ders from key Middle Eastern and cance as the company strives to rebuild erations of 747s, 777s, Airbus A340s Asian carriers, including Emirates trust amid the crisis over the 737 MAX. and A380s, and is expected to satisfy and Cathay Pacific, are thought to be The success of the first flight on a demand that Boeing forecasts could vulnerable to deferral, substitution Jan. 25, after two days of frustrating be between 60-100 aircraft per year or even cancellation, Boeing says the bad-weather delays, therefore marked through 2030 for replacements alone. 13% lower operating costs of the 777-9 a significant boost for the beleaguered First deliveries of the 777-9 are ex- compared to the 777-300ER will under- manufacturer as it prioritizes the re- pected to launch customer Emirates in pin the long-term demand. “There are turn to service for the MAX and scours 2021, a year later than planned, after about 800 aircraft out there that need the market for new business to offset initial development issues and a six- to be replaced over the next decade, the recent slump in twin-aisle orders. month delay to the start of flight tests and that’s not including additional de- Coming more than 25 years after the caused by durability issues with the mand for growth” says Boeing 777X first flight of the original 777 and al- General Electric GE9X engines. After Marketing Director Wendy Sowers. most 17 years after the first flight of the recent adjustments, the 777X family or- However, the program’s success ul- GE90-115B-powered 777-300ER, the derbook stands at 309, including an un- timately hinges on the performance

28 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION Enabling the Extraordinary dents] will restore itself, and that will give us a lot of freedom we might have to start with the flight control philosophy To Fly To Power To Live on that next airplane. But I wouldn’t kid you if there were a before we actually get to the airplane. Because the decision reason that share position didn’t restore itself.” around pilots flying airplanes, that’s a very important deci- The revised focus on a new aircraft family smaller than sion for the regulator and for us to get our heads around.” the NMA will also challenge the engine-makers which, up Calhoun referenced how the change may see Boeing until now, have been designing new powerplants in the move closer to the flight control system approach adopted 50,000-lb.-thrust range. The General Electric-Safran CFM by Airbus. “We have always favored airplanes that required International joint venture was competing against Pratt & more pilot flying than maybe our competitor did,” he said. Whitney to be sole-source supplier for the NMA, and the “But we’re all going to have to get our head around exactly change in direction may enable Rolls-Royce to reenter the what we want out of that. So that’ll be a process that will go fray. Rolls dropped out of the NMA race in February 2019, on alongside the next airplane development.” citing concerns over its ability to meet Boeing’s original de- In an Airbus design, the flight control system will protect velopment schedule. All three manufacturers are now ex- the aircraft from entering proscribed attitudes and speeds pected to begin evaluating new, smaller, engines. by limiting or augmenting the movement of control surfaces, Commenting on the potential change in flight control de- while in a Boeing fly-by-wire design (such as the 777 and 787) sign thinking that would come with the revised design ap- the pilot retains final control authority to override the limits proach, Calhoun said: “I have had discussions with the FAA; of the flight control system.c BOEING/PAUL WEATHERMAN Boeing 777X Flight-Test Campaign Takes Off EXTREME

> 777-9 TEST EFFORT WILL INVOLVE FOUR Around the globe, military and aerospace systems DEDICATED AIRCRAFT The initial 777-9 WH001 has Advanced thermal designers have turned to Meggitt to help them continued envelope expansion INITIAL TESTS SHOWED TROUBLE-FREE meet thermal and power management challenges > since its first flight on Jan. 25. management for extreme OPERATION OF FOLDING WINGTIPS with compact, lightweight, and efficient vapor cycle military environments systems, liquid cooling systems and components Guy Norris Los Angeles and Seattle including fans, pumps and compressors. he 777X is already pivotal to test debut of the 777-9—the first mem- specified number of the 777-9’s shorter Meggitt has developed cooling solutions for the most Boeing’s future, but the newly ber of the 777X family —also marks a 777-8 sibling, the introduction of which challenging flight conditions, missions, and extreme Tbegun flight-test and certifica- critical positive step for the company’s is being deferred to 2024. tion campaign for the long-range flag- long-term widebody strategy. The big Although some of the initial or - environments. From low supersonic flight, to high hot ship has assumed even greater signifi- twin is designed to succeed earlier gen- ders from key Middle Eastern and wet hover, to desert and arctic operations, our thermal cance as the company strives to rebuild erations of 747s, 777s, Airbus A340s Asian carriers, including Emirates management solutions are proven and ready to meet trust amid the crisis over the 737 MAX. and A380s, and is expected to satisfy and Cathay Pacific, are thought to be The success of the first flight on a demand that Boeing forecasts could vulnerable to deferral, substitution the challenge of the more electronic platform and Jan. 25, after two days of frustrating be between 60-100 aircraft per year or even cancellation, Boeing says the battlefield. bad-weather delays, therefore marked through 2030 for replacements alone. 13% lower operating costs of the 777-9 a significant boost for the beleaguered First deliveries of the 777-9 are ex- compared to the 777-300ER will under- Tel: +1 949 465 7700 manufacturer as it prioritizes the re- pected to launch customer Emirates in pin the long-term demand. “There are turn to service for the MAX and scours 2021, a year later than planned, after about 800 aircraft out there that need E-mail: [email protected] the market for new business to offset initial development issues and a six- to be replaced over the next decade, the recent slump in twin-aisle orders. month delay to the start of flight tests and that’s not including additional de- Coming more than 25 years after the caused by durability issues with the mand for growth” says Boeing 777X www.meggittdefense.com first flight of the original 777 and al- General Electric GE9X engines. After Marketing Director Wendy Sowers. most 17 years after the first flight of the recent adjustments, the 777X family or- However, the program’s success ul- GE90-115B-powered 777-300ER, the derbook stands at 309, including an un- timately hinges on the performance

28 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

of the aircraft and the progress of its chase aircraft for a photoshoot session Initial tests using WH001 will clear passage through what will be an intense around Mount Rainier. The 777-9 then the way for FAA Type Inspection Au- and closely scrutinized test campaign. returned to Seattle for its first landing thority, which will enable Boeing and This finally got underway when the on Boeing Field’s Runway 14R. the regulatory authority to begin the 777-9—flown by chief test pilot Van Observers noted the relatively shal- certification campaign along with on- Chaney and Craig Bomben, vice presi- low pitch attitude used for rotation on going engineering tests. The 777X’s dent of flight operations and 777-9 chief takeoff as well as for the landing flare, new 235.4-ft. span wing, and the fold- test pilot—took off from the company’s most likely associated with the air- ing tip sections that make up almost Everett, Washington, facility at Paine craft’s 252-ft. overall length. The 777-9 24-ft. of span, will be a focus for the Field at 10:09 a.m. and landed at Boeing is the largest twinjet ever built and is tests. The fourth-generation composite Field, Seattle, after a 3-hr. 51-min. flight. 43 ft. longer than the initial 777-200 design incorporates a modified trailing The flight began with a standard variant. The very low noise signature edge variable camber system derived first-of-model departure to the north of the GE9X engines was also noted on from the 787 as well as a maneuver load from Paine Field’s Runway 34 Left. The both departure and arrival. The crew alleviation system to limit stresses on 777-9, with the Boeing code WH001, reported the aircraft performed well the wing and reduce structural weight. disappeared almost immediately af- and flew like the -300ER, despite the in- The folding tips, which resemble ter takeoff into the low clouds before creased fuselage length and wingspan. 777-9 winglets while stowed on the heading to eastern Washington, where Following a brief post-flight ground- ground, appear to have performed as system checks as well as basic flying test period, WH001 flew for a second expected during the initial flights. The qualities and handling assessments time on Jan. 29 to continue envelope tips were seen to deploy rapidly as the were conducted at an altitude of 15,000 expansion. The 4-hr. 43-min. flight, con- aircraft took to the runway before take- ft. and speeds of 160-270 kt. ducted over eastern Washington, will off and retracted promptly into stowed A series of low-speed checks were be followed over the following weeks position after landing. The folding wing- made while the crew flew a racetrack with additional flights for further en- tip is extended by a command from the pattern over the northern part of velope expansion and flutter clearance flight crew before takeoff, but on land- the state. The 777-9 was then flown testing. The second of four dedicated ing, it is designed to automatically fold southwest, reaching an altitude of test aircraft, WH002, is expected to after touchdown, as soon as ground over 16,500 ft. before joining up with a join the program in the coming weeks. speed slows below 50 kt. The charac- teristic feature, the first of its type ever to fly on a commercial airliner, was developed to maximize aerodynamic performance while simultaneously enabling the 777-8/9 to operate at Interna- tional Civil Aviation Organization Code FLY ABOVE EXPECTATIONS E standard taxiways, as well as gate and ramp areas in common with the current AT SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2020 747-400 and 777-300ER. As Asia’s largest aerospace and defence event, Singapore Ground testing will evaluate stan- Airshow 2020 will play a crucial role in creating opportunities, dard and nonstandard operations of driving innovations and shaping the future of flight. the device, which in normal operational mode will take 20 sec. to fully extend 5 reasons to visit aviation’s finest and fold. For nonstandard operations, such as in the event of a rejected take- • View exhibits from over 1,000 of the world’s leading aerospace companies off (RTO), the autofold feature is en- • Explore disruption solutions devised by entrepreneurial minds at What’s Next abled along with autobrakes and speed startup showcase brakes if the takeoff is abandoned at a • Gain insights from world-class though leaders at high-level conferences and business forums including ground speed of 85 kt. or more. Howev- - Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit (SAALS) er, if the RTO occurs at less than 85 kt., - Next Generation MRO in a Digital World the autofold function will not trigger, - Changing the Game for Manufacturing - How New OEM Business Models are Rewriting and the crew will need to manually ac- the Rule Book for Suppliers tivate the wingtip folding system. - Lindbergh Innovation Forum Designed to meet a set of special • Network with leaders in government, defence and commercial sectors certification conditions developed by • Witness breathtaking aerobatics and static aircraft display the FAA, the wingtip ground tests will cover checks of additional safeguards Register now at www.singaporeairshow.com to visit the show! to ensure against accidental retraction To start building your show To book your space, contact: For the U.S. Pavilion, contact: in flight or unlocking during takeoff, as marketing plans, contact: Danny Soong / Cathryn Lee Michael Petrassi well as checking robust performance in Iain Blackhall [email protected] [email protected] gusting winds. Test standards for the [email protected] wingtips are designed to conform with @OfficialSingaporeAirshow @SGAirshow OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER the same certification requirements as OF THE SINGAPORE AIR SHOW @SingaporeAirshow #SGAirshow2020 other moving surfaces such as ailerons and flaps.c

30 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION of the aircraft and the progress of its chase aircraft for a photoshoot session Initial tests using WH001 will clear passage through what will be an intense around Mount Rainier. The 777-9 then the way for FAA Type Inspection Au- and closely scrutinized test campaign. returned to Seattle for its first landing thority, which will enable Boeing and This finally got underway when the on Boeing Field’s Runway 14R. the regulatory authority to begin the 777-9—flown by chief test pilot Van Observers noted the relatively shal- certification campaign along with on- Chaney and Craig Bomben, vice presi- low pitch attitude used for rotation on going engineering tests. The 777X’s dent of flight operations and 777-9 chief takeoff as well as for the landing flare, new 235.4-ft. span wing, and the fold- test pilot—took off from the company’s most likely associated with the air- ing tip sections that make up almost Everett, Washington, facility at Paine craft’s 252-ft. overall length. The 777-9 24-ft. of span, will be a focus for the Field at 10:09 a.m. and landed at Boeing is the largest twinjet ever built and is tests. The fourth-generation composite Field, Seattle, after a 3-hr. 51-min. flight. 43 ft. longer than the initial 777-200 design incorporates a modified trailing The flight began with a standard variant. The very low noise signature edge variable camber system derived first-of-model departure to the north of the GE9X engines was also noted on from the 787 as well as a maneuver load from Paine Field’s Runway 34 Left. The both departure and arrival. The crew alleviation system to limit stresses on 777-9, with the Boeing code WH001, reported the aircraft performed well the wing and reduce structural weight. disappeared almost immediately af- and flew like the -300ER, despite the in- The folding tips, which resemble ter takeoff into the low clouds before creased fuselage length and wingspan. 777-9 winglets while stowed on the heading to eastern Washington, where Following a brief post-flight ground- ground, appear to have performed as system checks as well as basic flying test period, WH001 flew for a second expected during the initial flights. The qualities and handling assessments time on Jan. 29 to continue envelope tips were seen to deploy rapidly as the were conducted at an altitude of 15,000 expansion. The 4-hr. 43-min. flight, con- aircraft took to the runway before take- ft. and speeds of 160-270 kt. ducted over eastern Washington, will off and retracted promptly into stowed A series of low-speed checks were be followed over the following weeks position after landing. The folding wing- made while the crew flew a racetrack with additional flights for further en- tip is extended by a command from the pattern over the northern part of velope expansion and flutter clearance flight crew before takeoff, but on land- the state. The 777-9 was then flown testing. The second of four dedicated ing, it is designed to automatically fold southwest, reaching an altitude of test aircraft, WH002, is expected to after touchdown, as soon as ground over 16,500 ft. before joining up with a join the program in the coming weeks. speed slows below 50 kt. The charac- teristic feature, the first of its type ever to fly on a commercial airliner, was developed to maximize aerodynamic performance while simultaneously enabling the 777-8/9 to operate at Interna- tional Civil Aviation Organization Code FLY ABOVE EXPECTATIONS E standard taxiways, as well as gate and ramp areas in common with the current AT SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2020 747-400 and 777-300ER. As Asia’s largest aerospace and defence event, Singapore Ground testing will evaluate stan- Airshow 2020 will play a crucial role in creating opportunities, dard and nonstandard operations of driving innovations and shaping the future of flight. the device, which in normal operational mode will take 20 sec. to fully extend 5 reasons to visit aviation’s finest and fold. For nonstandard operations, such as in the event of a rejected take- • View exhibits from over 1,000 of the world’s leading aerospace companies off (RTO), the autofold feature is en- • Explore disruption solutions devised by entrepreneurial minds at What’s Next abled along with autobrakes and speed startup showcase brakes if the takeoff is abandoned at a • Gain insights from world-class though leaders at high-level conferences and business forums including ground speed of 85 kt. or more. Howev- - Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit (SAALS) er, if the RTO occurs at less than 85 kt., - Next Generation MRO in a Digital World the autofold function will not trigger, - Changing the Game for Manufacturing - How New OEM Business Models are Rewriting and the crew will need to manually ac- the Rule Book for Suppliers tivate the wingtip folding system. - Lindbergh Innovation Forum Designed to meet a set of special • Network with leaders in government, defence and commercial sectors certification conditions developed by • Witness breathtaking aerobatics and static aircraft display the FAA, the wingtip ground tests will cover checks of additional safeguards Register now at www.singaporeairshow.com to visit the show! to ensure against accidental retraction To start building your show To book your space, contact: For the U.S. Pavilion, contact: in flight or unlocking during takeoff, as marketing plans, contact: Danny Soong / Cathryn Lee Michael Petrassi well as checking robust performance in Iain Blackhall [email protected] [email protected] gusting winds. Test standards for the [email protected] wingtips are designed to conform with @OfficialSingaporeAirshow @SGAirshow OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER the same certification requirements as OF THE SINGAPORE AIR SHOW @SingaporeAirshow #SGAirshow2020 other moving surfaces such as ailerons and flaps.c

30 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

> BOEING’S FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 2019 WERE THE WORST IN A GENERATION

> GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, WHATEVER THAT IS, DAVID RYDER/GETTY IMAGES COULD TAKE YEARS

Michael Bruno Washington

oeing will not be normal again $76.6 billion, down 24% from $101.13 bil- There are hundreds of parked 737 for three years—not financially, lion in 2018 and far from the $109.5-111.5 MAXs and fuselages around the U.S., Bnot in its aircraft production and billion once envisioned before the nar- and delivering them will slow maybe not even in its culture and way rowbody crisis. In turn, shareholders production increases. of doing business. Instead, the next will see a loss of $1.12 per share against three years will see the world’s largest a gain of $17.85 in 2018. ply chain and have been for quite some publicly traded aerospace and defense “We recognize we have a lot of work time,” Chief Financial Officer Greg company, the 103-year-old backbone to do,” Calhoun said. “We are focused Smith said at the teleconference of the of modern commercial aviation and on returning the 737 MAX to service more than 600 suppliers involved. “It’s defense prime contracting, try to fix it- safely and restoring the long-standing in all of our best interests to make sure self and mend the airliner supply chain trust that the Boeing brand represents they are healthy—and frankly, coming along the way. with the flying public. We are commit- out of this process healthier than they “We will restore production health, ted to transparency and excellence in did coming in.” both within Boeing’s four walls and the everything we do.” Boeing provided no financial guid- industry at large,” new CEO and Pres- The 2019 losses were the first for ance for 2020, and since forecasts for ident David Calhoun told a worldwide Boeing since 1997. What is more, the 2019 were scrapped last spring after audience tuning in to Boeing’s 2019 company disclosed $9.2 billion in the MAX issue emerged, analysts had earnings teleconference Jan. 29, per- new or pending charges due to the little consensus to compare against haps the most anticipated quarterly production-halted and grounded MAX, and were not surprised by the red ink. report in the company’s history. “That bringing the total cost of the embattled In notes to investor clients, many said said, there [is] always some investment program to at least $18.6 billion. they viewed the earnings report as a reprioritizing and streamlining that we By category, Boeing added $2.6 billion “kitchen-sinking,” in which Calhoun can do, and we will. We’ll take the time to the amount expected for customer and Smith were looking to disclose as to reassess our product development compensation, increasing that to $8.2 much bad news now as possible. strategy in a fairly methodical way.” billion. Another $2.6 billion was added Still, some analysts say their eye- Last year turned out to be the ugliest to the 3,100-aircraft multiyear 737 pro- brows were raised by a few details. For for Boeing’s finances in a generation, gram check accounting basis, now $6.2 starters, Boeing reported cash outflow with the Chicago-based manufacturer billion. Finally, in a new twist, Boeing un- of $2.7 billion for the fourth quarter of of the embattled 737 MAX and other veiled a $4 billion charge for “abnormal 2019, far below the $1 billion cash gain aerospace and defense products re- production costs” that will be expensed many expected. While it was not de- porting a net loss of $636 million. as incurred, primarily in 2020. tailed how the money was spent, Smith The 2019 loss contrasted with 2018 Of the last, some will be spent sup- said Boeing paid $1.4 billion in compen- profits of $10.46 billion, Boeing’s best on porting suppliers on an individual basis. sation to MAX customers in 2019. record. Revenue last year was almost “We’re engaged at all tiers of the sup- Among other sour notes was confir-

32 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

mation that the 787 widebody produc- More details will emerge in the Peter Zimm, a principal at Charles Ed- tion rate will drop to 10 new aircraft coming weeks as the rest of the supply wards Management Consulting. “Many Maintenance, Repair a month in early 2021, with the hope chain reports its own latest quarterly of them have discounted their prices of returning to 12 in 2023. Also, Boeing financials, but expectations are almost in response to Boeing’s Partnership for Defense and Security’s revenue was universally negative. Success program and don’t have the and Overhaul 13% lower than the previous year’s, “For industry, the supply chain is go- means to keep people on the payroll and the company says the division’s ing to be hurt more than they think,” throughout the pause.” fourth-quarter operating margin de- Eric Bernardini, AlixPartners aero- Zimm adds: “Some of the subtier creased to 0.5%, due in part to a $410 space, defense and aviation managing suppliers will ask themselves: Why million pretax Commercial Crew partner, tells Aviation Week. He thinks endure the rate reduction only to face charge primarily to provision for an it will take at least two years for things future cost-reduction pressures when additional uncrewed mission for the to get back to normal, but the good high rates resume?” NASA program. Another $143 million news is it will be smoother and slower. The MAX has created other effects in charges were taken on the troubled Yet, resynchronizing the supply in the supply chain. At leading compos- and delayed KC-46A aerial refueling chain toward rates of 52, 57 and be- ites provider Hexcel, capital expendi- tanker for the U.S. Air Force, as well. yond will be even harder than before, tures are forecast to be $100-120 million Several analysts expressed contin- Bernardini believes, due in part to the this year, lower than previous guidance > BOEING’S FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 2019 WERE ued caution, at best. “We think inves- need to mitigate the current disruption as the narrowbody’s issues have led it THE WORST IN A GENERATION tors will continue to be worried that we but also because bad blood lingers from to slow the previously announced car- have yet to really set a new baseline for the precrisis Partnership for Success bon-fiber factory capacity addition at earnings and cash flow, with the cash supply chain squeeze. Savvy suppliers its Decatur, Alabama, facility. > GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, WHATEVER THAT IS, DAVID RYDER/GETTY IMAGES from the 2019 MAX charges yet to flow “With the slowdown on the MAX and COULD TAKE YEARS through, and then there is another $4 even now with some additional softness billion of estimated cost still to go,” say To effect any positive with the 787 coming out later in the year Rob Stallard and Karl Oehlschlaeger of by the rate 10 in 2021, that gives us the Vertical Research Partners. “Oh, and change, many say Boeing confidence that we can push that CapEx Michael Bruno Washington the 787 rate is coming down, and the must change its culture— spending to the right and decrease our Defense [and Space] division has an- overall CapEx spend in 2020 and even other problem program.” and they have yet to see the new 2020 and 2021,” says Hexcel Chairman, oeing will not be normal again $76.6 billion, down 24% from $101.13 bil- There are hundreds of parked 737 Not surprisingly, Boeing is turning to management even acknowledge the CEO and President Nick Stanage. for three years—not financially, lion in 2018 and far from the $109.5-111.5 MAXs and fuselages around the U.S., debt financing to help carry it through depth of the challenge. Still, to effect any positive change, Bnot in its aircraft production and billion once envisioned before the nar- and delivering them will slow this period. Smith said Boeing is final- many observers say Boeing must maybe not even in its culture and way rowbody crisis. In turn, shareholders izing a new term loan worth at least $12 change its culture—and they have yet production increases. of doing business. Instead, the next will see a loss of $1.12 per share against billion, although it could be more when to see the new management even ac- three years will see the world’s largest a gain of $17.85 in 2018. ply chain and have been for quite some the debt financing closes this month. will use this time to better prepare for knowledge the depth of the challenge. publicly traded aerospace and defense “We recognize we have a lot of work time,” Chief Financial Officer Greg The company ended 2019 with $10 bil- more sustainable production, and a “While the new CEO expressed company, the 103-year-old backbone to do,” Calhoun said. “We are focused Smith said at the teleconference of the lion in cash and securities but also $27 few might even be able to renegotiate more contrition, and there was a sig- of modern commercial aviation and on returning the 737 MAX to service more than 600 suppliers involved. “It’s billion in total debt. terms with Boeing. “Some suppliers nificantly lower quota for the word defense prime contracting, try to fix it- safely and restoring the long-standing in all of our best interests to make sure This will weigh on Boeing, says are really upset with Boeing,” he says. ‘solid’ in management commentary, self and mend the airliner supply chain trust that the Boeing brand represents they are healthy—and frankly, coming Moody’s Investors Service Senior Vice “They are still really demanding.” much of what we heard in [the telecon- along the way. with the flying public. We are commit- out of this process healthier than they President and lead analyst Jonathan Major providers concur. “We have ference] was the same old Boeing,” say “We will restore production health, ted to transparency and excellence in did coming in.” Root. “We now anticipate the road to gotten various production rates; the Vertical analysts, a critical pair who both within Boeing’s four walls and the everything we do.” Boeing provided no financial guid- restoring the MAX production system they’re not all the same just due to were not allowed to ask a question on industry at large,” new CEO and Pres- The 2019 losses were the first for ance for 2020, and since forecasts for and Boeing’s credit profile will run into each individual [company]. The Tier 1s the teleconference. “We’re still banned ident David Calhoun told a worldwide Boeing since 1997. What is more, the 2019 were scrapped last spring after 2023 and be much costlier, given signifi- have their own rates that they’re look- from asking questions on the confer- audience tuning in to Boeing’s 2019 company disclosed $9.2 billion in the MAX issue emerged, analysts had cant negative free cash flow near $10 bil- ing at,” Woodward Chairman, CEO and ence call, but the questions with any earnings teleconference Jan. 29, per- new or pending charges due to the little consensus to compare against lion in 2020, even if the FAA ungrounds President Tom Gendron told analysts ‘bite’ versus the softballs saw classic haps the most anticipated quarterly production-halted and grounded MAX, and were not surprised by the red ink. the aircraft by midspring,” he says. Feb. 3. “It’s a challenging environment management responses. report in the company’s history. “That bringing the total cost of the embattled In notes to investor clients, many said Boeing still has not forecast produc- because you know you’re going to go “For example, the MAX issues are a said, there [is] always some investment program to at least $18.6 billion. they viewed the earnings report as a tion plans beyond stating that it can re- down, but then you’re going to come ‘hiccup’; the value case of the aircraft reprioritizing and streamlining that we By category, Boeing added $2.6 billion “kitchen-sinking,” in which Calhoun start manufacturing months before back up. And the type of product we remains strong; widebody demand can do, and we will. We’ll take the time to the amount expected for customer and Smith were looking to disclose as the MAX is returned to service. But make does require very skilled labor, is ‘solid;’ don’t worry—China will or- to reassess our product development compensation, increasing that to $8.2 much bad news now as possible. already major suppliers, analysts and and a lot of special machinery in spe- der loads of 787s; Boeing cares about strategy in a fairly methodical way.” billion. Another $2.6 billion was added Still, some analysts say their eye- consultants are piecing together a road cialty activity from our supply base supply chain health; and there are no Last year turned out to be the ugliest to the 3,100-aircraft multiyear 737 pro- brows were raised by a few details. For map that foresees MAX monthly unit that we need to retain.” broad corporate culture concerns,” for Boeing’s finances in a generation, gram check accounting basis, now $6.2 starters, Boeing reported cash outflow production rates hitting the mid-20s Consultants fear some Tier 2 and 3 Stallard and Oehlschlaeger lament. with the Chicago-based manufacturer billion. Finally, in a new twist, Boeing un- of $2.7 billion for the fourth quarter of this year, the 30s most of next year and suppliers might go out of business or “And for CEO Calhoun to claim that of the embattled 737 MAX and other veiled a $4 billion charge for “abnormal 2019, far below the $1 billion cash gain possibly back to 52—where it stood be- exit the A&D sector. “Many suppliers he is an ‘outsider’, having been on the aerospace and defense products re- production costs” that will be expensed many expected. While it was not de- fore the MAX crisis—by the end of 2022. added significant resources to grow board for 10 years while effectively fir- porting a net loss of $636 million. as incurred, primarily in 2020. tailed how the money was spent, Smith Calhoun and Smith talked about their MAX-related operations to keep ing the prior CEO, stretches credulity. The 2019 loss contrasted with 2018 Of the last, some will be spent sup- said Boeing paid $1.4 billion in compen- adding one airplane at a time to the pace with [about] 50 per month, and Fixing a problem requires recognition profits of $10.46 billion, Boeing’s best on porting suppliers on an individual basis. sation to MAX customers in 2019. production process. “Remember, we [Boeing] largely kept them engaged at that there is a problem in the first record. Revenue last year was almost “We’re engaged at all tiers of the sup- Among other sour notes was confir- emptied the line,” Calhoun noted. the 40-50 range throughout 2019,” says place—and Boeing is not there yet.” c

32 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 33 BUSINESS

scale and scope of the wrongdoing disclosed in the Statement Huge Fine Clears of Facts demonstrate that bribery was . . . endemic in two core business areas within Airbus,” says Victoria Sharp, president of the Queen’s Bench Division at the SFO. The two divisions Way for Airbus are Airbus Commercial and Airbus Defense & Space. “Through bribes, Airbus allowed rampant corruption to > COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFT AS WELL invade the U.S. system,” says Jessie K. Liu, U.S. Attorney for AS SATELLITE SALES INVOLVED BRIBES the District of Columbia. “Additionally, Airbus falsely reported information about their conduct to the U.S. government > CASE IS NOW RIPPLING THROUGH CUSTOMERS for more than five years in order to gain valuable licenses to export U.S. military technology.” In the latter instance, Air- Thierry Dubois Lyon, France bus failed to provide the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls with “accurate information related to he €3.6 billion ($4 billion) final agreements Airbus commissions paid by Airbus to third-party brokers who were has reached with French, UK and U.S. authorities to hired to solicit, promote or otherwise secure the sale of de- Tresolve a corruption case, although colossal, is in fact fense articles and defense services to foreign armed forces,” a satisfactory outcome for the company. according to the Justice Department. Not only does Airbus conclude long period of investigation, Nevertheless, Airbus points out that neither the SFO nor it also avoids even longer judicial procedures and accompany- the PNF agreement amount to an admission of liability. In ing sensational trials. It also steers clear of any admission of Europe, “it is very good for Airbus; nobody can say Airbus liability under French or UK laws. No Airbus employee was has acknowledged guilt,” says Jean Tamalet, partner in Par- convicted or even named in the proceedings. is-based Bird & Bird’s Dispute Resolution Group and an ex- The end of judicial trouble for Airbus comes as its competi- pert in white collar crime. tor is bogged down in an even more costly crisis, as the Boeing “The fine is massive, but one should compare it to a 4- or 737 MAX is grounded and production halted. 5-year judicial investigation, followed by two months of trial in a courtroom full of journalists,” Tamalet notes. Without even considering the potential sentence, just the sheer impact on Airbus’ image would cause more damage than the agreed €3.6 billion penalty. The law firms advising Airbus in the bargaining process issued press releases to highlight their roles—they would Aircraft sales agreed to in not have done so 2014 by AirAsia Executive if the result would Director Tony Fernandes (left) have been seen as and then-Airbus Commercial negative for the President Fabrice Bregier airframer. (right) were marred by Why would the PNF or another corruption, according to administration the UK Serious Fraud Office. choose negotiation instead of proceeding with a prosecution? “When prosecutors are sure about the case, their interest is not to offer a negotiation; but if they know some legal elements might cause them to fail in court, they P.H. DELMUR /AIRBUS look for a trade-off,” says Tamalet. For France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF), the agree- The penalty should be described as a civil penalty, not a ment is a way to establish itself as an international counter- fine resulting from a conviction, says Tamalet. corruption authority. The amounts the Justice Department, PNF and SFO decid- Meanwhile, some carriers whose employees were involved ed on are based on both clear rules and subjective interpre- in bribery may face undesired consequences. tation. They factor in the gravity of the wrongdoing (such as Under the final settlement agreements, Airbus will pay bribery of public officials), that the involved executives have PNF €2.083 billion, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) €984 left and Airbus’ cooperative attitude. The company reported million, the U.S. Justice Department €526 million and the itself in 2016, and the acts are understood to have happened State Department €9 million. These amounts and promised between 2008 and 2015. compliance programs resolve “the authorities’ investigations To put the amounts in perspective, Airbus reported reve- into allegations of bribery and corruption,” as well as investi- nues of €64 billion for 2018, as well as earnings before interest gations into “inaccurate and misleading filings made with the and taxes of €5 billion and free cash flow (before mergers and [State Department] pursuant to the U.S. International Traffic acquisitions and customer financing) of €2.9 billion. in Arms Regulations,” says Airbus. The fact the PNF is imposing such a heavy penalty may Strong statements were issued about the gravity of the be a message to its U.S. counterpart. In recent years, French facts behind the case. “The number of countries subject to governments and the country’s media have expressed unease intense criminal investigation by the various agencies and the about U.S. sanctions against French companies. The main

34 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST BUSINESS Chinese airlines (unspecified) b eh scale and scope of the wrongdoing disclosed in the Statement Huge Fine Clears of Facts demonstrate that bribery was . . . endemic in two core Customers mentioned in the bribery and ITAR allegations business areas within Airbus,” says Victoria Sharp, president of the Queen’s Bench Division at the SFO. The two divisions eChinese airlines (unspecified) ee Way for Airbus are Airbus Commercial and Airbus Defense & Space. “Through bribes, Airbus allowed rampant corruption to > COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY AIRCRAFT AS WELL invade the U.S. system,” says Jessie K. Liu, U.S. Attorney for AS SATELLITE SALES INVOLVED BRIBES the District of Columbia. “Additionally, Airbus falsely reported information about their conduct to the U.S. government > CASE IS NOW RIPPLING THROUGH CUSTOMERS for more than five years in order to gain valuable licenses to export U.S. military technology.” In the latter instance, Air- Thierry Dubois Lyon, France bus failed to provide the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls with “accurate information related to he €3.6 billion ($4 billion) final agreements Airbus commissions paid by Airbus to third-party brokers who were Chinese airlines (unspecified) has reached with French, UK and U.S. authorities to hired to solicit, promote or otherwise secure the sale of de- resolve a corruption case, although colossal, is in fact fense articles and defense services to foreign armed forces,” Russian Satellite T Communications Company a satisfactory outcome for the company. according to the Justice Department. Not only does Airbus conclude long period of investigation, Nevertheless, Airbus points out that neither the SFO nor Russian Satellite it also avoids even longer judicial procedures and accompany- the PNF agreement amount to an admission of liability. In Communications Company ing sensational trials. It also steers clear of any admission of Europe, “it is very good for Airbus; nobody can say Airbus Judicial documents show Airbus liability under French or UK laws. No Airbus employee was has acknowledged guilt,” says Jean Tamalet, partner in Par- employees were involved in bribery convicted or even named in the proceedings. is-based Bird & Bird’s Dispute Resolution Group and an ex- for the sale of commercial aircraft and The end of judicial trouble for Airbus comes as its competi- pert in white collar crime. satellites and concealed information tor is bogged down in an even more costly crisis, as the Boeing “The fine is massive, but one should compare it to a 4- or Austria they shouldGhana have transmittedIndonesia to U.S. Vietnam 737 MAX is grounded and production halted. 5-year judicial investigation, followed by two months of trial Austria Ghana Indonesia Vietnam authorities in the ITAR framework. in a courtroom full of journalists,” Tamalet notes. Without even considering the potential sentence, Russian Satellite Communications Company Source: U.S. Justice Department, UK Serious Fraud Of ce and French Parquet National Financier just the sheer impact on Airbus’ image would cause more damage than the agreed €3.6 billion penalty. concern, as voiced in a 2019 parliamentary report, is that a sports team owned by AirAsia executives. The Malaysian The law firms advising Airbus in the bargaining the U.S. has used such sentences to sap foreign companies’ Anti-Corruption Commission says it is in touch with UK au- process issued press releases to highlight their strength and clear the way for their U.S. competitors. thorities and investigating the matter. AirAsia co-founders roles—they would One goal in establishing the PNF and an anti-corruption Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, executive chairman, and Tony Aircraft sales agreed to in not have done so agency in recentAustria years was toGhana convince theIndonesia U.S. that FranceVietnam Fernandes, executive director, have relinquished their ex- 2014 by AirAsia Executive if the result would has a strong policy against bribery. And the Airbus case is ecutive roles “with immediate e ect for a period of two Director Tony Fernandes (left) have been seen as a signal to the U.S. that it does not have to sue French com- months . . . to facilitate a full and independent investigation and then-Airbus Commercial negative for the panies because France is watching them, Tamalet notes. In by AirAsia. ,” the two said in a statement. President Fabrice Bregier airframer. any case, the PNF, SFO and Justice Department have closely Both protest that the investigation by the SFO “did not (right) were marred by Why would the cooperated, he adds. even once reach out” to them, nor AirAsia, for any expla- PNF or another The next step for EU countries may be to give the Euro- nation or clarifi cation. “We welcome any investigation,” corruption, according to administration pean Commission the power to enforce anti-corruption rules they add. the UK Serious Fraud Office. choose negotiation globally, just as it does with competition rules. The SFO establishes a clear and direct link between Airbus instead of proceeding with a prosecution? “When In both air transport and military aviation, the end of aircraft sales and inappropriate sponsorship of the sports prosecutors are sure about the case, their interest Airbus’ judicial woes may mark the beginning of trouble for team. Between October 2013 and January 2015, Airbus “paid is not to offer a negotiation; but if they know some certain customers. $50 million as sponsorship. . . . The sports team was jointly legal elements might cause them to fail in court, they The government of Ghana has been drawn into the contro- owned by AirAsia Executive 1 and AirAsia Executive 2 but P.H. DELMUR /AIRBUS look for a trade-off,” says Tamalet. versy, after it emerged that payments were made to secure was legally unrelated to AirAsia and AirAsia X.” The pay- For France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF), the agree- The penalty should be described as a civil penalty, not a the sale of C295 turboprop airlifters to the African republic’s ments were intended to secure or reward improper favor by ment is a way to establish itself as an international counter- fine resulting from a conviction, says Tamalet. military. SFO documents reveal that Airbus paid about €5 the unnamed executives regarding the order of 180 aircraft corruption authority. The amounts the Justice Department, PNF and SFO decid- million to an intermediary—said to be a close relative of a from Airbus, according to the SFO. Meanwhile, some carriers whose employees were involved ed on are based on both clear rules and subjective interpre- high-ranking Ghanaian government o cial—to secure the In the SFO’s statement of facts, the contracts subject to the in bribery may face undesired consequences. tation. They factor in the gravity of the wrongdoing (such as order in 2011 and a follow-up order in 2015. According to the “agreed wrongdoing” are dated December 2012-November Under the final settlement agreements, Airbus will pay bribery of public officials), that the involved executives have SFO, “false documentation was created by or with the agree- 2014. The last one is for 55 A330- 900neos, essentially con- PNF €2.083 billion, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) €984 left and Airbus’ cooperative attitude. The company reported ment of Airbus employees in order to support and disguise fi rming a memorandum of understanding signed at the 2014 million, the U.S. Justice Department €526 million and the itself in 2016, and the acts are understood to have happened these payments.” They were intended “to induce or reward Farnborough A irshow a few months earlier. State Department €9 million. These amounts and promised between 2008 and 2015. improper favor.” The related payments to the sports team were made be- compliance programs resolve “the authorities’ investigations To put the amounts in perspective, Airbus reported reve- Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has tween October 2013 and January 2015 . They “were intended into allegations of bribery and corruption,” as well as investi- nues of €64 billion for 2018, as well as earnings before interest called for a probe into the involvement of Ghanaian govern- by Airbus employees to infl uence AirAsia Executive 1 and gations into “inaccurate and misleading filings made with the and taxes of €5 billion and free cash flow (before mergers and ment o cials. AirAsia Executive 2 to act improperly,” the statement of facts [State Department] pursuant to the U.S. International Traffic acquisitions and customer financing) of €2.9 billion. In Colombia, Avianca announced an internal investigation says. The SFO substantiates its conclusion with numerous in Arms Regulations,” says Airbus. The fact the PNF is imposing such a heavy penalty may into “its relationship with Airbus and whether it has been the emails, such as one from Airbus mentioning a clause that “for Strong statements were issued about the gravity of the be a message to its U.S. counterpart. In recent years, French victim of wrongdoing.” obvious reasons will not refer to aircraft orders.” c facts behind the case. “The number of countries subject to governments and the country’s media have expressed unease In Malaysia, AirAsia refutes allegations that some aircraft intense criminal investigation by the various agencies and the about U.S. sanctions against French companies. The main orders were improperly linked to sponsorship by Airbus of —With Tony Osborne in London

34 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 3 INTERVIEW Why AAR’s Chief Sees Lots of Runway

Labor shortages, the MAX crisis, technological enablers and lucrative opportunities: John Holmes (right), the president and CEO of aircraft maintenance powerhouse AAR Corp., talked about all that and more with Aviation Week & Space Technology Editor-In-Chief Joe Anselmo and Chief Editor, MRO Lee Ann Shay at the company’s headquarters outside Chicago.

AW&ST: AAR’s annual sales are support changes to their mainte- programs you have an eye on? approaching $2.2 billion, and yet a nance schedules. The impact on the We’re certainly aware of what’s lot of people still don’t know much aftermarket parts-supply business happening there. Given what’s going about your company. We’re the is neutral to slightly positive, but on with the MAX, I thought if there largest MRO in North America, but over the long term it will be positive were ever a time where [Comac] AAR for a long time was a di cult because it’s going to extend that might see some traction, it would company to understand because [demand] for at least a couple more be now. But, obviously, we haven’t we did a lot of di erent things. We years. There’s so much demand for seen that. Our time is being spent on had manufacturing, cargo and, for a those parts that once 737NGs and current-generation platforms, where little while, an airline where we were A320s start to retire, it’s going to be we’ve got so much opportunity. owning and ﬂ ying aircraft. And then good for guys like us because we will we were selling new and used parts actually have some [parts] we’ve had How serious is the shortage of and making repairs. demand for. maintenance technicians? I spent The team and I have been re- Further out on the curve, the re- my ﬁ rst year as CEO dealing with ally focused the last 4-5 years on tirements will outstrip demand, but that. I don’t think the seasonality in simplifying that story. We do three at that point, the MAX will start to the business was well understood, things: sell parts, new and used; re- break open and mature, and you’ll particularly in the investment pair aircraft and aircraft parts; and have a whole other revenue stream. community. We would go from an provide programs by putting those But certainly the MAX grounding average of 55 aircraft in work to the two things together under long-term has shifted that curve out to the low-30s during the summer [the contracts for an integrated solution right. I had the chief operating airlines’ busy season]. And then in for commercial and government o cer of a well-known MAX oper- September, you’d go out and say, customers. It’s good to be able to say ator in here this morning, and they “Okay, let’s get everybody back. that in 20 sec. were like: “Yeah, we’re canceled We’re busy again.” through the end of June, and we’re In September 2018, we went out, How has the Boeing 737 MAX crisis not counting on having that aircraft and the people weren’t there. We a ected the MRO industry? We back this summer.” This is taking a would have a contract labor provider service Southwest Airlines, Air long time. say, “We’ll have 100 guys show up Canada and United Airlines—all of at your facility on Monday,” and we whom are MAX customers—and What about Comac’s C919 and would get seven. And the people we we’ve had to work with them to beyond that, the 929? Are those were getting weren’t as experienced.

3 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST INTERVIEW Why AAR’s Chief Sees Lots of Runway

Labor shortages, the MAX crisis, technological The fi rst step is aircraft inspection, “We’re doing a lot of really difficult enablers and lucrative looking over the skin to see if there things here. Is there a reason there opportunities: John Holmes are any indentations. And then it’s needs to be someone in between us going into more detail on inspec- and the customer?” (right), the president and CEO tions. Could you have a drone that Since then, we’ve won several of aircraft maintenance could use a sensor to test whether billion dollars’ worth of prime con- or not I put a screw in properly? We tracts. The INL Global Aviation Sup- powerhouse AAR Corp., talked will have to do this in close coordina- port Services contract with the U.S. about all that and more with tion with the FAA, because we want State Department and the [Naval Air to make sure that all the repairs Systems Command] C-40 and P-8A Aviation Week & Space are conforming to their standards. maintenance contracts are big ones. Technology Editor-In-Chief We also want to make sure a drone We also sell used material to the U.S. doesn’t escape a hangar and fl y out government. We’ve said for a long time Joe Anselmo and Chief Editor, onto an airfi eld. that if the Air Force bought parts like MRO Lee Ann Shay at the Delta [Air Lines] does, it would save You’re also using augmented a lot of money. company’s headquarters reality. There are big, expensive outside Chicago. ways to do it, where I’m wearing The C-40 was an interesting win. glasses and looking at the plane, We’re really proud of that award and things are turning red and because it demonstrates the power green and telling me what to do. Or of the aftermarket. Two Boeing 737- you can have an experienced me- 700s will be converted into C-40 air- chanic looking over the shoulder of craft. The original solicitation from six less-experienced mechanics and the Navy was only for new aircraft. seeing what they’re seeing on their And we had to work over a long screens and literally giving over- period of time to get that changed AAR RP. the-shoulder guidance as somebody to also allow for used aircraft. It’s a AW&ST: AAR’s annual sales are support changes to their mainte- programs you have an eye on? We had to lower our fi nancial guid- is performing a task. That’s much great solution: You get two aircraft; approaching $2.2 billion, and yet a nance schedules. The impact on the We’re certainly aware of what’s ance, and our stock went from $48 a less of an investment and allows us we put new engines on them and do lot of people still don’t know much aftermarket parts-supply business happening there. Given what’s going share all the way down to $29. to leverage a person with 20 years all the engineering work to convert about your company. We’re the is neutral to slightly positive, but on with the MAX, I thought if there [Since then] we have very ag- of experience to help a person with them from passenger to a combina- largest MRO in North America, but over the long term it will be positive were ever a time where [Comac] gressively enhanced our recruiting fi ve years of experience. tion of passenger and freighter. We AAR for a long time was a di cult because it’s going to extend that might see some traction, it would e orts, raised wages where we put it all together in our facility in company to understand because [demand] for at least a couple more be now. But, obviously, we haven’t needed to and changed agreements Defense accounts for about one- Rockford [Illinois]. There’s nobody we did a lot of di erent things. We years. There’s so much demand for seen that. Our time is being spent on with certain customers so we could third of your business. After the else in the world that could have had manufacturing, cargo and, for a those parts that once 737NGs and current-generation platforms, where a ord to keep a workforce together. 9/11 attacks [in 2001], our defense done all of that work in-house the little while, an airline where we were A320s start to retire, it’s going to be we’ve got so much opportunity. We’ve announced seven di erent business really took o . And for a way we did. owning and fl ying aircraft. And then good for guys like us because we will EAGLE (ethics, airworthiness, period of time we were majority We estimate the government is we were selling new and used parts actually have some [parts] we’ve had How serious is the shortage of greatness, leadership, engagement) defense. But we like balance, and going to save $60 million, and they’re and making repairs. demand for. maintenance technicians? I spent Career Pathway partnerships. We ideally over time we will have about going to get the aircraft a year soon- The team and I have been re- Further out on the curve, the re- my fi rst year as CEO dealing with also started a school in Chicago with a 50/50 balance between govern- er than they would have had they ally focused the last 4-5 years on tirements will outstrip demand, but that. I don’t think the seasonality in Olive-Harvey College [to train stu- ment and commercial customers. bought two new aircraft. simplifying that story. We do three at that point, the MAX will start to the business was well understood, dents in aviation sheet-metalwork- That government business has things: sell parts, new and used; re- break open and mature, and you’ll particularly in the investment ing]. We wrote the curriculum, found changed a lot. AAR announced a joint venture pair aircraft and aircraft parts; and have a whole other revenue stream. community. We would go from an the instructor, donated tooling and with Indamer to open an MRO provide programs by putting those But certainly the MAX grounding average of 55 aircraft in work to the equipment and have been recruiting How so? Before 9/11, we were facility in Nagpur, India, in 2019. two things together under long-term has shifted that curve out to the low-30s during the summer [the the students. All of that is giving us manufacturing pallets, shelters and What’s the status? India considers contracts for an integrated solution right. I had the chief operating airlines’ busy season]. And then in a proprietary workforce. And it’s containers. We still do that, but the it to be a work in process. It’s our for commercial and government o cer of a well-known MAX oper- September, you’d go out and say, working. government business we do today first time doing anything like this customers. It’s good to be able to say ator in here this morning, and they “Okay, let’s get everybody back. Another thing is that our custom- is much longer-term, sophisticated in India, so we’ve learned along the that in 20 sec. were like: “Yeah, we’re canceled We’re busy again.” ers kept a lot more aircraft in our supply chain management contracts way. Things have taken longer than through the end of June, and we’re In September 2018, we went out, hangars [in 2019], unlike [in] prior where we’re the prime contractor. our initial expectations, but the How has the Boeing 737 MAX crisis not counting on having that aircraft and the people weren’t there. We years, so that we could hold the work- We made a strategic decision about long-term market opportunity re- a ected the MRO industry? We back this summer.” This is taking a would have a contract labor provider force together during the summer. fi ve years ago to migrate from being a mains compelling. The Asia-Pacific service Southwest Airlines, Air long time. say, “We’ll have 100 guys show up subcontractor to a prime contractor region in general is a focus for us. Canada and United Airlines—all of at your facility on Monday,” and we AAR has begun using automated to the government. We were doing We’re seeing good growth in Japan, whom are MAX customers—and What about Comac’s C919 and would get seven. And the people we drone technology for maintenance complicated work for Northrop Grum- and we continue to drive business we’ve had to work with them to beyond that, the 929? Are those were getting weren’t as experienced. in Miami. How is that progressing? man on the KC-10. And we thought, in the Middle East. We’ve also had

3 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 3 INTERVIEW a fair amount of success in Australia AAR RP. and New Zealand.

How is the focus on sustainability a ecting how you do business? It’s a ecting everything we do. We have a number of facilities that have reduced their waste by 70-80% and facilities that have reduced their electrical consumption by 30-40%.

Where do you see the company in ve years? We’ve got a long-term organic growth target of 5-10% annually. The last two years we’ve been growing in the teens. Half of that is from commercial growth, and the other half is largely due to government contract wins. The State Department contract, for example, is $200 million a year for 11 years. And Watch an inspection drone there are more out there of that size. in action at AAR’s Miami facility: They don’t happen every day, and they take a long time to secure, but when you get them, you’re on them for a long time. talked about the desire to bring buy has to be connected with the more intellectual property to the businesses that we’re in. If we find Are you looking for acquisitions? company. Certainly, anything that a business that fits those criteria We definitely are, and we have a lot would expand our geography would and the math makes sense, we’re of balance-sheet capacity. We’ve be interesting. But anything we prepared to move. c

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3 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST FEBRUARY 2020 INTERVIEW a fair amount of success in Australia AAR RP. and New Zealand.

CABIN INTERIOR CONCEPTS ● What Now ● Take for A380 ● a Seat Engines? Building Blockchain

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MRO 4 NEWS BRIEFS & CONTRACTS MAINTENANCE CHECK

SAFETY & REGULATORY MRO 5 Engine Issue Spotlights Data Coronavirus Analytics’ Value MRO 5 EASA Issues Updated Safety Plan Impact on MRO MRO 6 Pitch-Trim Incident Uncovers E-Jet Airworthiness Issues irlines around the world have suspended opera- MRO 7 ARSA Update “It would be wise to tions to parts or all of A expect a slowdown in AIRLINE INSIGHT China to try to limit the spread of MRO 8 Viva Air MRO operations for a Nicolas Takahashi, director of the novel coronavirus outbreak, engineering and maintenance, which the World Health Orga- few months.” on the Colombian LCC’s nization (WHO) has declared expansion plans and tech investments a “public health emergency of given the temporary travel restric- international concern” because tions and flight cancellations, but he REGIONAL FOCUS of its spread to 18 countries out- says when things clear, there could be MRO 10 Middle East Expansion “a new ‘peak travel’ season” as people The entire region must side of China as of Jan. 31. resume travel. “This phase could defer prepare for a fleet surge Demand for travel within China maintenance plans or component re- naturally has decreased significantly. movals,” so “it would be wise to expect INTERIORS Aviation Week’s Beijing Bureau Chief a slowdown in MRO operations for a MRO 12 Interior Insights Bradley Perrett reports: “The coun- few months once the aviation activity Changing airline dynamics try’s airlines eliminated 11,007 flights, or and travel resumes,” he notes. are defining aircraft cabin 40% of their original schedules of 27,630 Unlike Severe Acute Respiratory modifications flights, in the 24 hr. to the morning of Syndrome (SARS), which lasted about Feb. 4, according to local consultancy six months in 2003, this outbreak is OPERATIONS Veriflight.” predicted to have a bigger impact on MRO 16 Going the Distance How far will airlines travel While “the vast majority of cases the global economy because China for MRO? outside China have a travel history to produces more advanced, higher-tech Wuhan or contact with someone with products now, its economic might is TECHNOLOGY a travel history to Wuhan,” WHO says, stronger, and global supply chains and MRO 18 The Infant Blockchain the Chinese government extended the businesses are more connected. Why you should consider Lunar New Year from Jan. 30 to at SARS caused air traffic to decline using blockchain in MRO least Feb. 2, and dozens of provinces markedly for three months, which took have lengthened it further to limit the a toll on the aftermarket for about six ENGINEERED virus’ spread. months, said Gregory Hayes, United MRO 22 Casting About for Change For instance, Guandong Province, Technologies chairman, CEO and Aerospace customers know in which MTU Maintenance Zhuhai is president, during the company’s Jan. 28 little about casting giants— based, issued a directive for companies fourth-quarter earnings call. He noted except their rising prices to remain closed until Feb. 9. “In the that airlines are healthier now than in meantime, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai 2003, but he predicted “there will be a ENGINE ANALYSIS will operate with a small team to deliver blip in Asia this quarter” as a result of MRO 24 Trent 900’s Future the most urgent engines and support the epidemic. Trent-powered A380s will generate steady MRO customers in aircraft-on-ground and 0 “While we expect there will be some demand spare situations. We expect the site to impact to the commercial aftermarket, resume full operations on Feb. 10,” says we don’t expect it to be significant,” MRO LINKS a company spokeswoman. Hayes said, adding: “We saw a 20% MRO 26 Apps for the Aftermarket Haeco Composite Structures in Jin- drop in the aftermarket [for two quar- New and updated apps to jiang, Fujian Province, which extended ters in 2003]. I don’t expect it’s going to help simplify MRO tasks the lunar holiday through Feb. 9, also be that bad this time.” has very limited activity due to the re- Let’s hope he’s right. c VIEWPOINT striction. Sunny Mirchandani, director —Lee Ann Shay MRO 28 Craig Gottlieb and general manager, points out that Applying AI to customer scheduled maintenance work around Keep up with Shay at service the lunar holidays usually drops off. MRO-Network.com COVER: STEVE CASH PHOTOGRAPHY How work will ramp up is still unclear, and on Twitter @AvWeekLeeAnn

AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 MRO3 M News Briefs

Highlights Contracts Acia Aero Capital of the UK took over EASA Issues Trent 1000 De-Pair Mandate full ownership of Switzerland’s IPR Con- A new mandate to de-pair high-time Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s related to un- versions and IPR Leasing; it completed explained engine compressor surge issues is not expected to lead to more large cargo-door (LCD) conversion of an Boeing 787 groundings, the engine manufacturer said. ex-Alitalia ATR 72-212 (467) under a plan The latest issue causes “engine surges on certain Trent 1000 engines, particularly those that have accumulated a high number of flight hours (FH) to convert five ATRs in 2020. and engine flight cycles (EFC),” the European Union Aviation Safety Agency Aeronautical Engineers won a contract (EASA) explained in a Jan. 24 airworthiness directive (AD). The AD, based on from Airwork of New Zealand to convert a Rolls-Royce service bulletin issued in December 2019, requires 787 operators to ensure aircraft do not have pairs of engines with high numbers of both a 12th 737-400 (28702; ex-Blue Air) to a flight hours and EFCs. EASA’s directive applies only to European operators freighter starting in February. All modifica- but is expected to be mandated globally. tion touch labor and maintenance will be The de-pairing limits vary. Engines with at least 24,000 FH or 8,000 EFC performed by Commercial Jet in Miami. must be paired with engines with no more than 17,000 FH and 5,500 EFC. Engines that have hit both upper-end thresholds can be operated with those Avair of Arizona was selected by Whip- that are below both the 24,000 FH and 8,000 EFC marks. pany Actuation Systems of New Jersey EASA’s directive gives affected operators through Feb. 28 to de-pair the to exclusively facilitate aftermarket parts engines. sales to its airline and MRO customers. The deal includes sale of overhaul and shop- ATS Launches Narrowbody Teardown Business visit materials, a joint exchange pool and Aviation Technical Services’ (ATS) announced it has purchased a Boeing 767- special rate discounting. 3G5ER for teardown to increase the inventory of available parts at its Ranger Air Dallas/Fort Worth component sales and inventory management facility. It Broward Aviation Services of Florida signals a new business for the busy MRO and provides some hope that more acquired ex-AtlasGlobal A319-100 (1124) plentiful and affordable supplies of used parts are at least on the horizon. for part-out in Wales. “Our ATS teardown strategy is designed with our customers’ needs in the forefront,” says Christopher Olds, ATS vice president for asset acquisitions CFM International won a $1.3 billion and trading. “The core platforms we are targeting are Boeing 737NGs and Jazeera Airways contract to maintain its the Airbus A320 family of aircraft.” Leap 1As (for 20 A320neos) on a rate-per- ATS component repair sites in Dallas/Fort Worth and Seattle also benefit flight-hour basis. from 757, 767 and 777 component support programs. “Future growth platforms may include additional widebodies as well as regional aircraft as our RPI UK secured a Delta TechOps order business continues to evolve,” Olds adds. for two integrated rotor measurement and Conservatively, ATS is targeting the acquisition of six aircraft in 2020, most assembly platforms and module tooling likely a combination of entire aircraft, airframes and/or engines. In 2021, the sets for Trent maintenance. goal is to double this to 12 assets. ST Engineering booked S$1.1 billion MRO Holdings in Expansion Mode ($806 million) in new contracts in the fourth quarter of 2019 versus S$450 million in the MRO Holdings intends to purchase Aviation Exteriors Louisiana (AvEx) to fourth quarter of 2018. expand its paint operations to 10 dedicated lines in 2020. The companies did not release the acquisition price. TDA of the Netherlands acquired two ex- AvEx paints commercial, corporate and military aircraft in three hangars British Airways A319-100s (1445/1604) for with 119,100 ft.2 in New Iberia, Louisiana. Those hangars provide four total lines part-out. of paint. Founded in 1990 as Pride Aviation, the business has grown steadily and lists several major U.S. carriers as customers. “The core of the AvEx business Willis Lease Finance of California en- is rock solid,” says Greg Colgan, MRO Holdings CEO. tered into a Constant Access agreement MRO Holdings, which operates three heavy maintenance facilities—Aeroman with SAS to guarantee availability of in El Salvador; Flightstar in Jacksonville, Florida; and TechOps MX in Quere- taro, Mexico—is seeking additional paint capabilities. “AvEx accelerates that CFM56-5Cs to cover airlines’ spare engine path and meets the internal demand we currently have and can’t satisfy,” he says. requirements (from planned/unplanned re- MRO Holdings also submitted a proposal to acquire Mexicana MRO for an movals) for its eight A340-300s over the undisclosed sum. “This is not just a marketing play. . . . We did our homework,” next three years. Colgan says. Airframe MRO capacity is tight in Latin America, and MRO Holdings still has more demand than it can handle. c Contract Source: SpeedNews

MRO4 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO M News Briefs M Safety & Regulatory

Highlights Contracts beyond what was in the FAA direc- Engine Issue Spotlights tives. But the specificity of each man- EASA Issues Trent 1000 De-Pair Mandate Acia Aero Capital of the UK took over date points to GE using its vast vault full ownership of Switzerland’s IPR Con- Data Analytics’ Value of engine data to analyze the issue and A new mandate to de-pair high-time Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s related to un- versions and IPR Leasing; it completed identify common trends between the explained engine compressor surge issues is not expected to lead to more large cargo-door (LCD) conversion of an Using deep data dives to flag reliability rejected the takeoff while still at low failed engine and others in the fleet. Boeing 787 groundings, the engine manufacturer said. issues is a promising tool for predic- speed. Debris from the damaged en- GE used a similar approach to target ex-Alitalia ATR 72-212 (467) under a plan The latest issue causes “engine surges on certain Trent 1000 engines, par- tive analytics, but the ongoing probe gine impacted the 777’s fuselage and CFM Leap 1Bs for inspections following ticularly those that have accumulated a high number of flight hours (FH) to convert five ATRs in 2020. into a GE90 engine failure shows how other engine. a March 2019 failure of a Southwest Air- and engine flight cycles (EFC),” the European Union Aviation Safety Agency Aeronautical Engineers won a contract precise analysis can help isolate en- Soon after the incident, GE targeted lines 737 MAX being ferried from Or- (EASA) explained in a Jan. 24 airworthiness directive (AD). The AD, based on gines for checks stemming from air- eight engines operated by five airlines lando, Florida, to Victorville, California. from Airwork of New Zealand to convert a Rolls-Royce service bulletin issued in December 2019, requires 787 opera- worthiness issues. for HPT interstage seal checks, which GE quickly linked the failure to cok- tors to ensure aircraft do not have pairs of engines with high numbers of both a 12th 737-400 (28702; ex-Blue Air) to a ing—deposits of evaporated fuel and flight hours and EFCs. EASA’s directive applies only to European operators freighter starting in February. All modifica- other material on fuel nozzles that but is expected to be mandated globally. tion touch labor and maintenance will be lead to uneven temperature flow re- The de-pairing limits vary. Engines with at least 24,000 FH or 8,000 EFC performed by Commercial Jet in Miami. gions within the combustion chamber must be paired with engines with no more than 17,000 FH and 5,500 EFC. and hot spots within the high-pressure Engines that have hit both upper-end thresholds can be operated with those Avair of Arizona was selected by Whip- JOEPREISAVIATION.NET turbine. These hot spots can cause that are below both the 24,000 FH and 8,000 EFC marks. pany Actuation Systems of New Jersey premature wear. Within hours of the EASA’s directive gives affected operators through Feb. 28 to de-pair the to exclusively facilitate aftermarket parts failure, the company analyzed the en- engines. gine’s operating history and compared sales to its airline and MRO customers. The it against data from each of the other ATS Launches Narrowbody Teardown Business deal includes sale of overhaul and shop- 1,560 Leaps in service. visit materials, a joint exchange pool and Aware of coking, a common issue Aviation Technical Services’ (ATS) announced it has purchased a Boeing 767- special rate discounting. with gas turbine engines, the manufac- 3G5ER for teardown to increase the inventory of available parts at its Ranger turer had rotable pools of fuel nozzles Air Dallas/Fort Worth component sales and inventory management facility. It Broward Aviation Services of Florida ready for use at certain thresholds. signals a new business for the busy MRO and provides some hope that more acquired ex-AtlasGlobal A319-100 (1124) Following the Southwest failure, GE plentiful and affordable supplies of used parts are at least on the horizon. for part-out in Wales. revised its analytics and reduced those A Thai Airways GE90 failure opened the door for GE Aviation to leverage its data “Our ATS teardown strategy is designed with our customers’ needs in the thresholds. Engines exceeding the re- analytics to identify risk factors. forefront,” says Christopher Olds, ATS vice president for asset acquisitions CFM International won a $1.3 billion vised limits were recommended for and trading. “The core platforms we are targeting are Boeing 737NGs and Jazeera Airways contract to maintain its The FAA on Jan. 17 issued an emer- the regulator mandated in October. The inspections. the Airbus A320 family of aircraft.” Leap 1As (for 20 A320neos) on a rate-per- gency airworthiness directive (EAD) January action narrowed the risk popu- The GE examples underscore how ATS component repair sites in Dallas/Fort Worth and Seattle also benefit flight-hour basis. calling for removal of high-pressure lation to two airlines and eight aircraft the combination of quality data and from 757, 767 and 777 component support programs. “Future growth plat- turbine (HPT) interstage seals from that operated similar mission profiles. experts who can generate actionable forms may include additional widebodies as well as regional aircraft as our RPI UK secured a Delta TechOps order 16 GE90-115Bs identified by serial A source with knowledge of the situa- insights from them is proving valu- business continues to evolve,” Olds adds. for two integrated rotor measurement and number. The EAD and a related GE tion tells Inside MRO the common links able. Operators are spared unneces- Conservatively, ATS is targeting the acquisition of six aircraft in 2020, most assembly platforms and module tooling service bulletin issued days earlier in these incidents included operating sary work that broader fleet mandates likely a combination of entire aircraft, airframes and/or engines. In 2021, the sets for Trent maintenance. stem from the ongoing probe into the shorter routes, using shorter runways would require, and the manufacturers goal is to double this to 12 assets. October 2019 failure of a GE Aviation and turning the aircraft more quickly and regulators can more quickly pin- ST Engineering booked S$1.1 billion GE90-115B on a Thai Airways Boeing than a typical 777 long-haul mission. point airworthiness issues while get- MRO Holdings in Expansion Mode ($806 million) in new contracts in the fourth 777-300ER. The flight was departing GE Aviation, citing the ongoing in- ting clear pictures of their scope. c quarter of 2019 versus S$450 million in the Bangkok for Zurich when the crew vestigation, declined to provide details —Sean Broderick MRO Holdings intends to purchase Aviation Exteriors Louisiana (AvEx) to fourth quarter of 2018. expand its paint operations to 10 dedicated lines in 2020. The companies did not release the acquisition price. TDA of the Netherlands acquired two ex- AvEx paints commercial, corporate and military aircraft in three hangars British Airways A319-100s (1445/1604) for with region-specific data to ensure the alignment. The most with 119,100 ft.2 in New Iberia, Louisiana. Those hangars provide four total lines EASA Issues recent version of GASP, covering 2020-22, identifies five part-out. of paint. Founded in 1990 as Pride Aviation, the business has grown steadily and high-risk accident categories as targets for improvement: lists several major U.S. carriers as customers. “The core of the AvEx business Willis Lease Finance of California en- Updated Safety Plan controlled flight into terrain, loss of control in flight, midair is rock solid,” says Greg Colgan, MRO Holdings CEO. tered into a Constant Access agreement collision, runway excursion and runway incursion. MRO Holdings, which operates three heavy maintenance facilities—Aeroman The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has Among the document’s features is a broad overview with SAS to guarantee availability of in El Salvador; Flightstar in Jacksonville, Florida; and TechOps MX in Quere- issued its ninth European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS), of all rulemaking activities, including status updates. taro, Mexico—is seeking additional paint capabilities. “AvEx accelerates that CFM56-5Cs to cover airlines’ spare engine the de facto annual regional safety blueprint for member The report lists 12 MRO-related rulemakings, including path and meets the internal demand we currently have and can’t satisfy,” he says. requirements (from planned/unplanned re- states that identifies the primary safety risks and sets out changes to instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) MRO Holdings also submitted a proposal to acquire Mexicana MRO for an movals) for its eight A340-300s over the mitigation strategies. and parts-marking rules that are on track for a late-2021 undisclosed sum. “This is not just a marketing play. . . . We did our homework,” next three years. EPAS aligns its big-picture strategy with the Interna- introduction. Colgan says. Airframe MRO capacity is tight in Latin America, and MRO tional Civil Aviation Organization’s Global Aviation Safety Several rulemakings listed in other categories have air- Holdings still has more demand than it can handle. c Contract Source: SpeedNews Plan (GASP), comparing global risks highlighted in GASP worthiness links, including a proposed rulemaking on tire

MRO4 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 MRO5 M Safety & Regulatory inflation-pressure monitoring listed in both operations SEAN BRODERICK/AW&ST and design/production categories. “The rulemaking proposal should consider better enforcing the operator’s responsibility to ensure regular tire-pressure checks, and also the aircraft manufacturer’s obligation to define the tire-pressure check procedures and intervals in the” ICA, EASA says. “Since a tire-pressure check legal obligation would not always guarantee that the tires are correctly inflated, the rulemaking proposal should also include the installation of a tire-pressure monitoring system which will EASA plans to alert the pilots when a tire pressure is abnormal or out mandate tire-pressure of tolerance.” monitoring systems. The rulemaking tasks have been upgraded to “ongoing” from “deprioritized,” the report notes. EASA projects having a proposed rule out by April and a final rule in place by the end of 2022. c —Sean Broderick

switches from being installed back- Pitch-Trim Incident Uncovers ward. The SBs covered the entire E-Jet and E2 family, as well as the E-Jet Airworthiness Issues Lineage 1000 business jets. Neither ANAC nor the FAA mandated the SBs, Chafed flight control system wires and pitch-trim switch and autopilot/trim however, and the aircraft involved in an incorrectly installed cockpit switch disconnect button. The chafing was the Republic incident did not have the with a service bulletin against it but linked to an untucked safety-wire end modification. that regulators have not mandated near a safety bolt. “Although it is currently unknown if have raised the NTSB’s concern and “The maintenance procedures in the an inverted pitch-trim installation was triggered recommendations that ap- EMB-175 airplane maintenance manu- a factor in this incident, the NTSB is ply to Embraer E-Jets. al (AMM) for adjusting the mechani- concerned that an inverted switch The recommendations, made to cal stop bolt do not currently draw any installation resulting in pitch-trim op- Brazil’s ANAC and the FAA, stem from specific attention to this critical area,” eration opposite to that expected by an ongoing investigation into a Novem- the NTSB said in its recommendation a flight crew could lead to confusion, ber 2019 incident aboard a Republic letter. Concerned that other aircraft delaying appropriate recognition and Airways Embraer 175. The crew de- could be at risk, the NTSB reached out response to increased control forces,” parted Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson In- and urged operators to voluntarily in- the board said. It recommended ANAC ternational Airport (ATL) en route to spect their E-Jets. Republic found nine and the FAA mandate the bulletins. New York LaGuardia Airport and ex- aircraft with chafed wiring, and other The NTSB also expressed concern perienced an excessive uncommanded unidentified operators found more about the runaway trim emergency pitch-up 4 min. into the flight. The cap- examples, the NTSB said. scenario. Embraer’s memory-item tain immediately diagnosed the issue It is not clear if the chafed wiring list for runaway trim recommends as a runaway horizontal stabilizer and contributed to the incident. But the both cutout switches be used, but executed Republic’s single-item quick NTSB is concerned that other E- Republic’s version only mentions reference handbook (QRH) memory Jets are at risk and has urged Brazil’s “Pitch Trim System 1,” or the left- checklist by pushing and holding the ANAC and the FAA to order Embraer side switch. Embraer’s QRH does left-side pitch trim disconnect switch. to address the issue with inspections not tell pilots to retrim the aircraft; The captain then asked the first officer and updated AMM instructions. the Republic crew relied on their un- to push and hold the right-side switch. The NTSB also discovered that the derstanding of the system and use of Fight data recorder data later verified left-side pitch-trim cutout switch was the electric trim switches to adjust that the switches had no effect. The installed “in an inverted position,” the the horizontal stabilizer and bring crew regained control of the airplane letter said. Embraer became aware the nose down. Other crews may not using electric trim inputs and made an of the issue in 2015 after flight crews have as much knowledge, the board emergency landing back at ATL. reported similar pitch-trim malfunc- said. The NTSB recommended ANAC Investigators discovered chafed tions that were traced to incorrectly examine the E-Jets checklists and en- insulation around the wires connect- installed switches and issued service sure they “adequately address all po- ing the horizontal stabilizer actuator bulletins (SB) that recommended in- tential trim system failures.” c control electronics to the captain’s stallation of a support to prevent the —Sean Broderick

MRO6 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO M Safety & Regulatory M Safety & Regulatory inflation-pressure monitoring listed in both operations SEAN BRODERICK/AW&ST and design/production categories. “The rulemaking proposal should consider better ARSA UPDATE enforcing the operator’s responsibility to ensure regular tire-pressure checks, and also the aircraft manufacturer’s obligation to define the tire-pressure check Better Correct Than Current procedures and intervals in the” ICA, EASA says. “Since a tire-pressure check legal obligation would not IN NOVEMBER 2018, ARSA RELEASED A “TOOLKIT” for manufacturer] revised their [repair] manual and removed always guarantee that the tires are correctly inflated, maintenance providers seeking exemption from 14 CFR schematics and parts lists of older manufactured circuit the rulemaking proposal should also include the instal- §145.109(d) in an effort to level the playing field for its boards. However, there are still aircraft flying today . . . that lation of a tire-pressure monitoring system which will EASA plans to members, particularly small-to-medium-size businesses, have these older-version circuit boards in them. The only alert the pilots when a tire pressure is abnormal or out mandate tire-pressure which make up the majority of repair stations. way a repair station can support these units is to reference of tolerance.” monitoring systems. The playing field is muddy, messy and hilly for all repair the older (noncurrent) manual.” The rulemaking tasks have been upgraded to “ongoing” from “deprioritized,” the report notes. EASA proj- stations—small, medium, large and superlarge. First, the FAA Unfortunately, §145.109(d) requires repair stations to main- ects having a proposed rule out by April and a final rule does not enforce the requirement for design approval hold- tain libraries of “current” data, even when not required . . . and in place by the end of 2022. c ers (e.g., manufacturers) to create and make maintenance even when it may be wrong for the work to be performed! —Sean Broderick data available (§21.50(b)) but doesn’t have any issues with The cost to industry, to owners and operators of aircraft, and to the flying public that ultimately pays all the bills, is very high. A small business with average annual revenue of $2,500,000 reports being quoted $731,251 per year Pitch-Trim Incident Uncovers switches from being installed back- to maintain the currency of its library, which, according to ward. The SBs covered the entire simple math, represents more than 29% of the company’s E-Jet and E2 family, as well as the average annual revenue. E-Jet Airworthiness Issues Lineage 1000 business jets. Neither The exemption effort gave small business a mechanism ANAC nor the FAA mandated the SBs, Chafed flight control system wires and pitch-trim switch and autopilot/trim however, and the aircraft involved in to demonstrate this pointless waste to the agency and seek an incorrectly installed cockpit switch disconnect button. The chafing was the Republic incident did not have the relief. Unfortunately, the agency closed that door; its re- with a service bulletin against it but linked to an untucked safety-wire end modification. sponses to petitioners stated: “There are no unique factors that regulators have not mandated near a safety bolt. “Although it is currently unknown if that would limit applicability of the exemption to the peti- have raised the NTSB’s concern and “The maintenance procedures in the an inverted pitch-trim installation was tioner. . . . The more appropriate vehicle for the petitioner’s triggered recommendations that ap- EMB-175 airplane maintenance manu- a factor in this incident, the NTSB is request is with a petition for rulemaking.” ply to Embraer E-Jets. al (AMM) for adjusting the mechani- concerned that an inverted switch ARSA was delighted to pick up the FAA’s gauntlet. On The recommendations, made to cal stop bolt do not currently draw any installation resulting in pitch-trim op- Dec. 23, 2019, the association gave the agency a holiday Brazil’s ANAC and the FAA, stem from specific attention to this critical area,” eration opposite to that expected by gift: a petition for rulemaking to delete the last sentence an ongoing investigation into a Novem- the NTSB said in its recommendation a flight crew could lead to confusion, of §145.109(d). ber 2019 incident aboard a Republic letter. Concerned that other aircraft delaying appropriate recognition and “The requirement to maintain current and accessible Airways Embraer 175. The crew de- could be at risk, the NTSB reached out response to increased control forces,” parted Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson In- and urged operators to voluntarily in- the board said. It recommended ANAC documents and data irrelevant to the work performed ternational Airport (ATL) en route to spect their E-Jets. Republic found nine and the FAA mandate the bulletins. provides no safety benefit,” the petition said. “The costs New York LaGuardia Airport and ex- aircraft with chafed wiring, and other The NTSB also expressed concern cannot be justified and the unnecessary sentence causes perienced an excessive uncommanded unidentified operators found more about the runaway trim emergency substantial confusion and expense for the agency. The re- pitch-up 4 min. into the flight. The cap- examples, the NTSB said. scenario. Embraer’s memory-item JOEPREISAVIATION.NET quested amendment of section 145.109(d) will eliminate tain immediately diagnosed the issue It is not clear if the chafed wiring list for runaway trim recommends demanding compliance with §145.109(d). Next, the require- needless and discriminatory burdens.” as a runaway horizontal stabilizer and contributed to the incident. But the both cutout switches be used, but ment to maintain this “current” information is absent from all You can learn more about the effort, read and sup- executed Republic’s single-item quick NTSB is concerned that other E- Republic’s version only mentions other maintenance providers’ requirements—mechanics and port the petition by visiting the docket at regulations. reference handbook (QRH) memory Jets are at risk and has urged Brazil’s “Pitch Trim System 1,” or the left- airlines are required to comply only with Part 43. gov/docket?D=FAA-2019-1106. You’ll see—if you don’t checklist by pushing and holding the ANAC and the FAA to order Embraer side switch. Embraer’s QRH does Section 43.13(a) allows persons to complete maintenance, already recognize—that it makes more sense to be correct left-side pitch trim disconnect switch. to address the issue with inspections not tell pilots to retrim the aircraft; preventive maintenance and alteration using “methods, than to be current. c The captain then asked the first officer and updated AMM instructions. the Republic crew relied on their un- to push and hold the right-side switch. The NTSB also discovered that the derstanding of the system and use of techniques and practices acceptable to the Administrator,” Fight data recorder data later verified left-side pitch-trim cutout switch was the electric trim switches to adjust which include current and previous versions of manufac- Sarah MacLeod is managing member of Obadal, Filler, that the switches had no effect. The installed “in an inverted position,” the the horizontal stabilizer and bring turer-provided maintenance data as well as that developed MacLeod & Klein and a founder and executive director of the crew regained control of the airplane letter said. Embraer became aware the nose down. Other crews may not independently by repair stations, mechanics and airlines. Aeronautical Repair Station Association. She has advo - using electric trim inputs and made an of the issue in 2015 after flight crews have as much knowledge, the board This flexibility is vital to aviation safety because the “current” cated for individuals and companies on international avia- emergency landing back at ATL. reported similar pitch-trim malfunc- said. The NTSB recommended ANAC data are not always correct. tion safety law, policy and compliance issues for more than Investigators discovered chafed tions that were traced to incorrectly examine the E-Jets checklists and en- For example, as one repair station reported to ARSA, “[a 30 years. insulation around the wires connect- installed switches and issued service sure they “adequately address all po- ing the horizontal stabilizer actuator bulletins (SB) that recommended in- tential trim system failures.” c control electronics to the captain’s stallation of a support to prevent the —Sean Broderick

MRO6 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 MRO7 M Interview Viva Air Nicolas Takahashi, Viva Air’s director of engineering and maintenance, spoke with Lee Ann Shay on the sidelines of MRO Latin America about the Colombian LCC’s big growth plan and technology investments. Takahashi joined Viva Air in its start-up process and is known for having reduced maintenance costs while increasing productivity. VIVA AIR How many additional aircraft does U.S. takes more time due to TSA. Our FOUNDED: 2012 Viva Air plan to receive in 2020 to ac- turnaround is quick so we can increase commodate growth? CEO Felix Antelo the number of operations. OWNERSHIP: Irelandia Aviation The new aircraft have wider aisles recently said he hopes the carrier will FLEET (NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT, transport 7.2 million passengers in so we can offload and load passen- BY TYPE): 22 A320 aircraft 2020, compared to 6.3 million in 2019. gers quicker, which also helps with the short turnaround times. We also ROUTES: 33 We target four new aircraft, but in the have good coordination with the PASSENGERS CARRIED (2019): next three years we hope to receive 35 ground personnel and crew before new neos from Airbus plus the 15 new aircraft arrive, which is a key point 6.3 million A320ceos received to date, for a total of of the operation. HEADQUARTERS: 50 aircraft. These aircraft have more Right now, Viva Air has the second- Medellin, Colombia density, 188 passengers, so by adding highest on-time performance in the re- these aircraft and increasing our op- gion, but we perform a lot more cycles MAINTENANCE BASE LOCATIONS: eration we can reach those numbers. with shorter turnaround times. If we Bogota, Colombia, and adjusted the measurement to compare Lima, Peru How do you handle maintenance for apples to apples, we would be first in your Airbus fleet? What is done in- the region. house? We are looking at all of the lead- How does maintenance contribute to ing ones including TRAX, MXI and We perform line maintenance in-house this punctual performance? AMOS. We hope to make a decision and up to A checks. We have two main by the end of June. bases in Colombia—Medellin and Bo- Maintenance performs everything that gota. We outsource line maintenance is planned, and we do it on time. So How difficult, or easy, is it to find in Peru to Avianca, and we subcon- preparation is key. Doing this increases qualified maintenance personnel? tract the C checks. We subcontract the availability and reliability of the outstations in Colombia to Avianca, aircraft, which helps the on-time per- Colombia has a population of 50 mil- and in Peru we use a mix of suppliers, formance. We also prepare for the high lion and is quite young. Getting people including Avianca. season as best was we can in advance. is manageable and training is a key For components, we have a power- issue in keeping them at the highest by-the-hour agreement (PBH) with How do you expect Viva Air’s mainte- level possible. It’s more difficult in Peru Airbus for the new fleet and a PBH for nance department to change over the because there are no technical schools the older fleet with AFI KLM E&M. next few years? or universities with aviation mainte- For engines, we just signed a 12-year, nance. Maintenance technicians there $3.2 billion contract for maintenance We need to invest in the infrastruc- also move to higher paying jobs in min- of the neo engines with CFM. We are ture and people to meet growth. We ing and shipping. launching an RFP (request for propos- are working to have a training facility al) for the ceo engines. That one would and new software systems. A predic- News reports have said Viva Air is be of 12-year duration, too. We hope to tive maintenance system will be set up investing in new technology. Is any of bid and close that by June. in the near future. We signed an agree- that for maintenance? ment with Airbus for Skywise in 2019 What turnaround times does Viva Air and are waiting for new maintenance Viva Air is investing in a lot of tech- strive for between flights? software that can interface with Sky- nology for operations. We have a new wise—the current one does not. Pre- simulator in the region for pilots and Our average turnaround time for do- dictive maintenance is the future. maintenance technicians. We are also mestic flights is 30 min., but interna- looking at a new maintenance training tional can vary between 40-90 min.— Which software system are you look- facility in the first half of the year. One with most closer to 40 min. But the ing at? of the challenges for maintenance, as

MRO8 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO M Interview

I mentioned before, is our mainte - Viva Air nance software. Nicolas Takahashi, Viva Air’s director of engineering and maintenance, How much of the maintenance department’s operation is paperless? spoke with Lee Ann Shay on the sidelines of MRO Latin America about All of our technicians have an iPad. All the Colombian LCC’s big growth plan and technology investments. of the manuals are included and updated on the iPads, so you don’t have Takahashi joined Viva Air in its start-up process and is known for to print manuals. Unfortunately, we having reduced maintenance costs while increasing productivity. need to write tech reports due to the lessors and regulatory authorities, but Viva Air operates an expanding fleet of A320s. VIVA AIR the future is to use paperless tech logs. JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET How many additional aircraft does U.S. takes more time due to TSA. Our FOUNDED: 2012 Viva Air plan to receive in 2020 to ac- turnaround is quick so we can increase Is the Viva Air Labs innovation center oxide by 15% and noise by 50%. We also As Viva Air moves toward an initial commodate growth? CEO Felix Antelo the number of operations. OWNERSHIP: Irelandia Aviation working with the maintenance de- are working on initiatives to use paper public offering, is that process af- The new aircraft have wider aisles cups instead of plastic. All of the pilot recently said he hopes the carrier will FLEET (NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT, partment? fecting your maintenance operations transport 7.2 million passengers in so we can offload and load passen- manuals are integrated into an iPad, in any way? BY TYPE): 22 A320 aircraft 2020, compared to 6.3 million in 2019. gers quicker, which also helps with That’s more for ground and flight op- which reduces paper. We also removed the short turnaround times. We also ROUTES: 33 erations. In the future, we could use it as much weight from the aircraft as We expect to be public in a few years. We target four new aircraft, but in the have good coordination with the for maintenance. possible. For instance, we have two We need to have the best maintenance PASSENGERS CARRIED (2019): next three years we hope to receive 35 ground personnel and crew before ovens now instead of three or four. The practices and the lowest operating 6.3 million new neos from Airbus plus the 15 new aircraft arrive, which is a key point Does Viva Air have any sustainability seats are lighter-weight and state-of- costs as possible because that is one A320ceos received to date, for a total of of the operation. HEADQUARTERS: initiatives underway? the-art. We also now only fill 50% of the of our competitive advantages. Our 50 aircraft. These aircraft have more Right now, Viva Air has the second- Medellin, Colombia water tanks. We use single-engine taxi target is to be the lowest-cost operator density, 188 passengers, so by adding highest on-time performance in the re- Viva Air has made a big investment in and wash engines, as required. Those in the region—and one of the lowest in these aircraft and increasing our op- gion, but we perform a lot more cycles MAINTENANCE BASE LOCATIONS: its fleet, which will reduce carbon di- small initiatives add to fuel savings. the world. c eration we can reach those numbers. with shorter turnaround times. If we Bogota, Colombia, and adjusted the measurement to compare Lima, Peru How do you handle maintenance for apples to apples, we would be first in your Airbus fleet? What is done in- the region. house? We are looking at all of the lead- How does maintenance contribute to ing ones including TRAX, MXI and We perform line maintenance in-house this punctual performance? AMOS. We hope to make a decision and up to A checks. We have two main by the end of June. Know. Predict. bases in Colombia—Medellin and Bo- Maintenance performs everything that gota. We outsource line maintenance is planned, and we do it on time. So How difficult, or easy, is it to find in Peru to Avianca, and we subcon- preparation is key. Doing this increases qualified maintenance personnel? Connect. tract the C checks. We subcontract the availability and reliability of the outstations in Colombia to Avianca, aircraft, which helps the on-time per- Colombia has a population of 50 mil- CONNECT with your community through the largest and in Peru we use a mix of suppliers, formance. We also prepare for the high lion and is quite young. Getting people series of MRO conferences and exhibitions, including including Avianca. season as best was we can in advance. is manageable and training is a key events focused on engines and ﬁ nancing. For components, we have a power- issue in keeping them at the highest by-the-hour agreement (PBH) with How do you expect Viva Air’s mainte- level possible. It’s more difficult in Peru ● 40,000+ aviation and maintenance professionals Airbus for the new fleet and a PBH for nance department to change over the because there are no technical schools attend our events annually the older fleet with AFI KLM E&M. next few years? or universities with aviation mainte- ● 40% of attendees are VP and higher and 80% of For engines, we just signed a 12-year, nance. Maintenance technicians there attendees are involved in the purchasing cycle $3.2 billion contract for maintenance We need to invest in the infrastruc- also move to higher paying jobs in min- ● of the neo engines with CFM. We are ture and people to meet growth. We ing and shipping. 2,000+ face-to-face meetings take place through launching an RFP (request for propos- are working to have a training facility our meet the buyers series al) for the ceo engines. That one would and new software systems. A predic- News reports have said Viva Air is be of 12-year duration, too. We hope to tive maintenance system will be set up investing in new technology. Is any of Stay Connected: bid and close that by June. in the near future. We signed an agree- that for maintenance? ment with Airbus for Skywise in 2019 What turnaround times does Viva Air and are waiting for new maintenance Viva Air is investing in a lot of tech- strive for between flights? software that can interface with Sky- nology for operations. We have a new wise—the current one does not. Pre- simulator in the region for pilots and Our average turnaround time for do- dictive maintenance is the future. maintenance technicians. We are also mestic flights is 30 min., but interna- looking at a new maintenance training Learn more by visiting: tional can vary between 40-90 min.— Which software system are you look- facility in the first half of the year. One events.aviationweek.com with most closer to 40 min. But the ing at? of the challenges for maintenance, as

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business set up in early 2017 to service Middle East components. Ziad Al-Hazmi, CEO of LHT Middle East, says the company has doubled in size since it was es- Expansion tablished, with hangar capacity going from around 27,000 ft.2 to 54,000 ft.2 The UAE accounts for most MRO growth, but in three years while its staff has in- the entire region must prepare for a fleet surge creased tenfold, from around 10 to 100 as of early this year. James Pozzi London Likening the growth of the MRO as playing catch-up to the expansion of the he $7 billion aftermarket in the than 350 aircraft combined. Both car- region’s airlines, Al-Hazmi says new ca- Middle East is seeing high growth riers also have growing in-house MRO pabilities have also been added. “When T levels and ambitious investments operations. Etihad Airways Engineer- we started, we were looking at nacelles by its dominant players. MRO in the ing, the airline’s MRO arm, is particu- made up of composite materials. Com- region is expanding at a compound an- larly ambitious in targeting third-party posite reversers, flaps, inlet and cowls nual growth rate of 8.2%, outstripping work. In the past year, it also added and fan cowls—all those large items the global MRO growth rate of 2.9%, new repair services for aircraft such when transported out of here meant according to Aviation Week Fleet & as the Airbus A350, adding to existing a significant cost was attached,” he MRO Forecast data. By 2029, the same capabilities in A380 and Boeing 787 says. “Our initial driver to be here was analysis estimates total MRO spending repairs while potentially looking to to reduce turnaround times on those of $105.4 billion in the region. expand beyond Abu Dhabi. Emirates products before this developed into other areas.” Given the growing fleet, Al-Hazmi believes there is a more solid case for carrying out certain types of maintenance locally, and LHT Middle East is looking to expand locally. “We’re investing more into local material sup-

ETIHAD AIRWAYS ENGINEERING ETIHAD AIRWAYS ply and assets,” he says, with a greater focus on on-wing services anticipated. As in most global regions, capacity has been problematic and has led to several solutions aimed at addressing constraints, perhaps more urgently given the rapid growth in Middle Eastern fleets. Regional players such as Abu Dhabi-based engine MRO Sanad Aerotech are seeking to rectify this by ramping up capacity to be able to overhaul 315 GEnx engines by 2035 and provide 237 quick turns Much of the MRO work in the Middle East is generated by larger widebodies on Leap engines by 2030 in Abu Dhabi. such as the Airbus A380. It plans to add around 200 employees While Saudi Arabia and Qatar are has more than 30 contracts in place across its aerospace business and grow seeing high levels of investment in with third-party customers. its staff to 550-600 over the next two their MRO industries, it is the Unit- Given projected fleet growth not just years, while also furthering national ef- ed Arab Emirates (UAE) that eas- in the Middle East but also in Asia, forts to boost its indigenous workforce. ily dominates MRO spending in the North Africa, CIS and Eastern Europe, Keeping up with the impressive re- region. The country’s aftermarket is the Gulf state has also attracted OEMs gional fleet growth is a challenge for expected to reach $45 billion over the and MRO shops to set up in the region. MROs, says Al-Hamzi. “This is a chal- next 10 years, according to Aviation The Dubai South aviation hub has lenge not because of the experience Week data. This is more than double served as a hive of aftermarket activity, and tooling we have but more about that of the projected MRO total from as home to several engine and parts getting the right people in and trained Qatar, which stands at $20.6 billion, OEMs, MROs and independent repair as quickly as possible.” and the ambitious Saudi Arabia, specialists. GE Aviation and Boeing While assistance was sought from which is forecast to generate $13.5 have set up regional headquarters in other Lufthansa Technik shops around billion in 2020-29. the economic zone since its inception. the world, Al-Hazmi says that is not an Much of the UAE’s MRO growth Dubai South is also home to Luf- economical long-term solution. Instead, stems from locally based airlines Emir- thansa Technik (LHT) Middle East, like Sanad, it will be trying to recruit ates and Etihad, which operate more the German MRO giant’s regional more technicians from the UAE. It

MRO10 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO M Regional Focus Top Five Middle East business set up in early 2017 to service has also actively recruited young tal- MRO Spending to develop the capabilities to grab it,” Middle East components. Ziad Al-Hazmi, CEO of ent, with around half of its 100-strong by Country, 2020-29 Abuain explains. LHT Middle East, says the company workforce under age 30. Local educa- United Arab Capacity is limited at its site close to $45.3 billion has doubled in size since it was es- tional partnerships have been an effec- Emirates the Jordanian capital’s Amman Civil Expansion tablished, with hangar capacity going tive means of recruitment. Airport, particularly during high sea- from around 27,000 ft.2 to 54,000 ft.2 In Jordan, several independent MRO Qatar 20.6 billion sons for base maintenance. This leads The UAE accounts for most MRO growth, but in three years while its staff has in- providers are helping to address the Saudi Arabia 13.5 billion it to rent additional space at the airport creased tenfold, from around 10 to 100 growing regional workload. Adding on a temporary basis to alleviate capac- the entire region must prepare for a fleet surge Egypt 3.5 billion as of early this year. capabilities for new aircraft types has ity constraints. To remedy this, Abuain James Pozzi London Likening the growth of the MRO as been a common trend recently, with Iran 3.2 billion says 2020 will see the building of a new playing catch-up to the expansion of the companies like Joramco gaining Eu- Source: Aviation Week Network maintenance hangar, along with a paint he $7 billion aftermarket in the than 350 aircraft combined. Both car- region’s airlines, Al-Hazmi says new ca- ropean Union Aviation Safety Agency Fleet & MRO Forecast Data shop and a composites repair workshop. Middle East is seeing high growth riers also have growing in-house MRO pabilities have also been added. “When Part 145 approval for Boeing 787, 737 He also identifies other noncapacity- T levels and ambitious investments operations. Etihad Airways Engineer- we started, we were looking at nacelles MAX and A320neo aircraft in the past September of last year, while certifica- related issues, some in common with by its dominant players. MRO in the ing, the airline’s MRO arm, is particu- made up of composite materials. Com- two years. The MRO has also taken on tion for Airbus A320 aircraft repairs is other regions while others are more region is expanding at a compound an- larly ambitious in targeting third-party posite reversers, flaps, inlet and cowls new work from Europe, including from in process and anticipated by mid-year. unique to the Middle East. “There are nual growth rate of 8.2%, outstripping work. In the past year, it also added and fan cowls—all those large items low-cost carrier Ryanair, which has Ziad Abuain, CEO and general a limited number of licensed engineers, the global MRO growth rate of 2.9%, new repair services for aircraft such when transported out of here meant outsourced airframe maintenance of manager of JAC, believes regional and obsolescence on some systems according to Aviation Week Fleet & as the Airbus A350, adding to existing a significant cost was attached,” he its Boeing 737NGs across two lines at demand for maintenance on these of the 737 Classic, and civil aviation MRO Forecast data. By 2029, the same capabilities in A380 and Boeing 787 says. “Our initial driver to be here was Joramco’s facility for heavy checks be- aircraft types will continue to grow, authorities are becoming more strin- analysis estimates total MRO spending repairs while potentially looking to to reduce turnaround times on those tween November 2019 and March 2020. although demand for MRO services gent on MROs,” he says. The growing of $105.4 billion in the region. expand beyond Abu Dhabi. Emirates products before this developed into Jordan Aeronautical Systems Co. on widebody aircraft could be even prevalence of new-generation aircraft other areas.” Given the growing fleet, (JAC), which repairs a mix of commer- more important. Other specialist ser- also presents challenges related to hir- Al-Hazmi believes there is a more solid cial and military aircraft, is another vices could also be in demand, he says. ing skilled labor, Abuain says. “This is case for carrying out certain types of Jordanian company looking to become “The aircraft paint business for wide- especially true for new-generation air- maintenance locally, and LHT Middle more competitive. Repair capabilities body aircraft is booming in the region, craft types in light of aviation authori- East is looking to expand locally. “We’re for the Boeing 737NG were added in and this could be a good opportunity ties’ requirements,” he adds. c investing more into local material sup-

ETIHAD AIRWAYS ENGINEERING ETIHAD AIRWAYS ply and assets,” he says, with a greater focus on on-wing services anticipated. As in most global regions, capacity has been problematic and has led to several solutions aimed at addressing constraints, perhaps more The Commercial Aftermarket New Business Locator urgently given the rapid growth in Middle Eastern fleets. Regional players such as Abu Dhabi-based engine MRO Sanad Aerotech are seeking to rectify this by ramping up capacity to be able to overhaul 315 GEnx engines by 2035 and provide 237 quick turns Much of the MRO work in the Middle East is generated by larger widebodies on Leap engines by 2030 in Abu Dhabi. such as the Airbus A380. It plans to add around 200 employees While Saudi Arabia and Qatar are has more than 30 contracts in place across its aerospace business and grow seeing high levels of investment in with third-party customers. its staff to 550-600 over the next two their MRO industries, it is the Unit- Given projected fleet growth not just years, while also furthering national ef- ■ ed Arab Emirates (UAE) that eas- in the Middle East but also in Asia, forts to boost its indigenous workforce. MRO Prospector provides Insight into airframe, engine and With a newly designed user ily dominates MRO spending in the North Africa, CIS and Eastern Europe, Keeping up with the impressive re- in-depth details and reliable landing gear opportunities going interface and enhanced contracts, region. The country’s aftermarket is the Gulf state has also attracted OEMs gional fleet growth is a challenge for data that enables subscribers out 1, 2 and 3 years now is the perfect time to see expected to reach $45 billion over the and MRO shops to set up in the region. MROs, says Al-Hamzi. “This is a chal- to locate new business ■ Details on the work being MRO Prospector for yourself. next 10 years, according to Aviation The Dubai South aviation hub has lenge not because of the experience opportunities fi rst: done by global MRO providers Call 866.857.0148 Week data. This is more than double served as a hive of aftermarket activity, and tooling we have but more about ■ A continually growing (within N. America), that of the projected MRO total from as home to several engine and parts getting the right people in and trained contracts database Qatar, which stands at $20.6 billion, OEMs, MROs and independent repair as quickly as possible.” +1.847.763.9147 or go to aviationweek.com/MROP and the ambitious Saudi Arabia, specialists. GE Aviation and Boeing While assistance was sought from which is forecast to generate $13.5 have set up regional headquarters in other Lufthansa Technik shops around billion in 2020-29. the economic zone since its inception. the world, Al-Hazmi says that is not an Much of the UAE’s MRO growth Dubai South is also home to Luf- economical long-term solution. Instead, stems from locally based airlines Emir- thansa Technik (LHT) Middle East, like Sanad, it will be trying to recruit ates and Etihad, which operate more the German MRO giant’s regional more technicians from the UAE. It

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Changing airline dynamics deﬁ ne aircraft cabin modiﬁ cations

abin retrofi t specialists and suppliers are bodies—especially the 737NG family. “As the Airbus market seeing a steady market as airlines take started to decline, the 737 business picked up—mainly for the 737-800—due to lease transfers likely due to the 737 MAX delivery of new aircraft while delaying issue,” says Chandler. “A number of 737-800s that might have the retirements of older models—and while the been parted out or converted to freighters have continued Boeing 737 MAX remains grounded. in passenger service .” For 2020, Chandler predicts lease-transfer-related modifi - “The 737 MAX grounding has, to some degree, driven cabin cation work will be buoyant, with a mix of 737NGs and A320s. upgrades as airlines lease alternative lift to fi ll the capacity hole Interior modifi cations are also being driven by the intro- that has left,” says Earl Diamond, executive board member and duction of such new aircraft types as the A320neo, A350, partner of Avianor, an aircraft interior modifi cation company and the Boeing 787, creat ing a strong incentive for airlines in Montreal. “Lease activity is also high due to recent airline to refresh their infl ight o erings as their older aircraft un- failures, which have added lots of aircraft to the market.” dergo maintenance, says Richard Brown, managing direc- Airline failures and lease returns are generating much of tor of Naveo Consultancy in London. “We have seen a lot the upgrade and modifi cation work at Vallair , an MRO pro- of activity upgrading mature and midlife aircraft—such as vider in Montpellier, France. “We do a general refresh and A330s, 777-200ERs and, in some cases, 767s—to o er similar refurbishment of the cabin, including layout and passenger infl ight seating and the look and feel of the latest-generation amenities change-outs,” explains Malcolm Chandler, Vallair’s aircraft,” he remarks. head of commercial services and marketing. A 10-year forecast of the commercial airliner interiors For most of 2019, the company focused primarily on the market released last year by Tronos Aviation Consulting Airbus A320 family, but starting late in last year’s third (TAC) of Atlanta projects an estimated $136 billion will be quarter the work transitioned to mostly Boeing narrow- spent on major cabin components over the coming decade.

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Before (top) and after (bottom) views of a turn-key interior to that, he says, is on narrowbody aircraft densification proj- RORROR refurbishment project done by Avianor of Montreal on four ects, including replacement of the aft-cabin lavatories with Gulf Air A330s, for which the MRO had full cabin-integra- smaller ones to accommodate extra rows of seats. tion and STC responsibility. This included replacing the IFE, seats, carpeting, curtains and laminates, new monuments SEATS and adding Avianor-manufactured entertainment cabinets. Ben Orson, managing director of JPA Design, says that there This includes seats, galleys, lavatories, inflight entertainment is “definitely demand” by airlines to bring older in-service (IFE) and connectivity, as well as lighting and soft goods such aircraft up to contemporary aircraft standards of comfort as upholstery, carpeting and curtains, says TAC Managing and decor. The London-based design consultancy primarily Officer Gary Weissel. Of the total, the retrofit market is -pro works with long-haul, international carriers that tend to oper- jected to account for $76 billion and line-fit $60 billion. The ate their aircraft for an average of 10-15 years. TAC analysis, Weissel adds, was developed in cooperation with “During that period, they will be obliged for competitive AeroDynamic Advisory, using Alton Fleet Forecasting data. reasons to update their interiors at least once,” Orson says. As Weissel explains, the new generation of cabin offer- “There are new types of seats coming with new forms, func- ings encompasses all classes of service with new or updated tions and colors, as well as new materials that are selected business-class products, space-saver economy seats and in to showcase the airline brand within the cabin.” Changing airline dynamics deﬁ ne aircraft cabin modiﬁ cations some cases new premium-economy sections in which seat One trend impacting cabins is the reduction of first-class designs are pushing what he terms “the lower boundary” of seating. “Based on our customer requests over the past 5-10 business-class seats, largely comparable to those in business years, the number of first-class seats has been significantly class a decade ago. reduced, although comfort levels have in most cases in- One growing trend he sees is the “densification” of the creased,” says Orson. “For example, Singapore Airlines and coach-class cabin with the addition of more lightweight, slim-design seating. “But,” says Weissel, “I think we have reached a tipping The Collins Aerospace first-class point as to how much lighter and slimmer suite on Emirates Airlines. we can design an economy-class seat and yet maintain the same level of comfort. I don’t think we can get any higher densification.”

BINS Seating is not the only focus for airlines making cabin improvements. Weissel points out that for narrowbody aircraft, larger-capacity, in-cabin luggage stowage bins are a com- IN ing passenger convenience. Specifically, TAC projects that over the next 10 years, some $2.9 billion will be spent on bin upgrades abin retrofi t specialists and suppliers are bodies—especially the 737NG family. “As the Airbus market and retrofits. “There are more installations seeing a steady market as airlines take started to decline, the 737 business picked up—mainly for the of the current-generation articulating bins 737-800—due to lease transfers likely due to the 737 MAX in progress,” says Weissel, explaining that delivery of new aircraft while delaying issue,” says Chandler. “A number of 737-800s that might have by design, the bins articulate or drop down- the retirements of older models—and while the been parted out or converted to freighters have continued ward when opened, providing increased bag- Boeing 737 MAX remains grounded. in passenger service .” gage capacity. But there is a weight tradeoff. For 2020, Chandler predicts lease-transfer-related modifi - ”Articulated bins tend to be heavier and COLLINS AEROSPACE “The 737 MAX grounding has, to some degree, driven cabin cation work will be buoyant, with a mix of 737NGs and A320s. more maintenance-intensive than traditional shelf-type bins,” Etihad Airways, have added private suites to first class.” upgrades as airlines lease alternative lift to fi ll the capacity hole Interior modifi cations are also being driven by the intro- he notes. “However, I do see a continuing iteration of bin de- Shawn Raybell, director of business development for inte- that has left,” says Earl Diamond, executive board member and duction of such new aircraft types as the A320neo, A350, sign, especially for narrowbody aircraft.” riors at Collins Aerospace, notes similar trends. “In general, partner of Avianor, an aircraft interior modifi cation company and the Boeing 787, creat ing a strong incentive for airlines Naveo’s Brown says checked baggage fees imposed by both we see international first class declining, but there are airlines in Montreal. “Lease activity is also high due to recent airline to refresh their infl ight o erings as their older aircraft un- low-cost carriers and legacy full-service airlines are driving that will always maintain a flagship product,” he says. failures, which have added lots of aircraft to the market.” dergo maintenance, says Richard Brown, managing direc- the move toward larger bins. “Overhead baggage space in The all-aisle access, lie-flat seating that used to define first- Airline failures and lease returns are generating much of tor of Naveo Consultancy in London. “We have seen a lot economy is always at a premium, but this is less of an issue class service is slowly becoming the new standard for busi- the upgrade and modifi cation work at Vallair , an MRO pro- of activity upgrading mature and midlife aircraft—such as in premium cabins, given the lower number of passengers ness-class cabins such as the newly introduced Club Suites vider in Montpellier, France. “We do a general refresh and A330s, 777-200ERs and, in some cases, 767s—to o er similar relative to the bin space,” he explains. “Newer aircraft, such by British Airways. “This has increased efforts going forward refurbishment of the cabin, including layout and passenger infl ight seating and the look and feel of the latest-generation as the 737 MAX and Airbus A220 feature larger overhead to better differentiate true first class,” says Raybell, citing amenities change-outs,” explains Malcolm Chandler, Vallair’s aircraft,” he remarks. bins to accommodate the increased amount of baggage pas- the Collins Aerospace first-class suite on Emirates Airline. head of commercial services and marketing. A 10-year forecast of the commercial airliner interiors sengers are carrying.” He terms it “the new ceiling for privacy and luxury and the For most of 2019, the company focused primarily on the market released last year by Tronos Aviation Consulting As for galley and lavatory retrofit trends, very little is tak- measure of first-class cabins for many years to come.” Airbus A320 family, but starting late in last year’s third (TAC) of Atlanta projects an estimated $136 billion will be ing place with respect to major system innovations, such as But in spite of the attention paid to their higher-priced quarter the work transitioned to mostly Boeing narrow- spent on major cabin components over the coming decade. lighter-weight materials, according to Weissel. The exception services, airlines are not neglecting the economy cabin,

MRO1 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 MRO13 MRO Interiors JPA DESIGN PHOTOS as JPA Design’s Orson notes. For in- we can be confident that their ability to stance, Qatar Airways has just intro- support that weight is not degraded in duced “Quadra,” a new generation of service by inevitable events, such as im- economy-class seating developed as pacts from galley carts or trolley bags.” a collaboration between JPA Design Orson adds that it is not as easy to and Optimares, an Italian aircraft-seat determine visually whether or not a manufacturer. Orson says the airline composite structure has been damaged, will initially install the seats on its new as it is with a metallic structure. One A321neo fleet. way to mitigate that issue, he suggests, Quadra employs an Optimares pro- is to protect composite structures with prietary seat-recline mechanism which, physical “armor” in the form of “sacri- upon moving, actually increases the ficial panels” (impact-absorbing bum- amount of legroom for the passenger pers) that are typically adjacent to the seated directly behind, Orson notes. aisles and on the tops of the seat furni- “This is done through a combination ture. “But in doing so we add weight of moveable seat cushions and a static back where we have been striving for backrest,” he explains. “The additional lightness,” he says. Brussels Airlines’ A330 business- legroom is created as the literature Collins Aerospace’s Raybell predicts class seat by JPA Design. pocket in the seatback moves forward that future trends in cabin interiors will with the reclining cushions.” include more efforts to differentiate equipment on domestic single-aisle The Quadra seat was also intended economy cabins. “In premium econo- aircraft.” However, he stresses, in the to offer greater comfort and utility. It my, which is proving to be a successful international and widebody markets, includes a winged headrest, seatback business model, designs will include the seatback screen is more popular reading light, and AC and USB sockets. increased comfort features, privacy en- than ever. Lightweight, carbon-fiber composite hancements, cushions, headrests and “About 10 years ago, I forecasted structural material has replaced metal footrests,” he says. “At the same time, that seatback screens would be elimi- to reduce weight. “We made the seat we see the low-cost carriers reducing nated within 10 years. Now, I forecast that screens will be present for another 10 years in widebody aircraft,” Planey Qatar Airways’ “Quadra,” says. “Low-cost carriers are one area a new generation of economy- where you will see less hardware pro- class seating, was developed vided by the airlines and greater reli- as a collaboration between JPA ance upon passengers to bring their Design and Optimares, an Italian own personal devices.” But he adds that aircraft- seat manufacturer. this largely will be dependent on still- pending improvements in bandwidth, latency and continuous availability of satellite internet services. While seatback monitors are still a standard feature in legacy airline cabins, they are trending toward retirement, says Nina Schulz, head of prod- lighter and more appealing in terms of features—no seat recline, small snack uct sales and partnerships for aircraft comfort and style,” Orson stresses. tables, minimal weight, thin cushions, modification at Lufthansa Technik. Orson also expects to see greater use minimum pitch. Economy-class seating “Pricing for a full IFE including these of composites in seating, given the con- suppliers need to provide an increasingly monitors is high. Monitors generate stant desire by airlines to reduce weight flexible and broad set of product lines to maintenance and operational cost, and to save fuel. Toward that objective, JPA support this widening product portfolio.” the related wiring drives weight,” she Design is working with Williams Ad- explains. “As more airlines offer full vanced Engineering and SWS Certifica- IFE connectivity solutions, and passengers tion to develop composites technologies Inflight entertainment options are also get accustomed to carrying mobile for seating applications. expected to undergo change, with a communication devices, either sec- “There is a relatively low level of un- transition toward personal electronic ond-screening or with their full usage derstanding in the industry of the im- devices (PED). as inflight entertainment connectivity plications of composites in seat primary “In shorter-haul domestic U.S. mar- [IFEC] is being fostered, that may push structures which are usually made of kets, we are already seeing that,” says further drawback of seatback monitors. metal,” he says. “One of the issues is that Michael Planey, co-founder of HM A powerful connectivity solution can if composites are used in the structures Planey Consultants in Alexandria, Vir- deliver offerings for IFEC that may not that directly support the passenger’s ginia. “American Airlines has gone to necessarily require a seat-centric sys- weight during a crash, it is vital that great lengths to remove seatback IFE tem anymore.” c

MRO14 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Interiors JPA DESIGN PHOTOS Augmented Reality as JPA Design’s Orson notes. For in- we can be confident that their ability to stance, Qatar Airways has just intro- support that weight is not degraded in duced “Quadra,” a new generation of service by inevitable events, such as im- economy-class seating developed as pacts from galley carts or trolley bags.” a collaboration between JPA Design Orson adds that it is not as easy to and Optimares, an Italian aircraft-seat determine visually whether or not a manufacturer. Orson says the airline composite structure has been damaged, will initially install the seats on its new as it is with a metallic structure. One A321neo fleet. way to mitigate that issue, he suggests, Quadra employs an Optimares pro- is to protect composite structures with prietary seat-recline mechanism which, physical “armor” in the form of “sacri- upon moving, actually increases the ficial panels” (impact-absorbing bum- amount of legroom for the passenger pers) that are typically adjacent to the seated directly behind, Orson notes. aisles and on the tops of the seat furni- “This is done through a combination ture. “But in doing so we add weight of moveable seat cushions and a static back where we have been striving for backrest,” he explains. “The additional lightness,” he says. Brussels Airlines’ A330 business- legroom is created as the literature Collins Aerospace’s Raybell predicts class seat by JPA Design. pocket in the seatback moves forward that future trends in cabin interiors will with the reclining cushions.” include more efforts to differentiate equipment on domestic single-aisle The Quadra seat was also intended economy cabins. “In premium econo- aircraft.” However, he stresses, in the to offer greater comfort and utility. It my, which is proving to be a successful international and widebody markets, 1 Download includes a winged headrest, seatback business model, designs will include the seatback screen is more popular the SnapPress App for free. reading light, and AC and USB sockets. increased comfort features, privacy en- than ever. Lightweight, carbon-fiber composite hancements, cushions, headrests and “About 10 years ago, I forecasted 2 “Snap” structural material has replaced metal footrests,” he says. “At the same time, that seatback screens would be elimi- this page. to reduce weight. “We made the seat we see the low-cost carriers reducing nated within 10 years. Now, I forecast 3 Explore that screens will be present for another the page’s exclusive 10 years in widebody aircraft,” Planey hidden Qatar Airways’ “Quadra,” says. “Low-cost carriers are one area content. a new generation of economy- where you will see less hardware pro- class seating, was developed vided by the airlines and greater reli- as a collaboration between JPA ance upon passengers to bring their Design and Optimares, an Italian own personal devices.” But he adds that aircraft- seat manufacturer. this largely will be dependent on still- pending improvements in bandwidth, latency and continuous availability of satellite internet services. While seatback monitors are still a standard feature in legacy airline cabins, they are trending toward retirement, says Nina Schulz, head of prod- lighter and more appealing in terms of features—no seat recline, small snack uct sales and partnerships for aircraft comfort and style,” Orson stresses. tables, minimal weight, thin cushions, modification at Lufthansa Technik. Orson also expects to see greater use minimum pitch. Economy-class seating “Pricing for a full IFE including these of composites in seating, given the con- suppliers need to provide an increasingly monitors is high. Monitors generate stant desire by airlines to reduce weight flexible and broad set of product lines to maintenance and operational cost, and to save fuel. Toward that objective, JPA support this widening product portfolio.” the related wiring drives weight,” she Design is working with Williams Ad- explains. “As more airlines offer full vanced Engineering and SWS Certifica- IFE connectivity solutions, and passengers tion to develop composites technologies Inflight entertainment options are also get accustomed to carrying mobile for seating applications. expected to undergo change, with a communication devices, either sec- “There is a relatively low level of un- transition toward personal electronic ond-screening or with their full usage derstanding in the industry of the im- devices (PED). as inflight entertainment connectivity plications of composites in seat primary “In shorter-haul domestic U.S. mar- [IFEC] is being fostered, that may push structures which are usually made of kets, we are already seeing that,” says further drawback of seatback monitors. metal,” he says. “One of the issues is that Michael Planey, co-founder of HM A powerful connectivity solution can if composites are used in the structures Planey Consultants in Alexandria, Vir- deliver offerings for IFEC that may not that directly support the passenger’s ginia. “American Airlines has gone to necessarily require a seat-centric sys- weight during a crash, it is vital that great lengths to remove seatback IFE tem anymore.” c

MRO14 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Operations Going the Distance How far will airlines AAR travel for MRO?

Alex Derber London

ver the past decade, the dominant trend in airline fleet strat- Oegy has been toward larger narrowbody aircraft. Meanwhile, aircraft manufacturers have extended the range of their single-aisle lines, opening the door for low-cost and other carriers to pursue more distant markets and longer, thinner routes than in the past. Norwegian’s transatlantic services are a prime example, and while that Component shops can attract repair volumes from more distant customers airline’s finances remain somewhat pre- than narrowbody airframe MRO providers. carious, other carriers are following in its wake. JetBlue Airways, for instance, SR Technics is building a narrow- geographically diverse choice of main- intends to launch transatlantic flights body maintenance facility with a six- tenance providers. with Airbus A321neo aircraft. As this bay hangar in Malta, well-located to “With an influx of low-cost, wide- market develops, it will affect where attract customers from Europe, the body maintenance providers in Asia MRO is done. Middle East and Africa, as well as entering the MRO market over the last “from farther afield for lease transi- 10 years, we have seen an increase in BASE MAINTENANCE tions,” says O’Regan. MRO activity in the APAC region,” ob- To date, narrowbody base mainte - Vilnius, Lithuania-based FL Tech- serves Sartain. nance has been confined largely to the nics usually attracts narrowbody cus- That said, there is some evidence that home regions or continents of their tomers within a 3-hr. flying time, but Western airlines are bringing widebody operators, with U.S. carriers very un- this can extend up to 7 hr. during busy heavy maintenance back closer to home likely to choose European hangars and periods, says CEO Zilvinas Lapinskas. as the labor cost advantages of Asian vice-versa. On the other hand, “wide- “Slots in the maintenance season are providers continue to erode. body maintenance will occur anywhere scarce, which has led to us attracting globally, determined primarily by labor clients from farther afield,” he says. LINE MAINTENANCE costs,” says Brian Sartain, senior vice This important point, echoed by other The nature of line maintenance means president of repair and engineering maintenance providers, illustrates how it needs to be performed close to the services for AAR. the choice of MRO provider is not al- customer, although several MRO com- The primarily regional market for ways dictated solely by price, quality, panies have expanded their reach in narrowbody heavy checks mainly is a turnaround time and proximity, but this field by establishing facilities in function of the cost of ferry flights, a de- also by what capacity is available. new markets or by buying foreign pro- sire to coordinate maintenance locations “Increasingly limited MRO capac- viders. Most also offer roving aircraft- with short-to-medium-haul networks ity sometimes is forcing customers to on-ground (AOG) and mobile mainte- and schedules and, in some cases, the book slots well in advance with more nance teams, which give them a wider range of the aircraft themselves. local regional providers to avoid hav- geographical footprint. “We expect the narrowbody market ing to travel longer distances to secure “Providing [line and base mainte- to stay largely unchanged in terms of maintenance slots,” says O’Regan. nance] allows SR Technics maintenance where maintenance is provided due to However, an opposing dynamic is teams to appreciate the importance of the route structure of the airlines re- that newer-generation narrowbod- an effective recovery of an AOG event for maining largely stable,” says Sartain. ies often require fewer maintenance one of our customers and demonstrates Conor O’Regan, vice president of sales manhours and allow longer intervals. the quality of our services to more dis- for Europe at SR Technics, backs up this “Thus flying longer ranges for mainte- tant customers, encouraging them to point. “Ferry flight and equipment costs nance events is less likely to be cost- consider our Malta facility for heavy up to mid-distance MRO facilities are effective for customers,” he says. maintenance business,” says O’Regan. economical, but ferrying narrowbody The situation is very different for Lapinskas agrees that mobile aircraft toward the limits of their range widebodies, for which global route teams allow an MRO provider to dem- to secure lower-cost maintenance be- networks and longer turnaround onstrate its abilities to a wider array comes much less economical.” times mean airlines have a far more of customers, although it is difficult

MRO16 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Operations to draw a direct link between mobile teams and subsequent heavy maintenance contracts.

Going the Distance COMPONENT AND AAR How far will airlines AAR ENGINE MAINTENANCE “Component shops can attract repair travel for MRO? volumes from more distant customers, where the MRO has regular and efficient Alex Derber London trade lanes established intra-regionally, coupled with competitive and reliable ver the past decade, the domi- turnaround times,” says O’Regan. nant trend in airline fleet strat- Sartain notes that component main- Oegy has been toward larger nar- tenance is usually restricted to an air- rowbody aircraft. Meanwhile, aircraft line’s home operating region, although manufacturers have extended the range exceptions are made for items such as of their single-aisle lines, opening the gearboxes and APUs, for which he says Airlines are sometimes willing to consider more distant MROs for servicing door for low-cost and other carriers to there is a “global market.” specialty items like APUs. pursue more distant markets and longer, One trend encouraging this has been thinner routes than in the past. the development of pooling programs, nics’ CFM56 and PW4000 maintenance and quality are the main factors.” Norwegian’s transatlantic services in which participating airlines draw a services at its Zurich engine center. Again, these days an important are a prime example, and while that Component shops can attract repair volumes from more distant customers replacement part from a nearby distri- Lapinskas agrees: “Engine mainte- factor is availability. For while newer, airline’s finances remain somewhat pre- than narrowbody airframe MRO providers. bution center and send off the old part nance depends on the scope of the work longer-range aircraft and the spread carious, other carriers are following in for repair anywhere in the world before that needs to be done—minor repairs of long-haul, low-cost carriers might its wake. JetBlue Airways, for instance, SR Technics is building a narrow- geographically diverse choice of main- it returns to the pool. could be within truck-driving distance not be redrawing the boundaries of the intends to launch transatlantic flights body maintenance facility with a six- tenance providers. Most MRO providers agree that the of the mechanic performing on- or near- maintenance market just yet, the avail- with Airbus A321neo aircraft. As this bay hangar in Malta, well-located to “With an influx of low-cost, wide- market for engine repairs is worldwide, wing maintenance. Major work is not ability of hangar and workshop slots is market develops, it will affect where attract customers from Europe, the body maintenance providers in Asia with O’Regan citing a global customer that sensitive to transportation costs; likely to push some carriers into the MRO is done. Middle East and Africa, as well as entering the MRO market over the last base from all continents for SR Tech- availability, timing, turnaround time arms of more distant providers. c “from farther afield for lease transi- 10 years, we have seen an increase in BASE MAINTENANCE tions,” says O’Regan. MRO activity in the APAC region,” ob- To date, narrowbody base mainte - Vilnius, Lithuania-based FL Tech- serves Sartain. nance has been confined largely to the nics usually attracts narrowbody cus- That said, there is some evidence that home regions or continents of their tomers within a 3-hr. flying time, but Western airlines are bringing widebody operators, with U.S. carriers very un- this can extend up to 7 hr. during busy heavy maintenance back closer to home likely to choose European hangars and periods, says CEO Zilvinas Lapinskas. as the labor cost advantages of Asian vice-versa. On the other hand, “wide- “Slots in the maintenance season are providers continue to erode. 6,000+ 200+ 70 body maintenance will occur anywhere scarce, which has led to us attracting Attendees Solution Providers Countries globally, determined primarily by labor clients from farther afield,” he says. LINE MAINTENANCE costs,” says Brian Sartain, senior vice This important point, echoed by other The nature of line maintenance means president of repair and engineering maintenance providers, illustrates how it needs to be performed close to the services for AAR. the choice of MRO provider is not al- customer, although several MRO com- All together at the region’s largest The primarily regional market for ways dictated solely by price, quality, panies have expanded their reach in narrowbody heavy checks mainly is a turnaround time and proximity, but this field by establishing facilities in event dedicated to aircraft MRO! function of the cost of ferry flights, a de- also by what capacity is available. new markets or by buying foreign pro- sire to coordinate maintenance locations “Increasingly limited MRO capac- viders. Most also offer roving aircraft- with short-to-medium-haul networks ity sometimes is forcing customers to on-ground (AOG) and mobile mainte- and schedules and, in some cases, the book slots well in advance with more nance teams, which give them a wider Co-located with range of the aircraft themselves. local regional providers to avoid hav- geographical footprint. “We expect the narrowbody market ing to travel longer distances to secure “Providing [line and base mainte- Save the Date to stay largely unchanged in terms of maintenance slots,” says O’Regan. nance] allows SR Technics maintenance where maintenance is provided due to However, an opposing dynamic is teams to appreciate the importance of Singapore the route structure of the airlines re- that newer-generation narrowbod- an effective recovery of an AOG event for maining largely stable,” says Sartain. ies often require fewer maintenance one of our customers and demonstrates September 22-24, 2020 Conor O’Regan, vice president of sales manhours and allow longer intervals. the quality of our services to more dis- for Europe at SR Technics, backs up this “Thus flying longer ranges for mainte- tant customers, encouraging them to point. “Ferry flight and equipment costs nance events is less likely to be cost- consider our Malta facility for heavy up to mid-distance MRO facilities are effective for customers,” he says. maintenance business,” says O’Regan. Book your exhibition space economical, but ferrying narrowbody The situation is very different for Lapinskas agrees that mobile To learn more about attending, sponsorship and exhibiting aircraft toward the limits of their range widebodies, for which global route teams allow an MRO provider to dem- visit us at mroasia.aviationweek.com to secure lower-cost maintenance be- networks and longer turnaround onstrate its abilities to a wider array comes much less economical.” times mean airlines have a far more of customers, although it is difficult

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lockchain requires scale to fully realize accurate and wide-ranging predictive mainte- its benefi ts, but the aftermarket can still nance, potentially reducing the cost of dollar- reap value from its early development. per-fl ight-hour maintenance contracts. If im- Although the core benefi ts of digitization plemented at scale, distributed ledgers would for the aviation aftermarket are well under- also mean airlines could react more quickly to stood and widely accepted, there is far less airworthiness directives and service bulletins consensus about the present utility of block- by showing regulators at a glance which air- chain—one of the lesser-known elements of craft in their fl eet were a ected. digital transformation. The PwC analysis also points to e ciencies For example, Airbus and Lufthansa Technik in line and heavy maintenance. This might re- are reserving judgment on distributed ledger sult from something as simple as a mechanic technology—not because they cannot see its checking the distributed ledger for a part’s potential, rather they fear it might not be ma- status rather than performing an inspection, ture enough to address current industry issues. or more streamlined base maintenance that GE Aviation and MTU Maintenance, on the could lower turnaround times by days. other hand, are pressing ahead with a block- Gains are also predicted for parts procure- chain-based parts-tracking system that GE has ment, with airlines and MRO providers able to developed in partnership with Microsoft. use the blockchain to view real-time locations One of the key goals for blockchain in the of specifi c parts’ serial numbers. This would aviation aftermarket is the elimination of re- reduce the need for resellers of parts and their dundant data reconciliation activities, so data associated commissions, thereby simplifying can be entered just once into a single distrib- the supply chain. uted ledger. In contrast, each company in to- “Operationally accurate, timely and consen- day’s aviation supply chain enters that data sus-validated data can be used to reduce oper- separately on its own internal server. ating costs directly, including the high cost of “Consequently, companies engaged in part replacement arbitration and ‘middle-man shared business activities have to devote con- upcharging,’” PwC partner Rachel Sealy says. siderable sta resources and time to checking that they all are using the same data in their CRRENT DEEOPMENT respective internal databases, and then recon- GE Aviation’s blockchain tracks GE engine ciling the data items if any discrepancies are parts from initial installation through the found,” says Peter McBurney, head of technol- end of a component’s lifetime. Although the ogy consulting for Europe, the Middle East system is still in development, initial industry and Asia at law fi rm Norton Rose Fulbright. partner MTU Maintenance says GE Aviation’s The burden of such reconciliation can blockchain has already helped it release $10 contribute to airlines sticking with a main- million in unsettled cash from revenue-shar- tenance provider or OEM service because of ing reconciliation. the amount of accumulated data residing with However, such successes must be viewed in it and the desire to preserve the integrity of context. GE Aviation’s distributed ledger may that information. However, if that data were be the most advanced in the marketplace to- accurate and readily available to all parties, it day, but it is still in its infancy. There are still might reduce barriers to entry for other MRO signifi cant hurdles to overcome before block- providers and thereby increase competition. chain becomes ubiquitous enough to fully real- PwC estimates that blockchain technology ize the e ciencies noted above. could cut MRO costs by about $3.5 billion per That said, development must start some- year. This might be achieved by feeding the where. And some observers believe there is technology into other aspects of digitization, still value in initially small ledgers. “Critical notably data analytics, predictive maintenance mass is key, but the tipping point is not as and the digital-twin concept pioneered by cer- far down the inventory records as may be tain engine OEMs and other large MRO provid- perceived,” Sealy says. “A plane, depending ers. One idea is that blockchain-enabled access on the platform, may have upward of 500,000 to aircraft confi gurations as well as complete parts, of which maybe 5,000 are of interest EAIS parts histories and statuses will allow more to carriers.”

MRO1 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Technology o sol onsier sin loain in MRO

MRO1 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Technology

Furthermore, a distributed Not all organizations that ledger can grow organically if touch a part need to be on the OEMs add newly built parts to blockchain: gaps in a service it—especially if existing parts history can be filled when the part is handled by a company and their histories are added that does have access. during maintenance events. To that end, PwC advocates its valuable information at for technicians’ certification risk,” he says. information and parts trace- Another technical issue ability as prerequisites to in- concerns revocation of ac- cluding a part in a blockchain. cess rights, the granting of limited-duration access and PARTICIPATION the ability to assign those Within an aviation aftermar- rights to others. “Managing ket application such as parts- dynamic access rights in de- tracking and record-keeping, LUFTHANSA TECHNIK centralized systems is still the usefulness of a distributed ledger data and coordinating their actions a challenging problem in computer increases in step with the number of over that data.” science, and standard, proven frame- parties that adopt it. works for this area are still under de- “The unique selling point of this tech- DATA SHARING velopment,” McBurney says. nology is creating trust between mul- Greater collaboration between air- tiple organizations without significant lines, OEMs and maintenance provid- FUTURE CONSOLIDATION interaction between them,” says Will ers is viewed as a long-term benefit of In addition to the GE system outlined Alete, counsel and aviation lawyer for blockchain, but those parties will want above, other OEMs and information Norton Rose Fulbright. “And to achieve to keep certain information off of a dis- technology companies are developing this may require a significant part of tributed ledger. The cost of equipment distributed ledgers for the aviation af- the industry to be utilizing the technol- and maintenance tasks is one example; termarket. However, the nature of the ogy to demonstrate that the benefit is another is data that feeds into the pre- technology lends itself to collabora- actually being realized.” dictive maintenance models that OEMs tion—not competition. That means in- Alete’s point is echoed by many and MROs are increasingly using to en- dustry partnerships are widely viewed within the aviation industry who argue hance their customer offerings. as the way forward for blockchain. that limited participation in blockchain “MROs can keep the data that could “There is a rush of one-off block- offers little value if the goal is to provide reveal methods and metrics from the chain providers developing solutions,” complete back-to-birth records. Howev- rest of the chain participants,” says says Sealy. She believes that over time er, while PwC agrees that the best block- Sealy. “Further, the data from the ac- there will be consolidation among chain is one with many participants, it tual MRO task cards does not need blockchain providers in the aftermar- still sees benefits for early adopters. to be loaded, unless there is value to ket, with the most trusted parties from “Simply put, the data does not have to be gained by doing so.” Instead, PwC a data quality perspective emerging as be 100% populated—or even 5%—for argues that the most useful data is the likeliest winners. early adopters to gain value from a that which shows the intersection of “The winning companies, and there blockchain-based solution,” Sealy says. “planes, parts, people and places.” will be more than one, will be the ones She gives the example of an MRO However, delineating data in this that design to leverage the advantag- company that repairs a part without way is not always simple, with the es of automating trust without being loading the repair event on the block- value of certain information changing perceived as tipping the scales in their chain. Later, the part is installed by an according to the party that sees it. [own] favor,” Sealy says. airline that is party to the ledger, which “OEMs are extremely protective of In the interim, there may still be records that event as a link in the chain the data applicable to their equipment value in disparate ledgers due to the as well as any missing history. and are particularly sensitive to third- interoperability of data, McBurney “Blockchain ledgers are self-healing party providers using that informa- notes. And it is already possible to in that if a part record gets updated a tion to compete,” says Alete. “Equally, transfer data between different block- day, a week or even a month later, that operators do not want to find that key chains or shared databases, he adds. ‘dark’ portion of its history is now ‘en- information on how their fleet is man- “The technology platforms under- lightened,’” Sealy says. aged or performing is becoming avail- lying distributed ledgers are still im- “Certainly, shared ledgers are of able to competitors.” mature and hence quite fluid,” he says. most value if every entity in a chain Alete also observes that many exist- “The major platforms are working with of custody or a chain of ownership is ing copyright and trade secret regula- one another to facilitate automated data part of the consortium running the led- tions were not devised with technolo- transfer between different ledgers.” ger,” McBurney says. “However, even gies such as distributed ledgers in For now, it appears that an industry- if everyone in a chain is not signed up, mind. “Until a party has clarity on wide blockchain system is still some others may find value in sharing their this, it will always be reluctant to put years away. c

MRO20 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Technology DISCOVER ANALYZE Furthermore, a distributed Not all organizations that PLAN ledger can grow organically if touch a part need to be on the OEMs add newly built parts to blockchain: gaps in a service FORECAST it—especially if existing parts history can be filled when the part is handled by a company and their histories are added that does have access. during maintenance events. To that end, PwC advocates its valuable information at for technicians’ certification risk,” he says. information and parts trace- Another technical issue ability as prerequisites to in- concerns revocation of ac- cluding a part in a blockchain. cess rights, the granting of limited-duration access and PARTICIPATION the ability to assign those Within an aviation aftermar- rights to others. “Managing ket application such as parts- dynamic access rights in de- tracking and record-keeping, LUFTHANSA TECHNIK centralized systems is still the usefulness of a distributed ledger data and coordinating their actions a challenging problem in computer increases in step with the number of over that data.” science, and standard, proven frame- parties that adopt it. works for this area are still under de- “The unique selling point of this tech- DATA SHARING velopment,” McBurney says. nology is creating trust between mul- Greater collaboration between air- tiple organizations without significant lines, OEMs and maintenance provid- FUTURE CONSOLIDATION interaction between them,” says Will ers is viewed as a long-term benefit of In addition to the GE system outlined Alete, counsel and aviation lawyer for blockchain, but those parties will want above, other OEMs and information Predictive Intelligence Norton Rose Fulbright. “And to achieve to keep certain information off of a dis- technology companies are developing this may require a significant part of tributed ledger. The cost of equipment distributed ledgers for the aviation af- the industry to be utilizing the technol- and maintenance tasks is one example; termarket. However, the nature of the ogy to demonstrate that the benefit is another is data that feeds into the pre- technology lends itself to collabora- to Drive Results actually being realized.” dictive maintenance models that OEMs tion—not competition. That means in- Alete’s point is echoed by many and MROs are increasingly using to en- dustry partnerships are widely viewed within the aviation industry who argue hance their customer offerings. as the way forward for blockchain. that limited participation in blockchain “MROs can keep the data that could “There is a rush of one-off block- offers little value if the goal is to provide reveal methods and metrics from the chain providers developing solutions,” complete back-to-birth records. Howev- rest of the chain participants,” says says Sealy. She believes that over time er, while PwC agrees that the best block- Sealy. “Further, the data from the ac- there will be consolidation among With Aviation Week Network’s 2020 Fleet & MRO Forecast, chain is one with many participants, it tual MRO task cards does not need blockchain providers in the aftermar- still sees benefits for early adopters. to be loaded, unless there is value to ket, with the most trusted parties from gain a 10-year outlook to minimize risk and maximize revenue. “Simply put, the data does not have to be gained by doing so.” Instead, PwC a data quality perspective emerging as be 100% populated—or even 5%—for argues that the most useful data is the likeliest winners. • Fleets, trends, and projections early adopters to gain value from a that which shows the intersection of “The winning companies, and there blockchain-based solution,” Sealy says. “planes, parts, people and places.” will be more than one, will be the ones • Predictive view of market share She gives the example of an MRO However, delineating data in this that design to leverage the advantag- company that repairs a part without way is not always simple, with the es of automating trust without being • MRO future demand loading the repair event on the block- value of certain information changing perceived as tipping the scales in their chain. Later, the part is installed by an according to the party that sees it. [own] favor,” Sealy says. Take your business to the next level. airline that is party to the ledger, which “OEMs are extremely protective of In the interim, there may still be records that event as a link in the chain the data applicable to their equipment value in disparate ledgers due to the as well as any missing history. and are particularly sensitive to third- interoperability of data, McBurney “Blockchain ledgers are self-healing party providers using that informa- notes. And it is already possible to For more information, visit in that if a part record gets updated a tion to compete,” says Alete. “Equally, transfer data between different block- day, a week or even a month later, that operators do not want to find that key chains or shared databases, he adds. aviationweek.com/forecasts ‘dark’ portion of its history is now ‘en- information on how their fleet is man- “The technology platforms under- or call 866.857.0148 lightened,’” Sealy says. aged or performing is becoming avail- lying distributed ledgers are still im- “Certainly, shared ledgers are of able to competitors.” mature and hence quite fluid,” he says. or +1.847.763.9147 most value if every entity in a chain Alete also observes that many exist- “The major platforms are working with Available for: of custody or a chain of ownership is ing copyright and trade secret regula- one another to facilitate automated data part of the consortium running the led- tions were not devised with technolo- transfer between different ledgers.” COMMERCIAL ger,” McBurney says. “However, even gies such as distributed ledgers in For now, it appears that an industry- MILITARY if everyone in a chain is not signed up, mind. “Until a party has clarity on wide blockchain system is still some others may find value in sharing their this, it will always be reluctant to put years away. c BUSINESS HELICOPTER MRO20 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Engineered

in part from a failed acquisition, as well Casting About as a spat with an activist investor and continued divestitures and restructuring. On Jan. 27, Arconic announced it for Change expects to split into two companies on April 1, an aluminum rolling company Aerospace customers know little about casting and a mostly aerospace-focused busi- giants Arconic and PCC besides their rising ness to be called Howmet Aerospace, an homage to the former Howmet prices, turning attention toward a new competitor Castings bought by Alcoa in 2000. Yet additional layoffs are possible Michael Bruno Washington because of the MAX production halt, according to Arconic Chairman and efore production of Boeing’s There are smaller companies, one of CEO John Plant. “My expectation is 737 MAX was halted and the which—Consolidated Precision Prod- that we will actually be reducing head Baircraft type grounded, aero- ucts (CPP)—is seen as an up-and- count,” he told an earnings teleconfer- space manufacturing had only one comer. But each has had its own issues, ence, also citing other actions such as real bogeyman: investment casting, according to industry sources, and are partially paid vacation for workers and the metal-forming for engine blades expected to continue to face challenges production shift changes. More infor- and other aircraft parts. in meeting demand. At the same time, mation is likely to be forthcoming at a

A casual search on YouTube finds ARCONIC numerous videos showing the com- plexities of castings, whether using Additively manufactured polymer patterns used the investment or sand processes. to cast aero-engine parts at what is now Arconic. The practices require skilled labor experienced both in the science of the 5,000-year-old process as well as the art of applying it to new aerospace programs such as next-generation engine programs. The learning curve is enormous. On a mature product line, even a high- performing process can see 5% of a production yield thrown away. On new programs, it is not unheard of for half to be discarded in the beginning. Barriers to entry in the business are high, and industrial capacity remains limited due in part to capital-intensive demands. Castings have been a well- known choke point for growth in com- they also are enjoying their oligopoly Feb. 25 investor briefing for the new mercial aircraft manufacturing and the positions and raising prices. Howmet and Arconic. aftermarket business for years. Some For one thing, industry sources say Indeed, according to AeroDynamic industry executives and advisors have public communication from market Managing Director Kevin Michaels, thought that with the MAX slowdown, leaders Arconic and PCC has become Tier 4 raw material and forging and there might be some relief from recent almost nonexistent in recent years. casting suppliers all will be affected by castings issues. So what has happened? “The communications have shut down the MAX halt. Moody’s Investors Ser- “Those challenges remain,” says on both companies,” says one industry vice surmised PCC derives more than Glenn McDonald, a senior associate at advisor. “It’s hard to get anything.” 10% of its revenue from the MAX. AeroDynamic Advisory, a consulting PCC was acquired by Berkshire While PCC’s financial results are un- firm focused on the global aerospace Hathaway, the giant investment group known, as they are no longer publicly and aviation industries. “It does seem led by Warren Buffett, in January 2016, reported, Arconic’s 2019 financial re- to still be an issue.” Relief for the rest essentially turning it from a publicly sults also are nebulous because there of industry is not expected in the near traded and publicly accountable com- are “lots of moving parts” in the com- term; in fact, the situation might be- pany to a private asset. pany, executives admit. Still, the to-be come harder for casting customers. Arconic, meanwhile, has been suf- Howmet aerospace division reported The aerospace castings sector, a fering corporate turmoil. In November revenue of $1.7 billion for 2019, up 1% roughly $10 billion industry, is domi- 2016, Arconic split off from Alcoa but year-over-year. Organic revenue was nated by two leading providers: Ar- then saw three CEOs in as many years up 2%, driven by aerospace growth. conic and Precision Castparts (PCC). due to disappointing financial results, A major reason behind the growth

MRO22 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Engineered in part from a failed acquisition, as well is that Arconic con- ARCONIC nected to Berkshire Casting About as a spat with an activist investor and tinues to raise prices Hathaway). While continued divestitures and restructur- for its products, par- terms of the deal ing. On Jan. 27, Arconic announced it ticularly for aero - were not disclosed, ReliableReliable News,News, for Change expects to split into two companies on space customers. In Moody’s says CPP April 1, an aluminum rolling company 2019, the aerospace is now majority- ConciseConcise FormatFormat Aerospace customers know little about casting and a mostly aerospace-focused busi- division—currently owned in equal parts giants Arconic and PCC besides their rising ness to be called Howmet Aerospace, called Engineered by Warburg and an homage to the former Howmet Products and Forg- Berkshire. prices, turning attention toward a new competitor Castings bought by Alcoa in 2000. ings—tallied $78 mil- The company is Yet additional layoffs are possible lion in price increases believed to have hit Michael Bruno Washington because of the MAX production halt, compared with 2018. the $1 billion reve - What was Alcoa and then Arconic according to Arconic Chairman and “We expect favor- nue milestone. Com- will be Howmet Aerospace start- efore production of Boeing’s There are smaller companies, one of CEO John Plant. “My expectation is able pricing to con- mercial aerospace is ing April 1. Its logo is inspired by 737 MAX was halted and the which—Consolidated Precision Prod- that we will actually be reducing head tinue,” says Arconic the two halves of a forging die responsible for two- Baircraft type grounded, aero- ucts (CPP)—is seen as an up-and- count,” he told an earnings teleconfer- Chief Financial Of- and the cavity of an investment thirds of annual sales, space manufacturing had only one comer. But each has had its own issues, ence, also citing other actions such as ficer Ken Giacobbe. cast mold. and the company real bogeyman: investment casting, according to industry sources, and are partially paid vacation for workers and At the same time, continues to expand. the metal-forming for engine blades expected to continue to face challenges production shift changes. More infor- the company finished investing in ex- “Notwithstanding the company’s and other aircraft parts. in meeting demand. At the same time, mation is likely to be forthcoming at a pansion of aerospace rings and forged small size, we believe there continue

A casual search on YouTube finds ARCONIC wheel production capacity and now to be growth opportunities for CPP numerous videos showing the com- expects a return on those investments. (as evidenced by recent business wins plexities of castings, whether using Additively manufactured polymer patterns used Industry sources say PCC is also and a growing backlog), driven in large the investment or sand processes. to cast aero-engine parts at what is now Arconic. raising its prices, yet both companies part by ongoing engine OEM efforts to The practices require skilled labor continue to be challenged delivering to minimize and diversify supply chain SpeedNews is the source experienced both in the science of the aerospace customers such as engine risk by using dual or triple-sourced for relevant insights, news 5,000-year-old process as well as the OEMs. “[There are] the usual things suppliers,” Moody’s says in a Dec. 27 and information powering art of applying it to new aerospace about poor delivery performance and report. commercial aviation. programs such as next-generation quality issues from Arconic, with all CPP further has made “consider- engine programs. the struggles and operational issues able” investment in manufacturing ca- Sent electronically, top The learning curve is enormous. they are going through,” says one pabilities, particularly around DS/sin- executives rely on its On a mature product line, even a high- source. PCC, meanwhile, is restrained gle-crystal technologies, according to unique, quick-read performing process can see 5% of a by capacity and “struggling to meet credit rating analysts. “We view these format to: production yield thrown away. On new the ramp-up in delivery targets,” par- investments as having facilitated mean- programs, it is not unheard of for half ticularly for narrowbody engines. ingful content wins on next-generation to be discarded in the beginning. Not surprisingly, the aerospace in- engine platforms, and the acquisitions ➤ Monitor your Barriers to entry in the business are dustry is hungry for more castings of Selmet and Pacific Cast Technologies competition. high, and industrial capacity remains providers to both disrupt the top two (both of which add titanium to the com- limited due in part to capital-intensive suppliers and also meet long-term pany’s product capabilities) are deemed ➤ Uncover new business demands. Castings have been a well- commercial aircraft demands. In turn, to have helped further improve its com- opportunities. known choke point for growth in com- they also are enjoying their oligopoly Feb. 25 investor briefing for the new many industry observers see hope in petitive standing and support future ➤ Connect and network mercial aircraft manufacturing and the positions and raising prices. Howmet and Arconic. CPP, the private-equity-backed Cleve- business wins.,” says Moody’s. aftermarket business for years. Some For one thing, industry sources say Indeed, according to AeroDynamic land company that is rolling up sand Last July, CPP announced a new with industry leaders. industry executives and advisors have public communication from market Managing Director Kevin Michaels, casting and other assets and working advanced manufacturing facility in thought that with the MAX slowdown, leaders Arconic and PCC has become Tier 4 raw material and forging and on newer directionally solidified (DS)/ Euclid, Ohio. It will result in a new 2 there might be some relief from recent almost nonexistent in recent years. casting suppliers all will be affected by single-crystal castings technology. 135,000-ft. facility and 120 new man- Discover Leads castings issues. So what has happened? “The communications have shut down the MAX halt. Moody’s Investors Ser- Founded in 1991, CPP now compris- ufacturing and engineering jobs, ac- “Those challenges remain,” says on both companies,” says one industry vice surmised PCC derives more than es 19 global facilities manufacturing cording to representatives. Win Deals Glenn McDonald, a senior associate at advisor. “It’s hard to get anything.” 10% of its revenue from the MAX. products for the aerospace, defense Like Arconic and PCC, CPP holds its Grow Your Business AeroDynamic Advisory, a consulting PCC was acquired by Berkshire While PCC’s financial results are un- and industrial gas turbine markets. proverbial cards close to its vest. But firm focused on the global aerospace Hathaway, the giant investment group known, as they are no longer publicly CPP makes engine housings, gear- based on what is being said publicly, and aviation industries. “It does seem led by Warren Buffett, in January 2016, reported, Arconic’s 2019 financial re- boxes, front frames, shrouds, panels, more competition can be expected. Learn More at to still be an issue.” Relief for the rest essentially turning it from a publicly sults also are nebulous because there fairings, blades and vanes. Its defense “Our new relationship with Berkshire aviationweek.com/speednews of industry is not expected in the near traded and publicly accountable com- are “lots of moving parts” in the com- work also includes missile bodies and Partners and ongoing partnership with term; in fact, the situation might be- pany to a private asset. pany, executives admit. Still, the to-be other structural components to sup- Warburg Pincus will enable us to fur- come harder for casting customers. Arconic, meanwhile, has been suf- Howmet aerospace division reported port munitions. ther build upon the success we have The aerospace castings sector, a fering corporate turmoil. In November revenue of $1.7 billion for 2019, up 1% The company was majority-owned achieved,” says CPP CEO James Stew- roughly $10 billion industry, is domi- 2016, Arconic split off from Alcoa but year-over-year. Organic revenue was by Warburg Pincus from 2011 un- art. “Both firms are growth-oriented nated by two leading providers: Ar- then saw three CEOs in as many years up 2%, driven by aerospace growth. til last June, when it sold a stake to and have deep expertise in the aero- conic and Precision Castparts (PCC). due to disappointing financial results, A major reason behind the growth Berkshire Partners (which is not con- space and defense sectors.” c

MRO22 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 MRO23 MRO Engine Analysis The Trent 900’s Future Trent-powered A380s will round out the model’s 20-year production run and generate steady MRO demand

Sean Broderick Washington he imminent end of Airbus A380 production combined aircraft. The plan means its long-term fleet will be a mix of with a soft secondary market sets up an interesting both engine types. Tproduct-support story for suppliers. While some opera- Qantas, another Trent 900 operator, debuted its upgraded tors are cutting back, others plan to keep flying the A380s A380 cabin last fall and plans to have all 12 refurbished and they have, which will create ongoing demand for maintenance. flying by 2021. But the absence of second-hand demand means parked A380s While no more A380s will be delivered after Emirates will be used to support the in-service fleet, which is expected takes its final eight and All Nippon Airways takes one by to reduce demand for new parts. mid-2021, investments made by several operators com- The market is particularly murky for the A380’s two en- bined with having nearly two years of production to it- gine suppliers: Engine Al- self means Rolls faces liance (EA), the GE-Pratt Rolls-Royce-Powered A380 Fleet at a Glance perhaps two decades & Whitney joint venture, of ongoing support. and Rolls-Royce. Engine Operator In Service On Order Average Age High-pressure turbine Alliance is in product- All Nippon Airways 2 1 0.8 blades have been rede- support mode, as the last signed to provide better GP7200-powered A380 Asiana Airlines 6 0 4.8 durability, with further was delivered in early British Airways 12 0 5.8 enhancements—includ- 2018. As of Feb. 1, Rolls ing “design changes China had the remaining back- 5 0 8.2 and manufacturing im- log of nine A380s—they Southern Airlines provements”—slated to are being built at the rate Emirates 25 8 2.4 be introduced this year, of six per year. The in- the OEM says. service fleet’s breakdown Hi Fly Malta 1 0 13.2 Rolls also made the indicated 108 Rolls-pow- Lufthansa 14 0 8.3 best of the idle ex-Sin- ered aircraft, compared gapore airframes, leas- to 129 with EA engines, Malaysia Airlines 6 0 7.7 ing all 16 engines from Aviation Week Fleet Data Qantas Airways 12 0 10.4 Dr. Peters to help sup- Services show. port the in-service fleet. Both engine OEMs Singapore Airlines 19 0 7.7 Despite the two stored are seeing retirements. Thai Airways 6 0 7.2 airframes having been Singapore Airlines has idle since June and returned five Trent-pow- 108 9 6.4 October 2018, respec- ered A380s to lessors. Note: Lessor Dr. Peters has two Rolls-powered A380s in storage and is parting out two others. tively, Dr. Peters has not Four belonged to Dr. given up hope. “We are Source: Aviation Week Network Fleet Data Services Peters—two are being still exploring all avail- parted out, and two more are in storage. The fifth, owned by able options to successfully place those two aircraft in the Doric, is on lease to charter specialist Hi Fly. market [and] looking at the best value proposition for our Air France is phasing out its 10 EA-powered A380s by investors,” a Dr. Peters representative says. 2022, citing the outsize challenge they present in scheduling Even if the airframes do not move, their powerplants as well as reliability issues as primary drivers. Air France-KLM should see plenty of work. Aviation Week’s MRO Prospector CEO Ben Smith also cited investments that European com- projects 144 Trent 900 overhauls will be conducted across petitors British Airways and Lufthansa have made in their the 10-operator fleet over the next three years, roughly A380 interiors as a factor. Air France faced costs of about divided evenly within each 12-month period. Information $4 million per A380 to bring them up to the airline’s current from Aviation Week Fleet Data Services indicates that the standard—money it ultimately decided to spend elsewhere. average Trent-powered A380 is just more than six years Emirates, which operates 114 of the 240 A380s in service old (see table), suggesting many have not undergone their or storage, including 25 Trent-powered ones, will retire first engine shop visits, which take place every 6-7 years, some of its double-decker airliners and invest in others. Cab- depending on an operator’s mission profile. in upgrades are in the cards, and a new premium-economy Even factoring in early retirements—Air France’s fleet will class is expected to make its debut on an A380 delivered average slightly more than 10 years of age when the aircraft later this year. Emirates plans to keep its A380 fleet stable are parked—the A380’s fleet profile suggests many shop for several years before allowing it to decline to around 100 visits remain, particularly for the Rolls-powered fleet. c

MRO24 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Engine Analysis

March 11-12, 2020 The Trent 900’s Future Sofi tel Brisbane Trent-powered A380s will round out the model’s 20-year Queensland, Australia production run and generate steady MRO demand

Sean Broderick Washington he imminent end of Airbus A380 production combined aircraft. The plan means its long-term fleet will be a mix of with a soft secondary market sets up an interesting both engine types. Tproduct-support story for suppliers. While some opera- Qantas, another Trent 900 operator, debuted its upgraded tors are cutting back, others plan to keep flying the A380s A380 cabin last fall and plans to have all 12 refurbished and MRO IN AUSTRALASIA they have, which will create ongoing demand for maintenance. flying by 2021. But the absence of second-hand demand means parked A380s While no more A380s will be delivered after Emirates will be used to support the in-service fleet, which is expected takes its final eight and All Nippon Airways takes one by to reduce demand for new parts. mid-2021, investments made by several operators com- IS TAKING OFF – GRAB The market is particularly murky for the A380’s two en- bined with having nearly two years of production to it- gine suppliers: Engine Al- self means Rolls faces liance (EA), the GE-Pratt Rolls-Royce-Powered A380 Fleet at a Glance perhaps two decades & Whitney joint venture, of ongoing support. YOURSELF A SEAT! and Rolls-Royce. Engine Operator In Service On Order Average Age High-pressure turbine Alliance is in product- All Nippon Airways 2 1 0.8 blades have been rede- support mode, as the last signed to provide better Examine the maintenance, repair and overhaul landscape for Asiana Airlines 6 0 4.8 GP7200-powered A380 durability, with further all ﬁ xed wing aircraft; commercial, business, general and regional was delivered in early British Airways 12 0 5.8 enhancements—includ- 2018. As of Feb. 1, Rolls ing “design changes aviation and rotorcraft at the two-day conference in Brisbane. China had the remaining back- 5 0 8.2 and manufacturing im- log of nine A380s—they Southern Airlines provements”—slated to Discover more at mroaustralasia.aviationweek.com are being built at the rate Emirates 25 8 2.4 be introduced this year, of six per year. The in- the OEM says. service fleet’s breakdown Hi Fly Malta 1 0 13.2 Rolls also made the indicated 108 Rolls-pow- Lufthansa 14 0 8.3 best of the idle ex-Sin- Hear from regional experts including: ered aircraft, compared gapore airframes, leas- to 129 with EA engines, Malaysia Airlines 6 0 7.7 ing all 16 engines from Aviation Week Fleet Data Qantas Airways 12 0 10.4 Dr. Peters to help sup- Services show. port the in-service fleet. Both engine OEMs Singapore Airlines 19 0 7.7 Despite the two stored are seeing retirements. Thai Airways 6 0 7.2 airframes having been Singapore Airlines has idle since June and returned five Trent-pow- 108 9 6.4 October 2018, respec- ered A380s to lessors. Note: Lessor Dr. Peters has two Rolls-powered A380s in storage and is parting out two others. tively, Dr. Peters has not Chor Chee Paul Crawford Robin Furber Sandra James Toby Koch Andrew Four belonged to Dr. given up hope. “We are Source: Aviation Week Network Fleet Data Services Hoe Head of Base Head of Senior Manager of General Manager, Sanderson Peters—two are being still exploring all avail- Head of Maintenance – Engineering University Relations Engineering CEO and MD parted out, and two more are in storage. The fifth, owned by able options to successfully place those two aircraft in the Maintenance Qantas Engineering Tiger Airways and STEM Alliance Airlines TAE Aerospace Doric, is on lease to charter specialist Hi Fly. market [and] looking at the best value proposition for our Support & Services Qantas Australia Boeing Australia Air France is phasing out its 10 EA-powered A380s by investors,” a Dr. Peters representative says. Fireﬂ y Airlines 2022, citing the outsize challenge they present in scheduling Even if the airframes do not move, their powerplants as well as reliability issues as primary drivers. Air France-KLM should see plenty of work. Aviation Week’s MRO Prospector Host Sponsor Facility Tour Offi cial Airline Partner CEO Ben Smith also cited investments that European com- projects 144 Trent 900 overhauls will be conducted across petitors British Airways and Lufthansa have made in their the 10-operator fleet over the next three years, roughly Visit the Qantas Engineering A380 interiors as a factor. Air France faced costs of about divided evenly within each 12-month period. Information Base Maintenance facilities $4 million per A380 to bring them up to the airline’s current from Aviation Week Fleet Data Services indicates that the located at Brisbane Airport standard—money it ultimately decided to spend elsewhere. average Trent-powered A380 is just more than six years For more information visit: Emirates, which operates 114 of the 240 A380s in service old (see table), suggesting many have not undergone their mroaustralasia.aviationweek.com/tour or storage, including 25 Trent-powered ones, will retire first engine shop visits, which take place every 6-7 years, some of its double-decker airliners and invest in others. Cab- depending on an operator’s mission profile. in upgrades are in the cards, and a new premium-economy Even factoring in early retirements—Air France’s fleet will Sapphire Sponsors Sponsors class is expected to make its debut on an A380 delivered average slightly more than 10 years of age when the aircraft later this year. Emirates plans to keep its A380 fleet stable are parked—the A380’s fleet profile suggests many shop for several years before allowing it to decline to around 100 visits remain, particularly for the Rolls-powered fleet. c

MRO24 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Apps for the Aftermarket Lindsay Bjerregaard Chicago

1. Logging Cabin Damage 1 mapping and predictive analysis solutions for LRU and spare-parts portfolios. Beep Product: Interior Inspector says this will enable customers to “obtain a Specifications: Magnetic MRO’s Interior precise, near-real-time tracking capability of Inspector app was created to help cabin crew their entire aftermarket commercial opera- and maintenance teams log and share data tions, including market share, competitor about passenger-cabin damage on mobile activity and much more.” devices such as smartphones or tablets. The marketplace.aviationweek.com/ app connects found damage such as stains product/flightdeck-platform or broken seat recliners with pictures or notes that cite a specific location within the cabin. 4. Real-Time Engine MRO Data Magnetic MRO released the app last year as a service to customers and to help improve it Product: Pratt & Whitney Track is collecting data on how airlines are using it. Specifications: Pratt & Whitney is piloting a One of the latest adopters is Latvian carrier new app called Track with customers to “put SmartLynx Airlines. real-time data in the palm of their hands.” marketplace.aviationweek.com/ The app provides access to data about product/magnetic-mros-interior- spare parts, orders, component repairs and inspector-application engine overhauls, which can be filtered and searched as needed. According to Pratt & 2. Salesforce Simplicity for MRO Whitney, Track will be available in app stores 2 once the trials have been completed. Product: AvSight marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Specifications: Built on the Salesforce product/pratt-whitney-track platform with efficiency and mobility in mind, AvSight’s cloud software combines a variety 5. MRO Management Modules of aftermarket functions within one platform. With the AvSight mobile app, technicians 3 Product: Quantum Control are able to check the status of work orders, Specifications: Component Control’s parts, labor and invoicing on the go. AvSight Quantum Control platform is composed of a just released its Quote 360 module for high- wide range of modules designed to support volume aviation quoting, which integrates with key aftermarket processes such as manag- sources such as ILS and PartsBase while ing inventory, resources and MRO tasks. The enabling teams to view and perform actions company continues to advance the platform’s on all incoming RFQs. capabilities, including the addition of a new marketplace.aviationweek.com/ MobileTech app for mobility across shops and product/simplify-your-mro-and-work- worldwide locations and a Quantum Analytics order-business-avsight module for data on parts distribution, inventory, job performance and more. Quantum Control 3. Supply-Side Predictive Analytics was recently selected by TP Aerospace as part of its goal to go paperless by 2020. Product: FlightDeck marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Specifications: Beep Analytics’ FlightDeck product/quantum-control-mobility-suite platform combines a machine learning- based analysis engine with MRO simulation 6. Life-Limited Parts Management data to provide supply-side predictive analytics. FlightDeck is able to integrate with Product: Power Werks Aviation Apps companies’ legacy systems, and Beep says Specifications: Aviation software specialist it is in talks with what it calls “several major 4 Power Werks has developed several apps

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MRO26 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO

Engine Manager was created for operators to actions taken. According to FieldLogs, the Apps for the Aftermarket manage their fleets and track engines off-wing app helps MROs increase efficiency and through 24/7 access to detailed engine and technicians’ compliance while enabling faster Lindsay Bjerregaard Chicago life-limited parts (LLP) data, including LLP training and better knowledge-retention. market availability and collaborative event re- marketplace.aviationweek.com/ porting, which Power Werks says can stream- product/fieldlogs-digitalization-platform 1. Logging Cabin Damage 1 mapping and predictive analysis solutions line decisions and turn time for aircraft and for LRU and spare-parts portfolios. Beep engine events. The Cycle Value Calculator 8. Optimizing Spare Parts Product: Interior Inspector says this will enable customers to “obtain a app is used by engine shops, lessors and air- Specifications: Magnetic MRO’s Interior precise, near-real-time tracking capability of line powerplant personnel to quickly calculate Product: SPM Studio Inspector app was created to help cabin crew their entire aftermarket commercial opera- cycle value for LLP in commercial engines. Specifications: Gordian’s SPM Studio is and maintenance teams log and share data tions, including market share, competitor marketplace.aviationweek.com/ a spare parts optimization tool that enables about passenger-cabin damage on mobile activity and much more.” product/aviation-apps 6 what it calls tactical spare parts planning devices such as smartphones or tablets. The marketplace.aviationweek.com/ decisions through key features such as app connects found damage such as stains product/flightdeck-platform 7. Step-by-Step Task Guidance demand forecasting, advanced inventory or broken seat recliners with pictures or notes models and a KPI (key performance indica- that cite a specific location within the cabin. 4. Real-Time Engine MRO Data Product: FieldLogs tor) dashboard. Gordian says SPM Studio Magnetic MRO released the app last year as Specifications: Recently adapted for the can be used to distinguish between “cheap a service to customers and to help improve it Product: Pratt & Whitney Track aviation industry, FieldLogs seeks to revo- fast-movers” and “expensive slow-movers,” is collecting data on how airlines are using it. Specifications: Pratt & Whitney is piloting a lutionize digital task cards by diving much simulate parts performance and formulate One of the latest adopters is Latvian carrier new app called Track with customers to “put deeper than PDF-based instructions, instead actions for improvement. The tool, which is SmartLynx Airlines. real-time data in the palm of their hands.” providing step-by-step intelligent guidance being migrated to a web-based cloud format, marketplace.aviationweek.com/ The app provides access to data about that combines OEM instructions, experience- is used by aviation clients such as Proponent product/magnetic-mros-interior- spare parts, orders, component repairs and based knowledge, sensor data and more. and KLM Cityhopper. inspector-application engine overhauls, which can be filtered and The app enables videos and photos, digital marketplace.aviationweek.com/ LINDSAY BJERREGAARD/AW&ST searched as needed. According to Pratt & signatures, and time- and GPS-stamping of 7 product/spm-studio 2. Salesforce Simplicity for MRO Whitney, Track will be available in app stores 2 once the trials have been completed. Product: AvSight marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Specifications: Built on the Salesforce product/pratt-whitney-track platform with efficiency and mobility in mind, April 28-30, 2020 • Dallas, TX AvSight’s cloud software combines a variety 5. MRO Management Modules of aftermarket functions within one platform. With the AvSight mobile app, technicians 3 Product: Quantum Control are able to check the status of work orders, Specifications: Component Control’s parts, labor and invoicing on the go. AvSight Quantum Control platform is composed of a THE MAIN just released its Quote 360 module for high- wide range of modules designed to support volume aviation quoting, which integrates with key aftermarket processes such as manag- sources such as ILS and PartsBase while ing inventory, resources and MRO tasks. The enabling teams to view and perform actions company continues to advance the platform’s MRO EVENT on all incoming RFQs. capabilities, including the addition of a new marketplace.aviationweek.com/ MobileTech app for mobility across shops and 25 YEARS OF BRINGING THE MRO COMMUNITY TOGETHER! product/simplify-your-mro-and-work- worldwide locations and a Quantum Analytics order-business-avsight module for data on parts distribution, inventory, job performance and more. Quantum Control One-on-One New in 2020 3. Supply-Side Predictive Analytics was recently selected by TP Aerospace as with Next Up — How the new generation workforce is changing the way we do business. part of its goal to go paperless by 2020. Oscar Munoz MRO Go Live Theater in Exhibition — Industry experts take on MRO hot topics Product: FlightDeck marketplace.aviationweek.com/ CEO, United Airlines in Tech Talks! Live, interactive presentations on Blockchain, Artifi cial Intelligence, Specifications: Beep Analytics’ FlightDeck product/quantum-control-mobility-suite platform combines a machine learning- Machine Learning, Augmented Reality, Cyber Security, 3D printing and more! based analysis engine with MRO simulation 6. Life-Limited Parts Management data to provide supply-side predictive ana- Download the brochure for an lytics. FlightDeck is able to integrate with Product: Power Werks Aviation Apps companies’ legacy systems, and Beep says Specifications: Aviation software specialist interactive look at MRO Americas. Scan the QR Code or visit us online. it is in talks with what it calls “several major 4 Power Werks has developed several apps first-tier OEMs” to build extended market BJERREGAARD/AW&ST LINDSAY for suppliers, airlines, MROs and lessors. Register, Learn More! mroamericas.aviationweek.com #MROAM | Go to MROLinks.com for more information.

MRO26 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 MRO27 MRO Viewpoint By CRAIG GOTTLEIB Craig Gottlieb is the managing director in Accenture’s aerospace and defense practice, focused on innovation in aftermarket services.

tions to help resolve an aircraft-on- Applying AI to ground (AOG) event. By combining AI-driven insights Customer Service into customer profiles and known problems with information from “Airlines like you have also ordered . . . ” product life-cycle management and MRO systems, operators can unlock t is no surprise to readers of these pages that the aerospace new channels such as interactive voice and defense (A&D) aftermarket is burgeoning with invest- or online self-service tools to help I diagnose and resolve issues. This ap- ment, much of which targets new business models and services proach not only can accelerate issue to improve aircraft availability and operator value. Aftermarket resolution but also free up in-demand providers must prove how these new services will create value experts to focus on AOG and other for customers, assets and their own bottom lines. Among other critical needs. As AI gains access to more fleet, factors, this requires mastering a discipline that has not always service-bulletin, configuration and been favorably associated with MRO or the aviation after- other data, the applicability, efficacy market—customer service. and confidence in these systems can grow. Indeed, this kind of iterative Customer service has grown in available about both assets and their “prove-it-to-me” approach will be stature as businesses, including operators. Amid this bounty, however, needed to gain regulatory and com- aviation, have moved “beyond the there is a dearth of humans who can pliance approvals for more critical product sale” to capture the cus- deliver customer service at scale. AI maintenance processes. tomer lifetime value that can be cre- can fill that gap through listening to Customer service must also man- ated with services. where custom- age customers’ ongoing experience Securing lifetime ers need help, and perception of service. While af- value, the cumulative As AI gains access to brokering their termarket providers use focus groups revenue stream of a more fleet, service- path to customer and other tools, AI can automate and customer, requires a service, diagnos- more effectively organize feedback. consistent, pre- bulletin and other ing their prob- Text analytics and other tools can dictable, engaging lems, resolving aggregate views of operator sentiment and personalized data, the applica- their issues, that might previously have been lost customer experi- bility, efficacy and responding to in spreadsheet analysis of multiple- ence. Getting that gather feedback choice surveys. These insights and experience right is confidence in these and anticipating other service-event analytics can help the new mandate of future needs. drive actions that anticipate operator the customer service systems can grow. Using AI to service needs, from technical publica- function. With the monitor cus- tion updates to training refreshes to lifetime value of an aviation customer tomer service needs originates in the part removals. These actions can cre- measured in decades, aftermarket consumer realm, where social media ate long-term customer engagement providers are investing in a range of monitoring can help target customer and value. tools to craft compelling experiences. service responses. In aviation, this New aircraft deliveries, greater Among these is artificial intelligence. translates into an omnichannel ser- data availability, new service models AI is not new to our industry. vice desk where AI-enabled monitor- and workforce pressures are driv- Indeed, our research at Accenture ing can capture and acknowledge ing the need for new approaches to shows that A&D companies have requests by SMS, phone, internet or customer service. But this is not just adopted AI at a higher rate than the other channels and rapidly induct a volume problem. Operator expecta- global corporate average. Most AI them into the service broker engine. tions of the value of availability-based deployments within A&D have been AI for brokering can help guide services and aftermarket provider in product service or of high-value af- customers to the right channel and expectations of the value they will cre- termarket products such as predictive service to resolve their need quickly ate from delivering those services are analytics. The notion of employing AI and effectively. For example, a increasing. When increased expecta- to drive customer service outcomes is chatbot could be used for a line-main- tions meet growing constraints, it emergent but promising. tenance inquiry, natural language does not take an algorithm to deter- There are more aircraft in service, processing for a field representative mine new methods are needed. AI more aftermarket contracts based phone call or a direct instant-mes- is one such solution for aftermarket on aircraft availability and more data sage conversation for airline opera- customer service. c

MRO28 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Viewpoint By CRAIG GOTTLEIB MRO ADVERTISING SECTION Craig Gottlieb is the managing director in Accenture’s aerospace and defense MRO ins is an online service that connects uyers n sellers in the MRO industry. Become an MRO Links power practice, focused on innovation in after- user by registering at mrolinks.com/register. Registration is FREE, enabling you to nd hundreds of products like the market services. ones featured below and to connect with more than 8000 companies. You can create a personalized save list, learn about companies’ specialties, get contact details and request information at mrolinks.com. tions to help resolve an aircraft-on- To advertise in MRO Links, contact liet litni t or elietlitnivitioneecom Applying AI to ground (AOG) event. By combining AI-driven insights Customer Service into customer profiles and known MRO Middle East takes place in Dubai from 24-26 February 2020, gathering problems with information from the commercial aviation aftermarket for three days of big business in the region. “Airlines like you have also ordered . . . ” product life-cycle management and Co-located with AIME, the leading aircraft interiors event for the region, the whole MRO systems, operators can unlock industry is represented, with airlines, OEMs, MROs, lessors and suppliers in attendance to network, test the latest technology and discover emerging opportunities in this booming t is no surprise to readers of these pages that the aerospace new channels such as interactive voice market. The event opens on 24 February with a one day summit at the Conrad Dubai (paid or online self-service tools to help and defense (A&D) aftermarket is burgeoning with invest- event) where expert speakers will guide 150+ delegates through the latest challenges I diagnose and resolve issues. This ap- and trends of the regional MRO market. The exhibition takes place on 25-26 February at ment, much of which targets new business models and services proach not only can accelerate issue the Dubai World Trade Center, free to attend for all trade professionals. More information to improve aircraft availability and operator value. Aftermarket resolution but also free up in-demand can be found at mromiddleeast.aviationweek.com providers must prove how these new services will create value experts to focus on AOG and other for customers, assets and their own bottom lines. Among other critical needs. As AI gains access to more fleet, Visit vitioneecomevents for more information, including complete exhibitor listings and MRO Links participants! factors, this requires mastering a discipline that has not always service-bulletin, configuration and been favorably associated with MRO or the aviation after- other data, the applicability, efficacy ABLE AEROSPACE SERVICES, INC. AEROXCHANGE market—customer service. and confidence in these systems can grow. Indeed, this kind of iterative YOUR NEW SINGLE SOURCE FOR BOEING 737NG E-Commerce Supply Chain Solutions Customer service has grown in available about both assets and their “prove-it-to-me” approach will be LANDING GEAR MRO stature as businesses, including operators. Amid this bounty, however, needed to gain regulatory and com- Created by 13 aviation, have moved “beyond the there is a dearth of humans who can pliance approvals for more critical Able is now offering landing gear major global airlines, product sale” to capture the cus- deliver customer service at scale. AI maintenance processes. modifi cations, upgrades and sales Aeroxchange provides tomer lifetime value that can be cre- can fill that gap through listening to Customer service must also man- for the B737-700/-800/-900. secure electronic ated with services. where custom- age customers’ ongoing experience solutions that drive asset optimization and maximize effi ciency Securing lifetime ers need help, and perception of service. While af- Count on Able – and our decades across the aviation supply chain. Backed by airlines and trusted value, the cumulative As AI gains access to brokering their termarket providers use focus groups of commercial aircraft experience – as your single source for by OEMs, our tailored solutions offer a seamless e-commerce revenue stream of a more fleet, service- path to customer and other tools, AI can automate and B737NG landing gear MRO. experience between trading partners. customer, requires a service, diagnos- more effectively organize feedback. consistent, pre- bulletin and other ing their prob- Text analytics and other tools can Also Coming Soon from Able: B737 Landing Gear Exchanges!! dictable, engaging lems, resolving aggregate views of operator sentiment and personalized data, the applica- their issues, that might previously have been lost www.ableengineering.com www.aeroxchange.com https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.aviation- customer experi- responding to in spreadsheet analysis of multiple- Maintenance, Repair bility, efficacy and com/product/your-new-single-source- week.com/product/e-commerce- ence. Getting that gather feedback choice surveys. These insights and & Overhaul • Engines/ Engine Systems boeing-737ng-landing-gear-mro Technology • Software supply-chain-solutions experience right is confidence in these and anticipating other service-event analytics can help the new mandate of systems can grow. future needs. drive actions that anticipate operator the customer service Using AI to service needs, from technical publica- AIRMARK CORPORATION AIRWORTHY, INC. function. With the monitor cus- tion updates to training refreshes to lifetime value of an aviation customer tomer service needs originates in the part removals. These actions can cre- NATIONAL LEADER IN AIRCRAFT MARKING SYSTEMS Floor to Ceiling - Complete Interior Solutions measured in decades, aftermarket consumer realm, where social media ate long-term customer engagement providers are investing in a range of monitoring can help target customer and value. Your partner for stenciling Airworthy, Inc. specializes tools to craft compelling experiences. service responses. In aviation, this New aircraft deliveries, greater and labeling in the in manufacturing and repair Among these is artificial intelligence. translates into an omnichannel ser- data availability, new service models aerospace industry. AirMark of aircraft interiors including AI is not new to our industry. vice desk where AI-enabled monitor- and workforce pressures are driv- printing and cutting systems fl ooring, side walls, overhead Indeed, our research at Accenture ing can capture and acknowledge ing the need for new approaches to offer innovative solutions bins, bin doors, monuments and shows that A&D companies have requests by SMS, phone, internet or customer service. But this is not just for all interior and exterior lav doors. As we celebrate 20 adopted AI at a higher rate than the other channels and rapidly induct a volume problem. Operator expecta- aircraft graphic applications. years of service, we continue global corporate average. Most AI them into the service broker engine. tions of the value of availability-based to meet the MRO’s demanding deployments within A&D have been AI for brokering can help guide services and aftermarket provider requirements of quality, service in product service or of high-value af- customers to the right channel and expectations of the value they will cre- and quick turn times. termarket products such as predictive service to resolve their need quickly ate from delivering those services are analytics. The notion of employing AI and effectively. For example, a increasing. When increased expecta- MRO Americas • Consulting www.airworthy.aero to drive customer service outcomes is chatbot could be used for a line-main- tions meet growing constraints, it www.airmark.com Services • Maintenance, Repair https://marketplace.aviation- emergent but promising. tenance inquiry, natural language does not take an algorithm to deter- https://marketplace.aviationweek. & Overhaul • Cabin Interiors/ week.com/product/fl oor-ceiling- There are more aircraft in service, processing for a field representative mine new methods are needed. AI Tools & Equipment com/company/airmark-inc InFlight Entertainment complete-interior-solutions more aftermarket contracts based phone call or a direct instant-mes- is one such solution for aftermarket on aircraft availability and more data sage conversation for airline opera- customer service. c Go to mrolinks.com for more information.

MRO28 INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/mo INSIDEMRO FEBRUARY 2020 MRO2 MRO ADVERTISING SECTION

ALIGN AEROSPACE LLC AMBRY HILL TECHNOLOGIES Supporting Major OEM and Aftermarket Customers A smarter way to work RFQs.

Our Products are LTA Vista-Quote, a cloud-based Contracts, Kitting Solutions, application designed VMI Min/Max, Bin to automate your RFQ Management DLF, 3PL and gathering and quote sending Integrated Solutions. workflow. Sales teams use VistaQuote to manage their We are fully franchised for the following distributors: Arconic, RFQ and quote activities, CAM, PCC, TriMas Aerospace, Lisi Aerospace and the accompanied by real-time Novaria Group. inventory data, all inside one intuitive platform.

Airframes • alignaero.com Connectors/Fasteners https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ www.ambryhill.com • Electrical • Engines/ product/supporting-major-oem-and- https://marketplace.aviationweek. Engine Systems aftermarket-customers-0 Technology • Software com/product/smarter-way-work-rfqs

AMERICAN ALUMINUM CASTING CO. AMERICASE, LLC SAND, DIE AND PERMANENT Providing Practical Solutions MOLD ALUMINUM CASTINGS to Complex Problems

American Aluminum Americase, an ISO9001/AS9100 Casting Company is a company designs and manufactures privately-held, family- commercial duty carrying cases owned-and-run metal for any kind of transport. With in- casting business located house engineering and production in Irvington, NJ. The Company provides high-integrity and environments, Americase is uniquely commercial non-ferrous castings to a wide variety of industries, adept in providing high quality, custom with an emphasis on high-quality cast aluminum parts. fabricated solutions to various industries.

View this product at americase.com Manufacturing & Distributing americanalum.com www.americase.com • Avionics/Instruments • Cabin https://marketplace.aviationweek. Manufacturing https://marketplace.aviationweek. Interiors/InFlight Entertainment com/product/sand-die-and-per- & Distributing • com/product/providing-practical- • Electrical • Lighting • Parts manent-mold-aluminum-castings Aerospace Materials solutions-complex-problems

AOG ACCESSORIES A PROFESSIONAL AVIATION SERVICES Customer Service, Quality, FAA/ EASA 145 Certified Repair Station on Time Delivery with a state of the art facility.

AOG Accessories specialize in With a vast capabilities in: providing repair services covering Structures equipment manufactured by Composite many of the galley equipment and Electro Mechanical interior parts for major OEM’s. Hydraulics AOG is able to provide repairs Pneumatics from our FAA Part 145 and EASA approved repair station Fuel and has capabilities for dual release on equipment within ATA Wheels and Brakes Chapters 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, AOG Support and 49. Providing commercial and military services around the globe to www.aogaccessories.com the aviation industry. https://marketplace.aviation- www.apas1.com Maintenance, week.com/product/customer- Maintenance, Repair https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Repair & Overhaul service-quality-time-delivery &Overhaul company/professional-aviation-services

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ALIGN AEROSPACE LLC AMBRY HILL TECHNOLOGIES AQUARESE BY FLOW ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES INC. Supporting Major OEM and Aftermarket Customers A smarter way to work RFQs. Ultra highpressure aterjet Stripping Solutions Advanced Material Distribution

Our Products are LTA Vista-Quote, a cloud-based Aquarese ultrahigh-pressure Associated Industries is the Contracts, Kitting Solutions, application designed Waterjet Stripping Solutions premier Advanced Material VMI Min/Max, Bin to automate your RFQ remove TBC coatings with Distributor for the Aerospace, Management DLF, 3PL and gathering and quote sending ease. Waterjet stripping is MRO and Defense markets. Integrated Solutions. workflow. Sales teams use an eco-friendly process; no Offering premium brands VistaQuote to manage their chemicals and no pollutants. that supply vacuum bagging We are fully franchised for the following distributors: Arconic, RFQ and quote activities, Up to 10 times faster than materials, adhesives, sealants, CAM, PCC, TriMas Aerospace, Lisi Aerospace and the accompanied by real-time chemical removal processes; pre-preg, carbon fi ber, Novaria Group. inventory data, all inside one a cost-effi cient solution for fi berglass, core, surface intuitive platform. combustors, vanes, boosters, treatment chemicals, tapes, blades, and more. abrasives and much more. www.associatedindustriesinc.com Airframes • alignaero.com www.fl owwaterjet.com Maintenance, Connectors/Fasteners https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ www.ambryhill.com https://marketplace.aviationweek. Repair & Overhaul • https://marketplace.avia- • Electrical • Engines/ product/supporting-major-oem-and- https://marketplace.aviationweek. com/product/ultra-high-pressure- Painting/Coatings • tionweek.com/product/ Engine Systems aftermarket-customers-0 Technology • Software com/product/smarter-way-work-rfqs Aerospace Materials waterjet-stripping-solutions Consumables/Supplies advanced-material-distribution

AMERICAN ALUMINUM CASTING CO. AMERICASE, LLC ATEC, INC. CAVU AEROSPACE, INC. SAND, DIE AND PERMANENT Providing Practical Solutions POENI MODULAR FACILITIES CAU Aerospace Inc offers the most effi cient solutions MOLD ALUMINUM CASTINGS to Complex Problems to aircraft disassembly and asset management by Atec, Inc., provides high quality products offering our R.A.M.P.Recycling & Asset Management American Aluminum Americase, an ISO9001/AS9100 and services for Aerospace and Energy. Our 65 years of Program and CAUSmartTags programs Casting Company is a company designs and manufactures experience in design, manufacturing, construction, procurement, privately-held, family- commercial duty carrying cases maintenance, and fi eld service offer confi dence and value The R.A.M.P.(Recycling & Asset owned-and-run metal for any kind of transport. With in- to our customers worldwide. We provide harsh environment Management Program) and casting business located house engineering and production solutions for medium volume requirements involving engine CAVUSmartTags’ an effective solution in Irvington, NJ. The Company provides high-integrity and environments, Americase is uniquely test, aero support equipment, constructed facilities, space fl ight to effi ciently manage their end of commercial non-ferrous castings to a wide variety of industries, adept in providing high quality, custom components and energy service products. Celtech Corp., the service aircraft. Providing a solution with an emphasis on high-quality cast aluminum parts. fabricated solutions to various industries. global leader in fabrication of Jet and Turboprop Test Stands, that liquidates the surplus material and brings you the MOST bolsters our reach and capabilities for heavy production. Vital value in the shortest amount of time for our consignors. View this product at americase.com Link, Inc. brings the world’s leading noise suppressor & hush Manufacturing & Distributing americanalum.com www.americase.com house fi rm to our corporate family. www.cavuaerospace.com • Avionics/Instruments • Cabin https://marketplace.aviationweek. Manufacturing https://marketplace.aviationweek. www.atec.com https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/product/ Interiors/InFlight Entertainment com/product/sand-die-and-per- & Distributing • com/product/providing-practical- Manufacturing & https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Aftermarket ramp-and-cavusmarttags-effi cient-disassembly- • Electrical • Lighting • Parts manent-mold-aluminum-castings Aerospace Materials solutions-complex-problems Distributing product/phoenix-modular-facilities Services and-asset-management-solutions

AOG ACCESSORIES A PROFESSIONAL AVIATION SERVICES CEE-BEE AVIATION DCI INDUSTRIES Customer Service, Quality, FAA/ EASA 145 Certified Repair Station Ceeee Aviation & MetLChek DCI Industries The Future Is right on Time Delivery with a state of the art facility. For more than 75 years, DURACOATINGS “The Future AOG Accessories specialize in With a vast capabilities in: Cee-Bee® aviation products is Bright” DuraCoatings has a providing repair services covering Structures have helped commercial limited rating for Airframe, Landing equipment manufactured by Composite airlines, military, aerospace, Gear, and Accessories. Our core many of the galley equipment and Electro Mechanical and original equipment business is built around our Hard interior parts for major OEM’s. Hydraulics manufacturers meet the Chrome Plating and Thermal AOG is able to provide repairs Pneumatics demanding requirements of Spray Processing with the ability to handle large components. from our FAA Part 145 and EASA approved repair station Fuel the aviation industry. Met-L-Chek® is an approved manufacturer, and has capabilities for dual release on equipment within ATA Wheels and Brakes qualiﬁ cation laboratory, and supplier of liquid penetrant Chapters 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, AOG Support inspection materials. and 49. Providing commercial and military services around the globe to the aviation industry. www.aogaccessories.com Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul • www.mcgean.com Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul • duracoatings.com https://marketplace.aviation- www.apas1.com Engines/Engine Systems • Landing https://marketplace.avia- Airframes • Components • ydraulics/ https://marketplace.avia- Maintenance, week.com/product/customer- Maintenance, Repair https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Gear/heels/rakes • Military tionweek.com/product/ Pneumatics • Landing Gear/heels/ tionweek.com/product/ Repair & Overhaul service-quality-time-delivery &Overhaul company/professional-aviation-services Maintenance cee-bee-aviation-met-l-chek rakes dci-industries-future-bright

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EASTMAN AVIATION SOLUTIONS GLOBAL AEROSPACE CORPORATION Trusted on the ground. Proven in the air. Global Aerospace Corporation - Keeping you ﬂ ying!

Found in approximately Established in 1993, Global 24,000 engines in use Aerospace Corporation today—completing billions of is a leading Canadian ﬂ ight hours, Eastman turbo provider of landing gear, air oils and Skydrol™ aviation cycle machine, pneumatic hydraulic ﬂ uids have been and hydraulic aircraft tested, proven, and trusted component MRO, including aviation solutions for more loan and exchange services than 50 years. for commercial and regional aircraft.

Aerospace Materials • www.eastmanaviationsolutions.com www.globalaerospace.com Advanced Materials/ https://marketplace. MRO Americas • https://marketplace.aviationweek. Composites • Chemicals • aviationweek.com/product/ Maintenance, Repair & com/product/global-aerospace- Fuel/Lubricants trusted-ground-proven-air Overhaul corporation-keeping-you-ﬂ ying

GLOBAL AVIATION CO GREEN WORLDWIDE SHIPPING LLC SERVICE IS OUR BEST PART Green Worldwide Shipping, as partner in the Aviation Logistics Global Aviation Co. Network (ALN), provides provides customized best-in-class aerospace supply chain solutions and Aircraft-on-ground and spare parts distribution services for commercial airlines, (AOG) services to the aviation helicopter operators and MROs. Global provides customers with community. With our 10 USA prompt fulﬁ llment from distribution centers located in Atlanta, ofﬁ ces, Airfreight specialist staff Dallas, Singapore, and Amsterdam. and 365/24/7 coverage, we can ensure you the highest level of service and solutions. Green is the exclusive USA member of ALN (Aviation Logistics Network), with over 350+ stations around the world, all specialist in Aerospace/AOG.

Manufacturing www.globalaviation.aero www.greenworldwide.com & Distributing • https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Consumables/Supplies com/product/service-our-best-part Aftermarket Services company/green-worldwide-shipping-llc

HURRICANE AEROSPACE SOLUTIONS TITAN TOOL SUPPLY, INC. Hurricane Aerospace Solutions Videoscope Records Video & Still MRO Inspections

Hurricane Aerospace’s Titan Tool Supply’s Model TVSG commitment to our Videoscope enables visual inspections customers and associates at remote MRO sites to be recorded is to continually strive for in both still images and video. Models excellence in these and are available in 4.5 mm or 6.4 mm other areas required to diameters and 1.5 m or 3.0 m lengths. assure their own success. Full 360° joystick articulation control. Engineering * Ground Support Equipment * Hangars & Equipment * Test Equipment * Tools

Manufacturing & Distributing HURRICANEAEROSPACE.COM www.titantoolsupply.com • Cabin Interiors/InFlight https://marketplace.avia- Tools & Equipment • https://marketplace.aviationweek. Entertainment • Consumables/ tionweek.com/product/ Test Equipment • Ground com/product/modular-videoscope- Supplies • Lighting • Parts hurricane-aerospace-solutions Support Equipment aviation-inspection-and-maintenance

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EASTMAN AVIATION SOLUTIONS GLOBAL AEROSPACE CORPORATION SANAD AEROTECH SATAIR, AN AIRBUS SERVICES COMPANY Trusted on the ground. Proven in the air. Global Aerospace Corporation - Keeping you ﬂ ying! The globally pioneering engine MRO Your partner for more than parts

Found in approximately Established in 1993, Global The world’s first With more than 200,000 24,000 engines in use Aerospace Corporation independent GEnx™ different part numbers in today—completing billions of is a leading Canadian MRO, and the world’s stock, Satair is one of the fl ight hours, Eastman turbo provider of landing gear, air only independent Trent global leading providers of oils and Skydrol™ aviation cycle machine, pneumatic 700 MRO & AMC - aftermarket solutions for hydraulic fl uids have been and hydraulic aircraft Sanad Aerotech is a the civil aerospace industry, tested, proven, and trusted component MRO, including globally pioneering engine offering parts management aviation solutions for more loan and exchange services MRO service provider. and services as well as than 50 years. for commercial and Sanad Aerotech performs complete MRO servicing of parts support for all types regional aircraft. engines installed on A/C such as Airbus A330, A320, of aircraft platforms as the Boeing 787 and 747. preferred aftermarket integrator. Aerospace Materials • www.eastmanaviationsolutions.com www.globalaerospace.com www.sanad.ae www.satair.com Advanced Materials/ https://marketplace. MRO Americas • https://marketplace.aviationweek. Components • https://marketplace. Parts • Aftermarket https://marketplace.avia- Composites • Chemicals • aviationweek.com/product/ Maintenance, Repair & com/product/global-aerospace- Engines/Engine Systems • aviationweek.com/product/ Services • Training • tionweek.com/product/ Fuel/Lubricants trusted-ground-proven-air Overhaul corporation-keeping-you-fl ying Test Equipment globally-pioneering-engine-mro-0 Supply Chain/Logistics your-partner-more-parts

GLOBAL AVIATION CO GREEN WORLDWIDE SHIPPING LLC MB AEROSPACE b2b-aero.com GmbH SERVICE IS OUR BEST PART Green Worldwide Shipping, as Industry-leading repair services b2b-aero.com - THE AVIATION MARKETPLACE partner in the Aviation Logistics Global Aviation Co. Network (ALN), provides MB Aerospace is committed DRIVING DIGITAL provides customized best-in-class aerospace to engineering excellence TRANSFORMATION supply chain solutions and Aircraft-on-ground supporting repair operations b2b-aero.com — and spare parts distribution services for commercial airlines, (AOG) services to the aviation with OEM’s, MRO’s and THE AVIATION helicopter operators and MROs. Global provides customers with community. With our 10 USA other aviation entities across MARKETPLACE — is prompt fulﬁ llment from distribution centers located in Atlanta, ofﬁ ces, Airfreight specialist staff multiple engine platforms. the industry’s benchmark Dallas, Singapore, and Amsterdam. and 365/24/7 coverage, we Our world class quality for electronic supply chain transactions and database solutions. can ensure you the highest level and TAT, together with our b2b-aero.com offers low cost electronic interaction and data of service and solutions. Green is the exclusive USA member customer service team ensures 100% quality delivery, on time, exchange (EDI) services between MRO buyers and suppliers. of ALN (Aviation Logistics Network), with over 350+ stations every time. around the world, all specialist in Aerospace/AOG. www.mbaerospace.com Aftermarket Services • www.b2b-aero.com Manufacturing www.globalaviation.aero www.greenworldwide.com Components • https://marketplace.aviation- Technology • Manuals/Repair https://marketplace.avia- & Distributing • https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Heat Coating/Brazing • week.com/product/industry- Documentation/Records • tionweek.com/product/ Consumables/Supplies com/product/service-our-best-part Aftermarket Services company/green-worldwide-shipping-llc Military Maintenance leading-repair-services-0 Software b2b-aerocom-aviation-marketplace

HURRICANE AEROSPACE SOLUTIONS TITAN TOOL SUPPLY, INC. USA BORESCOPES CO-OPERATIVE INDUSTRIES AEROSPACE & DEFENSE Hurricane Aerospace Solutions Videoscope Records Video & Still MRO Inspections USA2000J 6mm Portable Joystick Articulating Videoscope Electrical Wiring Harness Repair Services

Hurricane Aerospace’s Titan Tool Supply’s Model TVSG The USA2000J-6-2000 6mm portable If your organization is looking for commitment to our Videoscope enables visual inspections joystick articulating videoscope features: reliable wiring harness repairs, customers and associates at remote MRO sites to be recorded you can trust in CIA&D (Co- is to continually strive for in both still images and video. Models Excellent Image Quality with Optimized Operative Industries Aerospace excellence in these and are available in 4.5 mm or 6.4 mm Optic System & HD CMOS Sensor & Defense) to deliver the other areas required to diameters and 1.5 m or 3.0 m lengths. High Resolution Picture/Video LCM results you need. With quality assure their own success. Full 360° joystick articulation control. Output System workmanship and responsive Engineering * Ground Support Smooth Joystick Control and Lock System turn-times, our repair center Equipment * Hangars & Equipment * Tungsten Tube offers cost-effective repair Test Equipment * Tools Temperature Warning options to airlines and MROs. 7” LCD Monitor www.usaborescopes.com coopind.com Manufacturing & Distributing HURRICANEAEROSPACE.COM www.titantoolsupply.com • Cabin Interiors/InFlight https://marketplace.avia- Tools & Equipment • https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.aviationweek. Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul • https://marketplace.aviation- Entertainment • Consumables/ tionweek.com/product/ Test Equipment • Ground com/product/modular-videoscope- Tools & Equipment • com/product/usa2000j-6mm-porta- Components • Electrical • week.com/product/electrical- Supplies • Lighting • Parts hurricane-aerospace-solutions Support Equipment aviation-inspection-and-maintenance Test Equipment ble-joystick-articulating-videoscope Engines/Engine Systems wiring-harness-repair-services

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CHRISTOPHER PETERMANN • ENGINEER INNOVATION & RESEARCH AVIATION WEEK EXPLAINS

tors.” But it also warns: “There can be What Does Brexit Mean no ‘cherry picking’ through participation in the single market based on a sector-by-sector approach.” for Aviation? The negotiators will also be looking at the effect of the UK’s departure Helen Massy-Beresford Paris from the EU on areas such as operational and commercial flexibility, in- Three and a half years after the UK voted to leave the European cluding codesharing. Union, and after many political twists and turns on the way, the UK left the EU on Jan. 31. A transition period, during which exist- What will the UK’s relationship with the EU and U.S. air transport markets ing rules and terms apply, is scheduled to last until the end of 2020. look like post-Brexit? The future of the UK’s relationship with the air What will change for airlines? In the there would not be divergence from transport markets in the EU is one of short-term, not much. An 11-month European standards for the sake of it. the most important points negotiators transition period ensures the status will be trying to define as negotiations quo will last until Dec. 31, 2020, with a What can UK and EU airlines expect af- begin. In an October 2019 revised target for an agreement on the future ter December 2020? For now, no one political declaration setting out the relationship to be signed by Jan. 1, 2021. really knows. Teams of negotiators framework for the UK and the EU’s Once the transition period begins, from the UK and the EU will spend the future relationship, the European negotiations on the UK’s future re - coming months thrashing out the mi- Commission said a comprehensive air lationship with the bloc will get un- nutiae of the two sides’ future relations, transport agreement would be need- derway. The UK will have the same including the air transport sector. ed to ensure passenger and cargo air connectivity. That agreement would include provisions covering market access and investment, aviation safety and security, air traffic management, and provisions to ensure open and JOEPREISAVIATION.NET fair competition, including appropriate and relevant consumer protection requirements and social standards. The two sides should make arrange- ments to enable cooperation with a focus on high standards of aviation safety and security, including close cooperation between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the council said in its October Ryanair has warned about the 2019 statement. economic impact of Brexit. Post-Brexit, the UK will also cease to be part of the EU-US Open Skies, an agreement signed in 2007. rights and obligations as the remain- A document released Jan. 15 by In November 2018, the UK signed a ing member states until the transi- the European Commission’s Task new open skies air services agreement tion period ends. Force for Relations with the United with the U.S., a move that Internation- Kingdom noted the baseline scenario al Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie What are airlines most worried about in which the UK ceases to be part of Walsh said at the time was “a signifi- after that? The transition period buys the fully liberalized EU aviation mar- cant positive development.” He added: them some breathing space, but air- ket. All current EU law-based rights, “It’s critical that Britain maintains full lines still want clarity on their future. obligations and benefits cease, as do access to international aviation mar- In other words, they want to under- traffic rights and ownership and con- kets so it can continue to develop its stand how Brexit will affect every- trol rules. There is no fallback on the global trading links.” thing from airline ownership rules to World Trade Organization rules. Virgin Atlantic says the open skies safety regulations, traffic rights and The European Commission Task agreement between the U.S. and UK, immigration processes at airports. Force’s document highlights Europe- as well as existing bilateral air service The UK Chancellor of the Exche- an Council guidelines from 2018 stat- agreements with other key markets, quer Sajid Javid’s recent comments ing: “The aim should be to ensure con- will ensure that flights will continue that the UK may not align itself on tinued connectivity between the UK to operate as normal, regardless of the European rules rang alarm bells for a and the EU after the UK withdraw- future relationship agreed to between highly regulated sector, but Javid lat- al . . . while ensuring a strong, level the UK and EU. “In the meantime, we er sought to calm the debate by saying playing field in highly competitive sec- welcome the status quo transition pe-

AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 39 AVIATION WEEK EXPLAINS

riod until Dec. 31, 2020, which ensures it would have less of an effect on its are far from all-encompassing, and a se- that customers can continue to travel operations than on those of UK-based ries of practical issues will arise on Jan. with confidence as the UK leaves the airlines. “But we still expect adverse 1, 2021, if the EU-UK agreement does EU on Jan. 31,” the company says. trading consequences,” the airline not cover the aviation sector,” A4E says. Virgin says its joint-venture plan—a stated. “Brexit is causing consider- Member airlines—which include Air transatlantic joint venture with Delta able political uncertainty in the UK; France-KLM, EasyJet, Finnair, IAG, Air Lines and Air France-KLM that it has damaged investment, economic Norwegian and Ryanair—are con- involves cross-shareholdings span- activity, and consumer confidence and cerned about the transfer of passenger ning the U.S., the UK and the EU—is has been a major contributor to the data once the UK is no longer covered unaffected by Brexit. weakness of air fares and consumer by General Data Protection Regulation demand for flights from/to the U.K.” (GDPR) legislation, the association says. What will be the impact on airline Thomas Cook’s collapse in Septem- “Similarly, the transfer of spare ownership? Airlines have been taking action to ensure their ownership sat- isfies EU ownership and control rules Virgin Atlantic says its joint-venture to maintain their continued right to plans are unaffected by Brexit. fly post-Brexit. For example, IAG says its airlines (British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling and Level) submitted plans on ownership and control to the national regulators in Austria, France, Ireland and Spain, all of which confirmed that the plans would satisfy EU rules in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

What about operating licenses? Air- lines based in the UK and operating to European destinations, or vice JOEPREISAVIATION.NET versa, have been preparing for Brexit ber and UK regional carrier Flybe’s parts for aircraft maintenance from for years. recent financial difficulties and sub- the EU to the UK might fall under In July 2017, a year after Britain sequent rescue were not solely due to different customs rules in the future, voted to leave the EU, EasyJet set up Brexit, but the effect of currency swings creating administrative burden and Vienna-based EasyJet Europe. The and consumer uncertainty since the higher costs for airlines,” it adds. A4E move protected its rights to fly to Eu- 2016 vote certainly heaped extra pres- says it is in regular contact with the ropean destinations through its Aus- sure on already struggling businesses. European Commission and lobbying trian air operator’s certificate (AOC). for transport clauses to be included in Dublin-based Ryanair will have no Are negotiators sure they will reach the future EU-UK agreement. problems continuing to operate in Eu- full agreement in the allotted time? rope post-Brexit. In January 2019, the No. The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, What does Brexit mean for the UK and airline secured its UK AOC to allow it Michel Barnier, has warned that while EASA? The baseline scenario is that to continue operating domestic UK and the withdrawal agreement guarantees the UK will cease to be part of EASA UK-to-non-EU flights after the transi- continuity and free movement of peo- after the transition period, but indus- tion period ends. Budapest, Hunga- ple, goods and services until the end try insiders believe a way around this ry-based Wizz Air set up its UK subsid- of the year, 11 months is a short peri- will be found, as leaving EASA and iary and obtained its UK AOC in 2018. od in which to negotiate an extremely setting up a UK equivalent would be complex new relationship after what costly, complicated and could give Eu- What will happen to the EU261 pas- he described as “a kind of divorce” in a ropean competitors the edge. senger compensation scheme after Jan. 9 speech. “The UK will automat- Given the UK’s significant aerospace the transition period? Air passengers ically, mechanically, legally, leave 600 manufacturing and aviation interests, on a flight departing the UK will have international agreements. And we will ongoing UK membership of EASA is the same passenger rights that apply have, together—EU and UK, and the also seen as important for the EU. today, both during and after the im- UK for its part, alone—to rebuild ev- For now, EASA says the UK’s exit plementation period. The UK govern- erything,” Barnier said in the speech. will not alter its mandate, aims or ment plans to adopt EU261 rules into If negotiating the transport clauses operations, but it is too early to say UK law when it leaves the EU. requires more time, the EU would fall what ultimate impact Brexit will have back on international agreements for on EASA or its European stakehold- What other effects will Brexit have on aviation or its “no-deal contingency ers or on the UK itself. the airline industry? The economic plans” developed in 2019, the Air - “The withdrawal will significantly impact of Brexit is already taking its lines for Europe (A4E) industry lobby alter EASA’s cooperation with UK toll on airlines. How that will evolve is group warns. authorities and will not leave EASA’s hard to predict. In its annual report “This is the worst-case scenario for stakeholders untouched,” the agency published July 26, Ryanair said Brex- EU aviation. These contingency plans says. c

40 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK EXPLAINS riod until Dec. 31, 2020, which ensures it would have less of an effect on its are far from all-encompassing, and a se- that customers can continue to travel operations than on those of UK-based ries of practical issues will arise on Jan. with confidence as the UK leaves the airlines. “But we still expect adverse 1, 2021, if the EU-UK agreement does EU on Jan. 31,” the company says. trading consequences,” the airline not cover the aviation sector,” A4E says. Virgin says its joint-venture plan—a stated. “Brexit is causing consider- Member airlines—which include Air transatlantic joint venture with Delta able political uncertainty in the UK; France-KLM, EasyJet, Finnair, IAG, Air Lines and Air France-KLM that it has damaged investment, economic Norwegian and Ryanair—are con- involves cross-shareholdings span- activity, and consumer confidence and cerned about the transfer of passenger 第⼗三届 ning the U.S., the UK and the EU—is has been a major contributor to the data once the UK is no longer covered unaffected by Brexit. weakness of air fares and consumer by General Data Protection Regulation demand for flights from/to the U.K.” (GDPR) legislation, the association says. What will be the impact on airline Thomas Cook’s collapse in Septem- “Similarly, the transfer of spare ownership? Airlines have been taking action to ensure their ownership sat- The 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition isfies EU ownership and control rules Virgin Atlantic says its joint-venture to maintain their continued right to plans are unaffected by Brexit. fly post-Brexit. For example, IAG says its airlines (British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling and Level) submitted plans on ownership and control to the national regulators in Austria, France, Ireland and Spain, all of which confirmed that the plans would satisfy EU rules in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

What about operating licenses? Air- lines based in the UK and operating to European destinations, or vice JOEPREISAVIATION.NET versa, have been preparing for Brexit ber and UK regional carrier Flybe’s parts for aircraft maintenance from for years. recent financial difficulties and sub- the EU to the UK might fall under In July 2017, a year after Britain sequent rescue were not solely due to different customs rules in the future, voted to leave the EU, EasyJet set up Brexit, but the effect of currency swings creating administrative burden and Vienna-based EasyJet Europe. The and consumer uncertainty since the higher costs for airlines,” it adds. A4E move protected its rights to fly to Eu- 2016 vote certainly heaped extra pres- says it is in regular contact with the ropean destinations through its Aus- sure on already struggling businesses. European Commission and lobbying trian air operator’s certificate (AOC). for transport clauses to be included in Dublin-based Ryanair will have no Are negotiators sure they will reach the future EU-UK agreement. problems continuing to operate in Eu- full agreement in the allotted time? rope post-Brexit. In January 2019, the No. The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, What does Brexit mean for the UK and airline secured its UK AOC to allow it Michel Barnier, has warned that while EASA? The baseline scenario is that to continue operating domestic UK and the withdrawal agreement guarantees the UK will cease to be part of EASA UK-to-non-EU flights after the transi- continuity and free movement of peo- after the transition period, but indus- tion period ends. Budapest, Hunga- ple, goods and services until the end try insiders believe a way around this ry-based Wizz Air set up its UK subsid- of the year, 11 months is a short peri- will be found, as leaving EASA and iary and obtained its UK AOC in 2018. od in which to negotiate an extremely setting up a UK equivalent would be complex new relationship after what costly, complicated and could give Eu- What will happen to the EU261 pas- he described as “a kind of divorce” in a ropean competitors the edge. senger compensation scheme after Jan. 9 speech. “The UK will automat- Given the UK’s significant aerospace the transition period? Air passengers ically, mechanically, legally, leave 600 manufacturing and aviation interests, on a flight departing the UK will have international agreements. And we will ongoing UK membership of EASA is the same passenger rights that apply have, together—EU and UK, and the also seen as important for the EU. today, both during and after the im- UK for its part, alone—to rebuild ev- For now, EASA says the UK’s exit plementation period. The UK govern- erything,” Barnier said in the speech. will not alter its mandate, aims or ment plans to adopt EU261 rules into If negotiating the transport clauses operations, but it is too early to say UK law when it leaves the EU. requires more time, the EU would fall what ultimate impact Brexit will have back on international agreements for on EASA or its European stakehold- What other effects will Brexit have on aviation or its “no-deal contingency ers or on the UK itself. the airline industry? The economic plans” developed in 2019, the Air - “The withdrawal will significantly impact of Brexit is already taking its lines for Europe (A4E) industry lobby alter EASA’s cooperation with UK toll on airlines. How that will evolve is group warns. authorities and will not leave EASA’s EXHIBITION TRADE VISITOR & AIRCRAFT EXHIBITION hard to predict. In its annual report “This is the worst-case scenario for stakeholders untouched,” the agency Mr. Jimmy Sum Mr. Aaron Huang c Tel:+86-756-337-6304 Tel:+86-756-337-6111 published July 26, Ryanair said Brex- EU aviation. These contingency plans says. WWW.AIRSHOW.COM.CN Email:[email protected] Email: [email protected]

40 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST ROTORCRAFT

tar/Ecureuil and Bell 407 and compete with small, twin- engine models, includ- LEONARDO’S ing the Airbus H135 and the Bell 429. As the former owner of the SH09, holding company Lynwood had KOPTER COUP ploughed some $350 million into the development of the aircraft type since it emerged out of Marenco Swisshelicop- > SH09 WILL “COMPLEMENT” LEONARDO’S AW119 ter in 2009. Leonardo will likely need to KOALA, SAYS KOPTER CEO spend at least $100 million to complete development, industry watchers say. > AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION PLANNED FOR 2020 Additional payments linked to certain milestones over the life of the program could also be earned by Lynwood. Tony Osborne Los Angeles and certification of Kopter’s SH09, as “This is a hell of a bargain for Leon- well as provide significant marketing, ardo,” says Mike Hirschberg, executive hrough its $185 million takeover supply chain and distribution clout director of the Vertical Flight Society. of the fledgling Kopter Group, from its larger parent. “If they were to develop an aircraft TLeonardo Helicopters has cap- “This is the highlight in the histo- independently, they would have spent tured a new product for a fraction of ry of Kopter,” Kopter CEO Andreas at least half a billion dollars and five the half-billion-dollar price tag normal- Lowenstein says. “We are convinced years to develop it.” ly associated with such a development. this will be the market leader that will Leonardo’s initial interest in the pro- The surprise, bargain-basement change the game in the light helicop- gram extends back at least four years, deal announced at this year’s Heli- ter segment.” before Marenco transitioned into the copter Association International’s Leonardo Helicopters CEO Gian Kopter Group in February 2018 un- Heli-Expo conference in Los Ange - Piero Cutillo told Aviation Week: “I der the management of Lowenstein.

The SHO9’s Updated Configuration

2 | New Rotor Head and Main Rotor Blades 3 | Resculpted Cowlings 4 | Endplates The new rotor head combined with a new main The cowlings reduce the amount of turbulent Although these components rotor blade—fitted with large trim tabs—has in- air flowing around the back of the aircraft are pictured, the aim is to creased stability and improved the smoothness of and have the impact of reducing drag and eliminate the need for them the ride, reducing pilot workload. ultimately fuel consumption in cruise. on the horizontal stabilizer.

1 | New Avionics Suite KOPTER GROUP The prototype P3 is using a Sagem-developed avionics suite, but production aircraft will use the Garmin G3000H system, which will ready the SH09 for single-engine instrument flight 5 | New Fuel Tank Configuration rules (IFR) operations. The SH09 will receive new fuel tanks that use concertinaed fuel lines capable of coping with a high-sink-rate impact.

les also secures what could soon be believe all the ingredients are there to In 2018, Kopter had already started a a sizable chunk of the single-engine come into this segment with a really hunt for new shareholders to comple- helicopter market for Leonardo—a great product. It will really open the ment Lynwood’s investments. Sever- business that the Italian OEM has door for a lot of opportunities.” al investors had expressed a strong largely ignored for a decade by fo - The 2.85-metric-ton (6,280-lb.) SH09 interest in taking a stake in Kopter, cusing on the medium, twin-engine is the first new design of a single-engine including other helicopter OEMs, but segment. light helicopter for the long, light-single a full buyout was never in the cards And although Kopter will remain an market in more than 30 years (AW&ST, until the Leonardo offer came along. autonomous entity, Leonardo’s backing Jan. 27-Feb. 9, 2020, p. 42). It has been Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo should help finalize the development designed to take on Airbus’ H125 AS- admitted he was skeptical of the deal

42 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST ROTORCRAFT TONY OSBORNE/AW&ST tar/Ecureuil and Bell 407 and compete at first, but the management of his he- with small, twin- engine models, includ- licopter business won him over. The Kopter has been testing its third prototype SH09 in LEONARDO’S ing the Airbus H135 and the Bell 429. new aircraft not only provided a leg Sicily. Over the coming months, it will be modified As the former owner of the SH09, up into the busy light helicopter mar- in line with the new configuration. holding company Lynwood had ket but also produced a steppingstone KOPTER COUP ploughed some $350 million into the de- to new technologies such as hybrid velopment of the aircraft type since it propulsion and unmanned systems, emerged out of Marenco Swisshelicop- Cutillo notes. > SH09 WILL “COMPLEMENT” LEONARDO’S AW119 ter in 2009. Leonardo will likely need to Leonardo has several new sin - KOALA, SAYS KOPTER CEO spend at least $100 million to complete gle-engine helicopter studies under- development, industry watchers say. way, and the purchase was a “unique > AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION PLANNED FOR 2020 Additional payments linked to certain opportunity,” Cutillo says. “We have milestones over the life of the program the chance to shortcut the time to could also be earned by Lynwood. market,” he adds. Tony Osborne Los Angeles and certification of Kopter’s SH09, as “This is a hell of a bargain for Leon- The SH09 will join Leonardo’s well as provide significant marketing, ardo,” says Mike Hirschberg, executive AW119 Koala as part of the compa- hrough its $185 million takeover supply chain and distribution clout director of the Vertical Flight Society. ny’s single-engine product lineup. The of the fledgling Kopter Group, from its larger parent. “If they were to develop an aircraft AW119, which is nearing the end of its TLeonardo Helicopters has cap- “This is the highlight in the histo- independently, they would have spent development cycle, will likely become Industries (KAI). Those agreements The new cowlings have been de - tured a new product for a fraction of ry of Kopter,” Kopter CEO Andreas at least half a billion dollars and five a niche product for key missions such could see the pair cooperate on mar- signed to reduce the amount of tur- the half-billion-dollar price tag normal- Lowenstein says. “We are convinced years to develop it.” as military training, having recently keting, sales and potential assembly of bulent air along the tail boom and to ly associated with such a development. this will be the market leader that will Leonardo’s initial interest in the pro- secured the tender as the U.S. Navy’s the helicopter in South Korea. reduce drag by around 10% by sending The surprise, bargain-basement change the game in the light helicop- gram extends back at least four years, TH-73 rotary-wing trainer. Kopter is also making significant air down underneath the tail boom. deal announced at this year’s Heli- ter segment.” before Marenco transitioned into the Keeping Kopter’s autonomy from the changes to the SH09’s dynamic sys- Riccobono says the aim is to elimi- copter Association International’s Leonardo Helicopters CEO Gian Kopter Group in February 2018 un- Leonardo mothership appears to be a tems and aerodynamic configuration, nate the need for endplates on the tail Heli-Expo conference in Los Ange - Piero Cutillo told Aviation Week: “I der the management of Lowenstein. priority for both Cutillo and Lowenstein. as engineers close in on the produc- boom’s horizontal stabilizer. Aerody- However, recent acquisitions—such tion configuration of the aircraft. The namic adjustments have also been as Sikorsky’s purchase of Schweizer changes resculpt the cowlings around made to the vertical stabilizer. The SHO9’s Updated Configuration and PZL Mielic and Leonardo’s pur- the main gearbox and the Honeywell P3 will test these changes with a se- chase of PZL-Swidnik—show that HTS900 engine and introduce a ries of retrofits planned for the spring 2 | New Rotor Head and Main Rotor Blades 3 | Resculpted Cowlings 4 | Endplates separation could be difficult to sustain. new main rotor head and main rotor and summer during flight trials in Sic- The new rotor head combined with a new main The cowlings reduce the amount of turbulent Although these components “We should leverage this agile way blades. ily, Italy. rotor blade—fitted with large trim tabs—has in- air flowing around the back of the aircraft are pictured, the aim is to to do things,” Cutillo says. “We don’t The company retrofitted the head Other changes in production want to go and change the way they and blades onto the only flying pro- models will see the SH09 adopt a creased stability and improved the smoothness of and have the impact of reducing drag and eliminate the need for them are doing things. For the time being, I totype (P3) in December, paving the Garmin-developed avionics suite, the ride, reducing pilot workload. ultimately fuel consumption in cruise. on the horizontal stabilizer. don’t see any need to merge.” way for the first flights with the new which the company says will pave the “It is very important in this seg- configuration in January. way for the aircraft to be certified for ment to be different from those work- The new rotor head introduces a single-engine instrument flight rules ing on bigger helicopters,” Lowenstein new damper, whereas the previous (IFR) operations. Work on a new 1 | New Avionics Suite KOPTER GROUP says. “You need to decide quickly, be rotor-head dampers provided damp- four-axis digital autopilot to support cost-aware and [remain] agile with ing to the cyclic inputs—but not col- IFR flight is also underway. The prototype P3 is using a product support.” lective inputs—making the aircraft Kopter continues to target certifi- Sagem-developed avionics suite, The takeover was announced just movements sensitive to updrafts, cation in 2020, but rather than wait but production aircraft will use as Kopter began taking major in- downdrafts and turbulence. The old for European Union Aviation Safety the Garmin G3000H system, vestment decisions to support the dampers would cause the aircraft to Agency approvals and then validation which will ready the SH09 for production of the aircraft and build- occasionally “fishtail,” says Michele by the FAA later, Kopter wants to try single-engine instrument flight up of its international distribution Riccobono, Kopter’s chief technical to secure a concurrent approval from 5 | New Fuel Tank Configuration network. The company is planning officer and head of flight operations. both regulators. The company says rules (IFR) operations. The SH09 will receive new fuel tanks that use a new factory at its headquarters in “This new architecture of damper the move reflects the importance of 2 concertinaed fuel lines capable of coping with Mollis, Switzerland—a 24,000-ft. is maintenance-free and provides the the U.S. market. Kopter has already a high-sink-rate impact. plant that will bring the company’s opportunity for on-condition main- secured more than 70 firm orders for geographically separated facilities to- tenance, and the collective damping the SH09 as well as 120 letters of in- gether under one roof. The site is due has improved the ride-quality and tent (LOI) for the aircraft, Lowenstein les also secures what could soon be believe all the ingredients are there to In 2018, Kopter had already started a to be operational in 2022, ready for stability of the aircraft significantly,” says. About 70% of the LOI will likely a sizable chunk of the single-engine come into this segment with a really hunt for new shareholders to comple- an expected ramp-up in production. Riccobono says. convert into firm orders, he adds. helicopter market for Leonardo—a great product. It will really open the ment Lynwood’s investments. Sever- The company has also secured facili- The new rotor blades introduce During Heli-Expo, an additional six business that the Italian OEM has door for a lot of opportunities.” al investors had expressed a strong ties in Lafayette, Louisiana, where it several large trim tabs along the trail- firm orders were received from U.S. largely ignored for a decade by fo - The 2.85-metric-ton (6,280-lb.) SH09 interest in taking a stake in Kopter, will serve the U.S. market with a final ing edge to provide more stability. The and Asian operators. Kopter officials cusing on the medium, twin-engine is the first new design of a single-engine including other helicopter OEMs, but assembly line. improved stability was demonstrated say they are close to signing up a major segment. light helicopter for the long, light-single a full buyout was never in the cards Lowenstein says the company when test pilots were able to leave the fleet operator for the type, targeting a And although Kopter will remain an market in more than 30 years (AW&ST, until the Leonardo offer came along. needs to assess the impact of Leon- flight controls unattended for 20 sec. baseline aircraft price of $3.3 million autonomous entity, Leonardo’s backing Jan. 27-Feb. 9, 2020, p. 42). It has been Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo ardo’s takeover on Kopter’s recent and the aircraft would “stay in trim,” at 2019-20 prices. c should help finalize the development designed to take on Airbus’ H125 AS- admitted he was skeptical of the deal agreements with Korea Aerospace Riccobono says. — With Guy Norris in Los Angeles

42 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 43 ROTORCRAFT

Improved Air Crane Could Erickson wants a powerplant with full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) for the S-64F+. Options could include Fight Fires Autonomously the Honeywell T55 engine from the Boeing CH-47 Chinook or the General Electric T64 from the Sikorsky CH-53 Stallion ERICKSON WANTS MODERN FADEC-EQUIPPED family. The company is still finalizing the specifications for the > new composite blade, which has been in development since ENGINES FOR S-64+ 2010, but flight trials have shown a 13% improvement in ef- > AIR CRANE MATRIX DEMONSTRATION ficiency compared to the previous blade as well as reduced ENVISAGED FOR 2021 fuel burn of around 3-5%. Other partners for the work will be announced in the com- Tony Osborne Los Angeles ing months. Erickson has owned the type certificate for the Sikorsky- nternational demand for firefighting aircraft and the designed S-64 Skycrane—known to the U.S. Army as the growth of complex urban engineering projects is prompt- CH-54 Tarhe—since the early 1990s and today owns and oper- Iing Erickson to make investments for the future of its dis- ates 20 of the machines for the firefighting, precision construc- tinctive Air Crane heavy-lift helicopter. tion and aerial lift missions. They regularly deploy worldwide The Oregon-based company wants to transform the during the fire seasons to both the Southern and Northern Sikorsky-designed machine’s hemispheres. Six of the performance. The proposed Erickson-owned machines S-64F+ Air Crane will be helped fight the devastat- equipped with modernized ing forest fires in Australia. engines, composite rotor blades and advanced avion- Sikorsky’s Matrix ics, including Sikorsky’s Ma- technology could allow trix autonomous technology, the Air Crane to fly potentially enabling it to fly hazardous firefighting hazardous firefighting mis- missions unmanned. sions without endangering the crew. Other Air Cranes are owned “We will build the world’s by government forestry most advanced heavy-lift and agencies in Italy and South heavy aerial [fire]-attack plat- Korea, and two additional form,” Erickson CEO Doug aircraft were delivered to Kitani told journalists as he ERICKSON the latter in December. announced the launch of the program here at Heli-Expo 2020. New Air Cranes are being restored from existing airframe He said the work would draw on the company’s now allocations using original Sikorsky data plates, but the air- decadelong composite rotor blade program, which is nearing craft are almost entirely built from scratch, rather like his- its conclusion, with the FAA expected to certify the blades in toric warbird restoration projects. the coming months. But with demand expected to grow in the coming years The first step in the modernization is a planned demon- from sovereign customers, Erickson is gearing up to produce stration of the Matrix technology, in which the aircraft will entirely new-build models. Kitani predicts a need for 50-100 likely perform an autonomous firefighting mission collecting additional S-64s in the coming years, on top of the 40-50 air- water and dropping it on a fire in 2021. frames currently in operation. “We are not talking about taking the crews out of the Air “We have seen in the firefighting mission that there is not Crane but augmenting them, to enable them to take on these- enough aircraft to go around. . . . Where the operators used high workload-demanding missions and do it safely over and to go between the Northern and Southern hemispheres for over,” said Chris van Buiten, vice president of the Sikorsky In- firefighting season, that model is now breaking down,” said novations research organization. Installation will be invasive: Kitani. He believes this will be a prompt for nations to build On top of the Matrix processing units, containing digital terrain up their own national fleets of firefighting aircraft, based and obstacle databases, the aircraft also will be fitted with lidar in-country all year around. and cameras that will link to a fly-by-wire system with servos The S-64F+ project comes less than three years after the and clutches that drive the existing mechanical flight controls company exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, having in response to commands from the management system. struggled to make a profit since its takeover of Evergreen “We are seeing fires intensifying. We need to be able to fight Heli copters in 2013. Kitani said the restructured company is them at night and in reduced-visibility conditions,” added now in much better shape to handle the investments required Hayden Olson, general manager for Erickson Aerosystems. for the program. “We know existing customers want to expand “No matter how old the asset is, we can continue to apply their fleets, so we know the demand is there,” said Kitani. He that technology and potentially make one of the best tools also cites the success of Erickson’s new defense maintenance, for that mission.” repair and overhaul business for Marine Corps and Navy Along with the arrangement with Sikorsky, Erickson has CH-53 Super Stallion and Sea Dragon helicopters, which will selected Piasecki to act as a consultant to the S-64+ probe a “key contributor” in helping to fund the S-64F+ project. gram, supporting the engine selection process to replace the “We think we have a balance sheet and a business plan that 1950s-era 4,500-shp Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-4A (T73-P-1). will allow us to execute this,” Kitani said. c

44 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST ROTORCRAFT

Improved Air Crane Could Erickson wants a powerplant with full-authority digital en- Sikorsky Finalizes Upgrade only by the auxiliary system, which is gine control (FADEC) for the S-64F+. Options could include integrated into the gearbox itself. Fight Fires Autonomously the Honeywell T55 engine from the Boeing CH-47 Chinook Plans for the S-92 “We had our engineers testing to or the General Electric T64 from the Sikorsky CH-53 Stallion make sure it would surpass any re - ERICKSON WANTS MODERN FADEC-EQUIPPED family. The company is still finalizing the specifications for the S-92A+ AVAILABLE FROM 2023; S-92B SETS 2025 ENTRY INTO SERVICE quirements that would come out in > new composite blade, which has been in development since > the industry,” Brady says. “Our tests ENGINES FOR S-64+ 2010, but flight trials have shown a 13% improvement in ef- > MATRIX AUTONOMOUS TECH AND PHASE IV GEARBOX IN UPGRADE showed the gearbox not only per - > AIR CRANE MATRIX DEMONSTRATION ficiency compared to the previous blade as well as reduced formed flawlessly, but—with only the ENVISAGED FOR 2021 fuel burn of around 3-5%. Guy Norris Anaheim, California auxiliary lube system—we ran it in our Other partners for the work will be announced in the com- testbed for over 7 hr. At that point we Tony Osborne Los Angeles ing months. s part of efforts to inject new while the S-92B variant is targeted at decided to stop the test. Even with a Erickson has owned the type certificate for the Sikorsky- life into the sluggish offshore entry into service in 2025 with an full load, it would have run out of fuel nternational demand for firefighting aircraft and the designed S-64 Skycrane—known to the U.S. Army as the Arotary-wing market, Sikorsky “indicative” price tag of $28.5 mil- by then.” The graduation test of the growth of complex urban engineering projects is prompt- CH-54 Tarhe—since the early 1990s and today owns and oper- is moving ahead with plans to offer a lion, Sikorsky says. Baseline features new gearbox without primary lubri- Iing Erickson to make investments for the future of its dis- ates 20 of the machines for the firefighting, precision construc- radically revamped version of its S-92 of both developments include the cation simulated a 500-nm (575-mi.) tinctive Air Crane heavy-lift helicopter. tion and aerial lift missions. They regularly deploy worldwide heavy-lift helicopter as well as a com- recently tested Phase IV main gear- flight at 80 kt. (92 mph). The Oregon-based company wants to transform the during the fire seasons to both the Southern and Northern prehensive upgrade package for the box—considered the top upgrade The gears were “pristine” when Sikorsky-designed machine’s hemispheres. Six of the legacy model—which will share many priority by all operators—as well as a torn down for inspection after the performance. The proposed Erickson-owned machines of the new features. package of weight reduction features test, Brady says, who adds the Phase S-64F+ Air Crane will be helped fight the devastat- The decision follows positive oper- and a higher maximum-gross-weight IV system has also completed more equipped with modernized ing forest fires in Australia. ator feedback to the plan, which was capability of 27,700 lb. (12,500 kg). than 200 hr. of flight tests. The gear engines, composite rotor originally announced at 2019’s HAI Audrey Brady, Sikorsky vice pres- will also have an increased time be- blades and advanced avion- Sikorsky’s Matrix Heli-Expo in Atlanta. The upgrade ident of commercial systems and tween overhaul of up to 25% and, along ics, including Sikorsky’s Ma- technology could allow is focused on boosting capability by services, characterizes operator re- with the rest of the A+ upgrade kit, trix autonomous technology, the Air Crane to fly will be certificated by the end of 2022 potentially enabling it to fly hazardous firefighting for availability the following year. hazardous firefighting mis- missions unmanned. The S-92B will build on the baseline sions without endangering elements of the A+ kit with addition-

the crew. Other Air Cranes are owned GUY NORRIS/AW&ST al items including: global, real-time “We will build the world’s by government forestry health and usage monitoring; advanced most advanced heavy-lift and agencies in Italy and South navigation; 20% larger cabin windows; heavy aerial [fire]-attack plat- Korea, and two additional titanium side frames; an improved cab- form,” Erickson CEO Doug aircraft were delivered to in door; and a lightweight interior. Kitani told journalists as he ERICKSON the latter in December. The upgrade also introduces the ini- announced the launch of the program here at Heli-Expo 2020. New Air Cranes are being restored from existing airframe tial phase of Sikorsky’s Matrix auton- He said the work would draw on the company’s now allocations using original Sikorsky data plates, but the air- omous flight and landing technology, decadelong composite rotor blade program, which is nearing craft are almost entirely built from scratch, rather like his- which—up until recently—has been its conclusion, with the FAA expected to certify the blades in toric warbird restoration projects. tested only on a limited range of fixed- the coming months. But with demand expected to grow in the coming years and rotary-wing platforms, including The first step in the modernization is a planned demon- from sovereign customers, Erickson is gearing up to produce The windows on the S-92B will the company’s Sikorsky Autonomy stration of the Matrix technology, in which the aircraft will entirely new-build models. Kitani predicts a need for 50-100 Research Aircraft S-76 and a Cessna be 20% larger, as demonstrated likely perform an autonomous firefighting mission collecting additional S-64s in the coming years, on top of the 40-50 air- Caravan. The system, which has been water and dropping it on a fire in 2021. frames currently in operation. in this cabin mockup. demonstrated under DARPA’s Aircrew “We are not talking about taking the crews out of the Air “We have seen in the firefighting mission that there is not Labor In-crew Automation System Crane but augmenting them, to enable them to take on these- enough aircraft to go around. . . . Where the operators used program, is being tested on a UH-60A high workload-demanding missions and do it safely over and to go between the Northern and Southern hemispheres for Black Hawk that is due to fly autono- over,” said Chris van Buiten, vice president of the Sikorsky In- firefighting season, that model is now breaking down,” said mously toward the end of the year. novations research organization. Installation will be invasive: Kitani. He believes this will be a prompt for nations to build adding initial elements of an increas- sponse to the upgrade and “B-variant” Based on the Matrix foundation, the On top of the Matrix processing units, containing digital terrain up their own national fleets of firefighting aircraft, based ingly automated cockpit, as well as im- proposals over the past 10 months as: upgrade will also include the next itera- and obstacle databases, the aircraft also will be fitted with lidar in-country all year around. proving reliability of the aircraft and “You got it right, but when can we get tion of the company’s automated rig ap- and cameras that will link to a fly-by-wire system with servos The S-64F+ project comes less than three years after the reducing operating costs. it and for how much?” proach system as well as the Sikorsky and clutches that drive the existing mechanical flight controls company exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, having The program, which includes an The new gearbox will “actually elimi- Innovations Laboratory-developed in response to commands from the management system. struggled to make a profit since its takeover of Evergreen S-92A+ upgrade kit for existing oper- nate two of the ‘land immediately’ flight SuperSearch search-and-rescue sys- “We are seeing fires intensifying. We need to be able to fight Heli copters in 2013. Kitani said the restructured company is ators and a new set of improvements manual requirements,” Brady says. The tem that uses advanced algorithms them at night and in reduced-visibility conditions,” added now in much better shape to handle the investments required for a future S-92B model, is also de- revised gearbox design incorporates to locate objects up to 30% faster. Rig Hayden Olson, general manager for Erickson Aerosystems. for the program. “We know existing customers want to expand signed to standardize the configura- material changes to increase resis- Approach 2.0 will be able to operate the “No matter how old the asset is, we can continue to apply their fleets, so we know the demand is there,” said Kitani. He tion across versions. The move will tance to corrosion and fatigue. It also helicopter from takeoff until around that technology and potentially make one of the best tools also cites the success of Erickson’s new defense maintenance, therefore enable faster reconfigura- consists of an auxiliary lube system that 0.25 nm from an offshore rig, at which for that mission.” repair and overhaul business for Marine Corps and Navy tion between roles and increase com- includes a supplemental pump and ex- point the pilots assume command. Along with the arrangement with Sikorsky, Erickson has CH-53 Super Stallion and Sea Dragon helicopters, which will monality among the offshore, search- tra lines to reuse oil that accumulates in An uprated General Electric CT7- selected Piasecki to act as a consultant to the S-64+ probe a “key contributor” in helping to fund the S-64F+ project. and-rescue and utility variants. the lower sump. Tests were conducted 8A6 turboshaft will also be available gram, supporting the engine selection process to replace the “We think we have a balance sheet and a business plan that The S-92A+ upgrade kit, priced at with the primary lubrication system de- as an option for both the A+ and the 1950s-era 4,500-shp Pratt & Whitney JFTD12-4A (T73-P-1). will allow us to execute this,” Kitani said. c $3 million, will be available from 2023, activated and all lubrication provided B versions. c

44 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 45 DEFENSE

Belgian Air Power licing, which the air force is currently leading in Lithuania. However, it has increasingly been able to share that bur- Transformation Will den with the Netherlands. The two nations already share the quick-reaction alert mission for national air policing. Touch Nearly Every Fleet Every four months, they rotate policing the skies of both countries as well as those of Luxembourg. Agreements are > BELGIUM’S FIRST F-35s WILL ARRIVE IN 2023 in place that allow a Belgian aircraft to intervene in an incident over the Netherlands and vice versa. The two countries > LUXEMBOURG’S ONLY A400M WILL BE also share a deployment to Jordan in support of operations CO-LOCATED WITH BELGIAN FLEET against the Islamic State group. If the Netherlands sends fi ghters, Belgium provides the Tony Osborne Brussels and Siauliai, Lithuania force protection, and vice versa. The hope is that as each country introduces the F-35, y the end of the decade, Belgium likely will have the other will be able to fi ll in gaps, freeing up resources. completed an air force transformation that replaces “That is a work in progress,” said De Decker. “But this is our Balmost every type in the inventory. way of working. With reduced numbers [of personnel] and Along with new fi ghters in the form of the Lock- heed Martin F-35, the Belgian Air Component will induct new airlifters, invest in and help generate a new European tanker capability, and introduce a modern unmanned surveillance capability. It is a radical step for an air force traditionally cautious about introducing new technology. “It is often better to learn from the fi rst users,” Col. Geert De Decker, Air Component chief of sta , told Aviation Week during an air force fl ight to Lithuania. “We do not have the luxury of the people or the money to go through the motions. We would rather wait a little longer and get the corrected and fi nal version.” Belgium has already begun retiring its Lockheed C-130H The approach goes some way toward explaining Hercules eet in favor of the Airbus A400M, the rst of how Belgium ended up being the last of the Airbus which will arrive during 2020. A400M partner nations to receive the type, with the fi rst expected to arrive later this year. The country was also the last of the four European Participating Air budgets, we [European air forces] must learn and support Forces that purchased F-16s during the late 1970s—with each other; it is logical that we do that.” Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway—to select its re- Belgian exchange pilots are fl ying with the UK Royal Air placement. Like the others, it opted for the F-35 (34 of them). Force to build experience on the A400M. The F-35As will be Block 4, Technology Refresh 3-stan- Brussels is purchasing seven A400Ms but will ultimately dard aircraft. The fi rst aircraft will be delivered in 2023, have access to eight airframes. Luxembourg’s single A400M and then more will arrive in batches of four in 2024-28 and will be integrated into the Belgian fl eet and based in Brus- in 2030. A batch of fi ve will be delivered in 2029. The fi rst sels, with Luxembourg providing additional pilots and aircraft will not be based in Belgium until 2025. ground personnel. Belgium has chosen to split the fl eet between two air bas- “We are looking forward to the A400M,” said De Decker, es, Florennes in Wallonia and Kleine Brogel in Flanders. “It is a modern aircraft with a lot of capabilities, and we are Eight of the aircraft also will be stationed at Luke AFB, hopeful that reliability will increase by the time it arrives.” Arizona, until 2028. “We are doing great stu with the C-130 [Hercules], but Splitting the aircraft between the two Belgian bases will it is getting old, [and] the A400M is much more fl exible,” boost the operational resiliency of the fl eet, noted De Decker. he added. “In operations, you need a second base to divert to, so hav- Another new capability being introduced is the General ing this resilience and redundancy is operationally sound Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian medium-altitude, long-endur- as well,” he said. ance UAV. The platform will replace Belgium’s B-Hunter, a The fleet will be the second-smallest in Europe, after derivative of the Israel Aerospace Industries Hunter plat- Denmark’s, which may indicate the air force must “adapt form, which performs regular fl ights in Belgian airspace, the level of ambition we have right now,” De Decker said. albeit segregated from other users. With the MQ-9B fully “With the numbers right now, we are falling short of the certifi ed, the air force is hopeful the aircraft can be operat- NATO targets we have,” he said. “So we will have to see ed in nonsegregated airspace. However, a capability gap is what we can do.” emerging between the B-Hunter withdrawal from service in Belgium, like its neighbors in the Netherlands, has regular- 2021 and the MQ-9B’s introduction in 2023, which De Decker ly punched above its weight in supporting NATO’s overseas is hoping can be addressed by sending Belgian personnel to operations—with Belgian F-16s operating over Afghanistan, be embedded in MQ-9 operations with France or the UK. Libya, the Balkans and, most recently, in Iraq and Syria while Four MQ-9B airframes will be purchased, along with two also supporting air-policing missions such as Baltic Air Po- ground control stations.

4 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE

Belgian Air Power licing, which the air force is currently leading in Lithuania. Belgium has also made investments in the Netherlands-led could emerge in the mid-2020s, De Decker has suggested. However, it has increasingly been able to share that bur- Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF). Pur- The air force, like the rest of the Belgian Armed Forces, Transformation Will den with the Netherlands. The two nations already share chasing 1,000 hr. a year has resulted in ordering an additional is also facing a complex recruitment challenge, exacerbated the quick-reaction alert mission for national air policing. Airbus A330 tanker, bringing the fl eet to eight aircraft. Buy- by aging personnel. Reports in the Belgian media last year Touch Nearly Every Fleet Every four months, they rotate policing the skies of both ing into the scheme means the air force can now reduce its suggested that the Belgian Armed Forces needed to recruit countries as well as those of Luxembourg. Agreements are reliance on leased commercial aircraft for transport fl ights. around 13,000 personnel in just four years to make up for an > BELGIUM’S FIRST F-35s WILL ARRIVE IN 2023 in place that allow a Belgian aircraft to intervene in an inci- Currently, the air force is leasing an Airbus A321 for its trans- expected 11,000 personnel expected to retire by 2024. Cuts in dent over the Netherlands and vice versa. The two countries port fl ights, and previously it used an A330-300. Both were the defense budget, working conditions, pay and competition > LUXEMBOURG’S ONLY A400M WILL BE also share a deployment to Jordan in support of operations leased from Portuguese operator Hi Fly. from the private sector have all contributed to the recruit- CO-LOCATED WITH BELGIAN FLEET against the Islamic State group. The air force is in the process of retiring its fl eet of Em- ment challenge. If the Netherlands sends fi ghters, Belgium provides the braer ERJ 135 and 145 transports and will introduce Dassault “We are still fi lling pilot slots,” said De Decker. “Today, we Tony Osborne Brussels and Siauliai, Lithuania force protection, and vice versa. Falcon 7X business jets for VIP duties. might have fi ve candidates for one slot; previously we would The hope is that as each country introduces the F-35, Training is also being transformed. In January, the air force have had 35.” Instead the “main choke points” are in technical y the end of the decade, Belgium likely will have the other will be able to fi ll in gaps, freeing up resources. retired its last Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet trainer, transition- sta¡ and air tra c controllers, he adds. completed an air force transformation that replaces “That is a work in progress,” said De Decker. “But this is our ing fast-jet training from Cazaux, France, to the Euro-NATO There is a hope that the new investments and technology Balmost every type in the inventory. way of working. With reduced numbers [of personnel] and Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard AFB, Texas. being introduced will attract a new generation of recruits. Along with new fi ghters in the form of the Lock- heed Martin F-35, the Belgian Air Component will elan Ar Force nentory ransoraton induct new airlifters, invest in and help generate a new European tanker capability, and introduce a ye Relaceent Frst elery modern unmanned surveillance capability. etand Sea ing I It is a radical step for an air force traditionally Air A Air A cautious about introducing new technology. “It is often better to learn from the fi rst users,” raer aat acon Col. Geert De Decker, Air Component chief of oceed erce Air A sta , told Aviation Week during an air force fl ight enera naic oceed artin A to Lithuania. “We do not have the luxury of the people or the money to go through the motions. IAI nter A enera Atoic Sardian We would rather wait a little longer and get the corrected and fi nal version.” Belgium has already begun retiring its Lockheed C-130H Agta AA The approach goes some way toward explaining Hercules eet in favor of the Airbus A400M, the rst of SIAIarcetti S Belgium replaced its long-serving Westland how Belgium ended up being the last of the Airbus which will arrive during 2020. Sared it te ec epic eran eorg te eterand and ora Sea Kings with the NH90 TTH and NFH. A400M partner nations to receive the type, with Source: elian Air Force the fi rst expected to arrive later this year. The coun- TONY OSORN/AW&ST OTOS try was also the last of the four European Participating Air budgets, we [European air forces] must learn and support Training for multiengine types continues in France, at Avord, De Decker said the introduction of types such as the F-35 Forces that purchased F-16s during the late 1970s—with each other; it is logical that we do that.” while helicopter training is also performed in France at Dax. will have a transformative e¡ ect not only on the air force but Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway—to select its re- Belgian exchange pilots are fl ying with the UK Royal Air The only air force fl ight training currently being performed also on the other armed services as well. placement. Like the others, it opted for the F-35 (34 of them). Force to build experience on the A400M. in-country is the pilot screening process using the SIAI-Mar- “We need to create awareness in our defense forces,” he The F-35As will be Block 4, Technology Refresh 3-stan- Brussels is purchasing seven A400Ms but will ultimately chetti SF.260, one of the few types in the air force that is not said. “Platforms like the F-35 are a unique tool that can be dard aircraft. The fi rst aircraft will be delivered in 2023, have access to eight airframes. Luxembourg’s single A400M being replaced—at least for now. A replacement program used by all of the armed forces.” c and then more will arrive in batches of four in 2024-28 and will be integrated into the Belgian fl eet and based in Brus- in 2030. A batch of fi ve will be delivered in 2029. The fi rst sels, with Luxembourg providing additional pilots and aircraft will not be based in Belgium until 2025. ground personnel. SPACE Belgium has chosen to split the fl eet between two air bas- “We are looking forward to the A400M,” said De Decker, es, Florennes in Wallonia and Kleine Brogel in Flanders. “It is a modern aircraft with a lot of capabilities, and we are Commercial Space and Airlines more spaceports will be needed to Eight of the aircraft also will be stationed at Luke AFB, hopeful that reliability will increase by the time it arrives.” meet future launch demand. Arizona, until 2028. “We are doing great stu with the C-130 [Hercules], but Debate Spaceport Needs “The key for moving spaceports for- Splitting the aircraft between the two Belgian bases will it is getting old, [and] the A400M is much more fl exible,” ward is developing a robust network boost the operational resiliency of the fl eet, noted De Decker. he added. > SPACEPORTS ENDORSED AT FAA CONFERENCE of spaceports across the nation,” said “In operations, you need a second base to divert to, so hav- Another new capability being introduced is the General Mark Lester, president and CEO of ing this resilience and redundancy is operationally sound Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian medium-altitude, long-endur- > GEORGIA COUNTY REVISES LICENSE APPLICATION state-owned Alaska Aerospace, which as well,” he said. ance UAV. The platform will replace Belgium’s B-Hunter, a operates the Pacifi c Spaceport Com- The fleet will be the second-smallest in Europe, after derivative of the Israel Aerospace Industries Hunter plat- Bill Carey Washington plex-Alaska on Kodiak Island. “There Denmark’s, which may indicate the air force must “adapt form, which performs regular fl ights in Belgian airspace, [are] only 11 licensed spaceports right the level of ambition we have right now,” De Decker said. albeit segregated from other users. With the MQ-9B fully ow many commercial space- say there are too many spaceports now; only four [have] vertical/orbital “With the numbers right now, we are falling short of the certifi ed, the air force is hopeful the aircraft can be operat- ports are needed in the U.S. to already, or not enough launch activity [launch] capabilities. That’s just not NATO targets we have,” he said. “So we will have to see ed in nonsegregated airspace. However, a capability gap is Hsupport what eventually could to justify the facilities that have been going to be enough, not for assured what we can do.” emerging between the B-Hunter withdrawal from service in be a trillion-dollar global space econo- established. access to space.” Belgium, like its neighbors in the Netherlands, has regular- 2021 and the MQ-9B’s introduction in 2023, which De Decker my, and how many are too many? Despite concerns over safety and The growing launch demand for ly punched above its weight in supporting NATO’s overseas is hoping can be addressed by sending Belgian personnel to During the recent FAA Commercial air tra c confl icts raised by the avi- communications, Earth observation operations—with Belgian F-16s operating over Afghanistan, be embedded in MQ-9 operations with France or the UK. Space Transportation Conference, ation industry as well as cases of pub- and other satellites, the emerging Libya, the Balkans and, most recently, in Iraq and Syria while Four MQ-9B airframes will be purchased, along with two spaceport operators were asked how lic opposition, the consensus among space tourism industry and future also supporting air-policing missions such as Baltic Air Po- ground control stations. they would respond to critics who operators speaking Jan. 30 was that point-to-point suborbital transporta-

4 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 4 SPACE

tion will require spaceports with dif- media reports that characterized the Airport in Watkins, Colorado, which is fering facilities in geographic locations revision of Camden County’s applica- located within miles of Denver Inter- other than coastal sites, operators said. tion as a setback.” national Airport. “To say there are too many implies Correspondence from the manager “We’ve been insulated because that they are all doing the same thing, of the FAA’s licensing and evaluation we’ve been launching from protected that somehow they have the same division, released due to a Freedom areas,” Jangelis argued. “We have to features. But they don’t,” said Scott of Information Act filing, revealed start looking at when we start launch- McLaughlin, director of business de- concern that a launch accident could ing from the middle of the lower 48 velopment for Spaceport America in cause an uncontrollable fire on the states, when we start launching di- southern New Mexico. connected Little or Big Cumberland rectly across populated areas. We “They are in different locations, Islands, which fall within an overflight are going to press the FAA to make they have different weather, some exclusion zone of the spaceport. The sure that it’s safe. We’re going to lobby of them launch over water, some are founders of Protect Cumberland Is- hard for that.” over land,” McLaughlin added. “The land, an organization that opposes the SpaceX Senior Counsel Caryn question is—what do we need to move facility, provided the correspondence Schenewerk countered that the com- the industry forward? We basically to Aviation Week. mercial space industry, with 40-50 need those spaceports.” Launch safety is a major concern launches projected by the FAA this year, is relatively young and still work- Major Airline Flight Corridors Near Spaceports ing toward the safety and reliability levels of an aviation industry that con- ducts 16.1 million flights a year. “Let’s not yell at our kid for not being able to fly an airplane when they can barely walk,” Schenewerk said.

Air traffic disruption caused by commercial space launch windows is a major concern of the airline industry.

“We’re still figuring out how to walk and run in this industry. . . . Please, take a breath, make sure you understand where we are today, that we are absolutely in line with getting to a level of safety that is commensurate Source: Congressional Research Service with yours.” While only a handful of the current The 11 FAA-licensed spaceports, of airlines; air traffic disruption is commercial sites are very active, pro- representing about half of the over- another issue. SpaceX’s historic Fal- ponents believe spaceports represent all commercial, federal government, con Heavy test launch from Kenne- an economic boon. university and private launch sites in dy Space Center, Florida, on Feb. 6, The New Mexico Spaceport Au- the U.S., are located in eight states. 2018, closed 1,000 mi. of airspace for thority on Jan. 30 released an econom- Additional commercial sites have 3 hr., resulting in 563 flight delays and ic impact analysis of the state-owned been proposed in Florida, Georgia, 34,000 additional miles flown by air- Spaceport America complex. While Hawaii, Texas and Michigan, accord- liners, according to the CRS. the authority’s expenditures of $270.3 ing to the Congressional Research A friendly argument waged by pan- million in fiscal 2008-18 exceeded the Service (CRS). elists at the FAA conference, which venture’s revenues of $239.5 million, The FAA was due to issue a deci- was cohosted by the Commercial the report found that the state’s in- sion on a commercial space launch site Spaceflight Federation, revealed on- vestment in the facility has already proposed by Camden County, Georgia, going tension between the airline and paid off by creating new economic in mid-December. But two days before commercial space industries as the opportunities. the end of a 180-day statutory review pace of launches increases. “A narrow view of the New Mexico period, the county asked the agency “We’re talking [about] spaceports Spaceport Authority might consider to “toll” or pause its evaluation and within 5 mi. of a metropolitan area only if the cumulative private sector accept a revised application. right now,” said Steve Jangelis, a Delta revenues received by the agency ex- Explaining its decision, the county Air Lines captain who serves as avia- ceed the expenditures made to create said it decided to refocus the operation safety chairman of the Air Line Spaceport America,” states the anal- tor’s license application on small rock- Pilots Association. “Eventually this ysis by accounting firm Moss Adams. ets with no first-stage return compo- will be the future.” “This perspective ignores the private nent because that is what the market In 2018, the pilots’ union opposed sector jobs and business activities that demands. It described the public establishing the Colorado Air and are facilitated by those investments of statement as a response to “recent Space Port at the former Front Range the state’s resources.” c

48 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST NS/AAR

SPACE SPACE tion will require spaceports with dif- media reports that characterized the Airport in Watkins, Colorado, which is a commune just south of Paris. fering facilities in geographic locations revision of Camden County’s applica- located within miles of Denver Inter- Europe Outlines Plans for Reusable The third demonstrator, now on the other than coastal sites, operators said. tion as a setback.” national Airport. Launcher Demonstrators drawing board, is the Callisto small- “To say there are too many implies Correspondence from the manager “We’ve been insulated because scale first stage. Measuring 13 m that they are all doing the same thing, of the FAA’s licensing and evaluation we’ve been launching from protected (43 ft.) in height and 1.1 m in diameter, that somehow they have the same division, released due to a Freedom areas,” Jangelis argued. “We have to it will use 3.6 metric tons (7,900 lb.) features. But they don’t,” said Scott of Information Act filing, revealed start looking at when we start launch- of liquid oxygen and hydrogen. Callis- McLaughlin, director of business de- concern that a launch accident could ing from the middle of the lower 48 to is a joint endeavor by CNES, DLR velopment for Spaceport America in cause an uncontrollable fire on the states, when we start launching di- The Prometheus engine, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration southern New Mexico. connected Little or Big Cumberland rectly across populated areas. We a key technology brick in Agency (JAXA). “They are in different locations, Islands, which fall within an overflight are going to press the FAA to make ESA’s reusable launcher JAXA is contributing a throttleable they have different weather, some exclusion zone of the spaceport. The sure that it’s safe. We’re going to lobby demonstration program, engine, modifi ed from an engine used of them launch over water, some are founders of Protect Cumberland Is- hard for that.” for demonstrations in the 1990s. The will undergo its rst over land,” McLaughlin added. “The land, an organization that opposes the SpaceX Senior Counsel Caryn 2020s version will be lighter and more question is—what do we need to move facility, provided the correspondence Schenewerk countered that the com- ring test in 2021. powerful, Astorg says. JAXA’s partic- the industry forward? We basically to Aviation Week. mercial space industry, with 40-50 ipation is critical, as Prometheus will need those spaceports.” Launch safety is a major concern launches projected by the FAA this not be ready in time. year, is relatively young and still work- Callisto’s fi rst launch is scheduled Major Airline Flight Corridors Near Spaceports ing toward the safety and reliability for 2022 from Europe’s spaceport in levels of an aviation industry that con- Kourou, French Guiana. A speed of ducts 16.1 million flights a year. Mach 1.7 and an altitude of 40 km “Let’s not yell at our kid for not be- FRANCE’S CNES SPURS EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY’S EFFORT (130,000 ft.) are targeted. To test ing able to fly an airplane when they > the reusability process, 10 fl ights are can barely walk,” Schenewerk said. > FULL-SCALE DEMONSTRATION PLANNED FOR 2023-24 planned over a six-month period. CNES has allotted €75 million ($82 Air traffic disruption caused by Thierry Dubois Lyon million) for the program, while JAXA commercial space launch windows is a and DLR are expected to confi rm their he Themis demonstration pro- Promethee engine demonstrator was contributions in March. major concern of the airline industry. gram for a future reusable launched in 2015. It was “European- The fourth demonstrator, Themis, Tlauncher garnered relatively ized” at an ESA ministerial council will be a full-scale, reusable fi rst stage. “We’re still figuring out how to walk modest funding at the European Space in 2016 and renamed Prometheus. It Spurred by CNES, some other ESA and run in this industry. . . . Please, Agency’s (ESA) ministerial council targets both lower production costs member states have subscribed to the take a breath, make sure you under- last November, but it may be a seed and reusability. program. The fi rst ground demonstra- stand where we are today, that we for a turnaround in the continent’s The key is throttleability. Compared tor, Themis 1G, is now a €36 million are absolutely in line with getting to space industry. to liftoff, landing with almost empty ESA project (the amount does not in- a level of safety that is commensurate The in-service Ariane 5 and in-de- tanks requires a lower, variable thrust clude the Prometheus engines). Source: Congressional Research Service with yours.” velopment Ariane 6, which caught of 30-100% of the maximum thrust, The prime contractor is Ariane- While only a handful of the current most of the attention and budget in Astorg explains. Existing European Works, which will see the company The 11 FAA-licensed spaceports, of airlines; air traffic disruption is commercial sites are very active, pro- ESA’s council decisions, belong to the engines are not throttleable. payroll grow to about 30 from 14. representing about half of the over- another issue. SpaceX’s historic Fal- ponents believe spaceports represent expendable category. Senior execu- The 2019 ministerial council in CNES and ArianeGroup created all commercial, federal government, con Heavy test launch from Kenne- an economic boon. tives at French space agency CNES Seville, Spain, decided to fund the ArianeWorks last year as an “accel- university and private launch sites in dy Space Center, Florida, on Feb. 6, The New Mexico Spaceport Au- would rather bet on reusable technol- liquid-oxygen/methane Prometheus eration platform” for the preparation the U.S., are located in eight states. 2018, closed 1,000 mi. of airspace for thority on Jan. 30 released an econom- ogies for Ariane 6’s successor, espe- program until engine qualification of future launchers. Other organiza- Additional commercial sites have 3 hr., resulting in 563 flight delays and ic impact analysis of the state-owned cially given strong competition from and deliveries for the Themis reusable tions have joined ArianeWorks such been proposed in Florida, Georgia, 34,000 additional miles flown by air- Spaceport America complex. While SpaceX. They have once again man- first-stage demonstration program as French aerospace lab ONERA and Hawaii, Texas and Michigan, accord- liners, according to the CRS. the authority’s expenditures of $270.3 aged to morph a French-devised are fulfi lled. propellant supplier Air Liquide. De- ing to the Congressional Research A friendly argument waged by pan- million in fiscal 2008-18 exceeded the demonstration program into an ESA Prometheus’ first firing test has signing Themis is the fi rst mission for Service (CRS). elists at the FAA conference, which venture’s revenues of $239.5 million, one. As a result, ESA has embarked been postponed to 2021. It will take the joint team. The FAA was due to issue a deci- was cohosted by the Commercial the report found that the state’s in- on in a long-term effort toward the place at German aerospace research Themis 1G will be evaluated at Ar- sion on a commercial space launch site Spaceflight Federation, revealed on- vestment in the facility has already design of a reusable heavy launcher. center DLR’s test facility in Lampold- ianeGroup’s Vernon facility, a com- proposed by Camden County, Georgia, going tension between the airline and paid off by creating new economic France has a road map for a reus- shausen, which will be busy with Ari- mune roughly 45 mi. west of Paris. in mid-December. But two days before commercial space industries as the opportunities. able launcher for 2028-30 and hopes to ane 6 development until then . It will use one Prometheus engine. the end of a 180-day statutory review pace of launches increases. “A narrow view of the New Mexico bring ESA on board. “We want to be The second demonstrator is the Themis 1F will also use a single en- period, the county asked the agency “We’re talking [about] spaceports Spaceport Authority might consider ready to launch a full development pro- Frog minivehicle, which integrates gine but will fl y from Kiruna, Sweden, to “toll” or pause its evaluation and within 5 mi. of a metropolitan area only if the cumulative private sector gram early in 2025,” says Jean-Marc several crucial technologies for a at low altitude (1-2 km). accept a revised application. right now,” said Steve Jangelis, a Delta revenues received by the agency ex- Astorg, CNES’ director of launchers. reusable stage. It uses a small turbo- The complete Themis 3F, with three Explaining its decision, the county Air Lines captain who serves as avia- ceed the expenditures made to create To begin the technology acquisi- fan, a Galileo receiver and an inertial Prometheus engines, is slated to said it decided to refocus the operation safety chairman of the Air Line Spaceport America,” states the anal- tion process, four demonstrators are measurement unit. “We are evaluat- launch from Kourou in 2023-24. While tor’s license application on small rock- Pilots Association. “Eventually this ysis by accounting firm Moss Adams. expected to bring reusable launcher ing the algorithms needed to navigate Callisto’s schedule has slipped, Themis’ ets with no first-stage return compo- will be the future.” “This perspective ignores the private technology to maturity. back to a launchpad—including fl ight timeline appears increasingly aggres- nent because that is what the market In 2018, the pilots’ union opposed sector jobs and business activities that The fi rst program was created by control, reignition and attitude con- sive, as Astorg used to refer to 2025. demands. It described the public establishing the Colorado Air and are facilitated by those investments of CNES and ArianeGroup without an- trol,” Astorg says. Frog is now un- Funding has yet to be obtained for statement as a response to “recent Space Port at the former Front Range the state’s resources.” c other ESA member state, and the dergoing tethered trials in Bretigny, Themis 1F and 3F. c

48 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 4 SPACE

ESA Struggling With Space’s engineers in Turin, Italy, have worked three shifts, seven days a week. The company is trying to recreate a 60- ExoMars 2020 Schedule day schedule margin, says Spoto. A second avionics bench was installed to work in parallel with the original one. > MULTIPLE ISSUES NEED TO BE RESOLVED OVER The Rosalind Franklin rover, under Airbus’ responsibility, THE NEXT THREE MONTHS is about to complete environmental trials in Toulouse. Delivery to Thales Alenia Space is planned for Feb. 7 in > EUROPEAN AND RUSSIAN COMPANIES ARE Cannes, in southeast France, where it will be integrated with HONING THEIR SPACE-VEHICLE SKILLS other modules for further tests. There, Thales Alenia Space has already completed integration of the DM, designed by Lavochkin. It includes Thierry Dubois Lyon, France the landing platform, where the rover is to be fitted. The spacecraft also comprises a carrier he European Space Agen- M. ALEXANDER/AIRBUS module, supplied by OHB. cy (ESA) and the ExoMars Central to the rover’s role is the T2020 exobiology mission’s drill, which Leonardo has designed contractors are working flat out to collect 6-ft.-deep soil samples. to catch up on delays and meet The onboard Analytical Laborato- the planned launch window this ry Drawer (ALD) uses a carousel summer. to distribute pulverized material to If the window is missed and the nine instruments, such as a mass launch postponed two years, the in- spectrometer, Spoto explains. On- struments that will eventually land site analysis of deep samples in a on Mars will still enable significant search for organic compounds is scientific progress. Meanwhile, for what makes ExoMars 2020 special. the European and Russian space “Mars used to have a denser industries, the program entails atmosphere, water on the surface moving up into more complex ve- and temperatures closer to those hicle designs. we find on Earth,” says Spoto. As The descent module’s (DM) radiation has deleted potential parachutes have caused engineers signs of past life from the sur - headaches, but recent testing has face, the sampling depth may be been encouraging. ExoMars 2020 key. The landing site in the Oxia uses a two-parachute system, each Planum region is made of ancient with its own pilot chute for ex - alluvia—the kind of environment traction. The first main parachute where fossils are found on Earth. will be deployed while the DM is ExoMars 2020 is honing Euro- still traveling at supersonic speed. pean and Russian skills. Rosalind Trials last year showed an anom- Franklin is Europe’s first planetary aly in deployment. Both canopies rover, the parachute system is the were damaged, and the investi- The Rosalind Franklin rover features most complex designed for an ESA gation showed the problem came advanced sample-analysis capability. mission, and the ALD marks the from the bags. They now open like first time European companies petals, explains Francois Spoto, ESA’s ExoMars 2020 proj- have created such a complex autonomous device. ect manager, thus avoiding frictional damage. For NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission, ESA will con- Six high-speed extraction tests on the ground have been tribute the Sample Fetch Rover, which will draw from Ex- successful since October, when ESA began using NASA’s oMars 2020, says Spoto. Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech facilities. ESA has learned 17 lessons from the crash of the Schiapa- Next in line are two high-altitude drop tests planned for relli landing module in 2016, says Spoto. “The failure came March in Oregon. In case of failure, an extensive redesign from an incompatibility between the flight software and the will be needed and will entail rescheduling the launch. The U.S.-supplied inertial measurement unit (IMU); this time, project’s “qualification and acceptance review” is planned we are using a European IMU qualified for [the] extreme for the end of April. mechanical environment that could result from parachute The launch window for a 2021 arrival on Mars opens July deployment.” 26 and closes Aug. 11; the next one is in August 2022. Since its 2016 inception, the Trace Gas Orbiter (the sec- Additional challenges for the mission emerged when it ond part of the mission) has looked for methane as a po - became apparent Russian prime contractor Lavochkin was tential sign of life. It will act as a communications relay for late. The company delivered DM equipment in May 2019 the rover. instead of September 2018. Moreover, propulsion system ESA’s budget for the combined 2016 and 2020 missions testing has been delayed to February, which in case of fail- stands at €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion). The Russian contribution ure, rules out the possibility of a redesign in time. Cracks in comes in kind, as opposed to in funding. The joint ESA-Ros- the DM’s front shield had to be repaired repeatedly cosmos effort hinges on a launch on a Proton-M rocket from Since the late Lavochkin delivery in May, Thales Alenia Baikonur, Kazakhstan. c

50 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SPACE SPACE

ESA Struggling With Space’s engineers in Turin, Italy, have worked three shifts, Sophisticated Clientele Drive the market for SAR imagery is U.S.- seven days a week. The company is trying to recreate a 60- based. To help break into the U.S. mil- ExoMars 2020 Schedule day schedule margin, says Spoto. A second avionics bench Changes in Space-based Sensing itary and government market, Iceye was installed to work in parallel with the original one. has partnered with a Michigan-based > MULTIPLE ISSUES NEED TO BE RESOLVED OVER The Rosalind Franklin rover, under Airbus’ responsibility, > FINLAND’S ICEYE LAUNCHES FIRST SERVICE startup called R2 Space, which plans THE NEXT THREE MONTHS is about to complete environmental trials in Toulouse. to pair Iceye-designed satellites with Delivery to Thales Alenia Space is planned for Feb. 7 in > AMERICA’S CAPELLA SPACE UNVEILS NEW SATELLITE an internally developed T-Link com- > EUROPEAN AND RUSSIAN COMPANIES ARE Cannes, in southeast France, where it will be integrated with munication system for transmitting HONING THEIR SPACE-VEHICLE SKILLS other modules for further tests. Steve Trimble Washington images to dedicated ground stations. There, Thales Alenia Space has already completed in- Until a month ago, Iceye’s ap - tegration of the DM, designed by Lavochkin. It includes recent series of moves by maps of RF emissions still rely on the proach to satellite design stood out Thierry Dubois Lyon, France the landing platform, where the rover is to be fitted. The space-based providers of syn- most sophisticated customers. from its closest competitor—Capella spacecraft also comprises a carrier thetic aperture radar (SAR) “The commercial market is truly Space. The latter entered the market

M. ALEXANDER/AIRBUS A he European Space Agen- module, supplied by OHB. imagery and mapping of radio fre - very difficult to capture right now,” in 2018 by launching the 50-kg-class cy (ESA) and the ExoMars Central to the rover’s role is the quency (RF) emissions highlights the says Rafal Modrzewski, Iceye’s CEO. Denali SAR satellite into orbit. Once T2020 exobiology mission’s drill, which Leonardo has designed increasing technical sophistication re- “I do believe that the [commercial] the Denali satellite started generat- contractors are working flat out to collect 6-ft.-deep soil samples. quired to compete in one of the most market is there long-term. And you ing images, the company quickly re- to catch up on delays and meet The onboard Analytical Laborato- challenging segments of the New know we are here with that mission. alized that a military customer base the planned launch window this ry Drawer (ALD) uses a carousel Space market. But the company has to generate for SAR images demanded a more summer. to distribute pulverized material to During a span of four days in late revenue. And we recognize that rev- powerful sensor and more sophisti- If the window is missed and the nine instruments, such as a mass January, Finland’s Iceye released a enue can, in the short term at least, cated control system. launch postponed two years, the in- spectrometer, Spoto explains. On- For several months, Capella se - struments that will eventually land site analysis of deep samples in a The Sequoia, Capella Space’s new satellite with an cretly developed a new, 100-kg-class on Mars will still enable significant search for organic compounds is satellite called Sequoia, which was 8-ft.-dia. synthetic aperture radar array, scientific progress. Meanwhile, for what makes ExoMars 2020 special. unveiled on Jan. 21 with a scheduled the European and Russian space “Mars used to have a denser is scheduled for launch in March. launch date in late March. industries, the program entails atmosphere, water on the surface “We realized that the market moving up into more complex ve- and temperatures closer to those needs were becoming increasing- hicle designs. we find on Earth,” says Spoto. As ly sophisticated and had evolved,” The descent module’s (DM) radiation has deleted potential the company said in a blog post. parachutes have caused engineers signs of past life from the sur - “With that, we must evolve our tech- headaches, but recent testing has face, the sampling depth may be nology as well.” been encouraging. ExoMars 2020 key. The landing site in the Oxia In addition to launching a new sat- uses a two-parachute system, each Planum region is made of ancient ellite design, Capella also automated with its own pilot chute for ex - alluvia—the kind of environment the ground-based operating system traction. The first main parachute where fossils are found on Earth. for the constellation, allowing deliv- will be deployed while the DM is ExoMars 2020 is honing Euro- ery of requested SAR imagery in less still traveling at supersonic speed. pean and Russian skills. Rosalind than 90 min. Trials last year showed an anom- Franklin is Europe’s first planetary “This is leapfrogging the entire in- aly in deployment. Both canopies rover, the parachute system is the dustry and brings SAR imaging from were damaged, and the investi- The Rosalind Franklin rover features most complex designed for an ESA space into a completely new era,” Ca- gation showed the problem came advanced sample-analysis capability. mission, and the ALD marks the pella’s blog post stated. from the bags. They now open like first time European companies Remote sensing is seldom limited to petals, explains Francois Spoto, ESA’s ExoMars 2020 proj- have created such a complex autonomous device. a single phenomenology. For decades, ect manager, thus avoiding frictional damage. For NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission, ESA will con- CAPELLA SPACE military operators have operated sat- Six high-speed extraction tests on the ground have been tribute the Sample Fetch Rover, which will draw from Ex- Dark Vessel Detection service for mar- be generated almost uniquely from ellites in multispectrum clusters, with successful since October, when ESA began using NASA’s oMars 2020, says Spoto. itime security agencies, Califor - governmental markets.” SAR, electro-optical and RF receiver Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech facilities. ESA has learned 17 lessons from the crash of the Schiapa- nia-based Capella Space unveiled a Iceye’s new service, developed with payloads orbiting in combination. A Next in line are two high-altitude drop tests planned for relli landing module in 2016, says Spoto. “The failure came powerful new SAR satellite, and Vir- data supplied from the company’s detection by the RF receiver prompts March in Oregon. In case of failure, an extensive redesign from an incompatibility between the flight software and the ginia-based Hawkeye 360 announced a first two, 85-kg-class (185-lb.) SAR a cross-check by the optical or SAR will be needed and will entail rescheduling the launch. The U.S.-supplied inertial measurement unit (IMU); this time, partnership to fuse its RF mapping satellites in orbit, reflects the inter- satellite. Many New Space startups project’s “qualification and acceptance review” is planned we are using a European IMU qualified for [the] extreme data with Airbus’ SAR and optical im- est of the unique customer base. By are still too small to develop a family of for the end of April. mechanical environment that could result from parachute agery products. overlaying SAR imagery on automatic sensing satellites, so they have looked The launch window for a 2021 arrival on Mars opens July deployment.” By emphasizing simpler—or more identification system data, Iceye can to develop virtual cluster networks 26 and closes Aug. 11; the next one is in August 2022. Since its 2016 inception, the Trace Gas Orbiter (the sec- cost-effective—rockets and mi- identify vessels seeking to hide from through partnerships. Additional challenges for the mission emerged when it ond part of the mission) has looked for methane as a po - cro-sized satellites, many companies in coast guards and fishery patrols by In the most significant such com- became apparent Russian prime contractor Lavochkin was tential sign of life. It will act as a communications relay for the New Space market seek to attract turning off their transponders. bination so far, RF sensing special- late. The company delivered DM equipment in May 2019 the rover. the broadest possible customer base The company launched the ser - ist Hawkeye 360 announced a part- instead of September 2018. Moreover, propulsion system ESA’s budget for the combined 2016 and 2020 missions by offering dramatically lower prices vice in January with two government nership with Airbus on Jan. 20. The testing has been delayed to February, which in case of fail- stands at €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion). The Russian contribution for imagery and other satellite-derived agencies as the first customers. Al- agreement allows Hawkeye customers ure, rules out the possibility of a redesign in time. Cracks in comes in kind, as opposed to in funding. The joint ESA-Ros- products. But the recent moves in the though Iceye was founded in Europe, to cross-check RF sensor data with the DM’s front shield had to be repaired repeatedly cosmos effort hinges on a launch on a Proton-M rocket from nonoptical vertical of the New Space Modrzewski confirms the company’s Airbus’ deployed constellation of larg- Since the late Lavochkin delivery in May, Thales Alenia Baikonur, Kazakhstan. c market show that SAR images and business model assumes about half of er SAR and optical satellites. c

50 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 51 SUSTAINABILITY ASA RESHAPING

THE FUTURE > HIGHER-SPEED NARROWBODY DESIGN ACHIEVES PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AT MACH 0.80 > HIGH-LIFT SYSTEM MEETS EXPECTATIONS FOLLOWING REFINEMENT IN TUNNEL

Graham Warwick NASA Langley Research Center, Virginia, and Guy Norris Orlando, Florida

As aircraft developers explore unconventional con- A detailed 8%-scale low-speed model fi gurations in search of higher e ciency and lower was used to test the TTBW’s high-lift emissions, wind tunnel testing is playing a key role, system. providing data to validate modeling and fi ll gaps languished until the early 2000s. ONE IN A SERIES in understanding. NASA and a Boeing-led team revived the concept, taking on the chal- NASA and Boeing have now com- sign with a higher cruise speed and a lenge of applying it to an advanced pleted five wind tunnel campaigns high-lift system for the aircraft’s slen- transonic airliner. The TTBW con- with one ultraefficient aircraft con- der wing, which is braced by trusses cept produced in 2010 was designed cept, the Transonic Truss-Braced to minimize the weight penalty of its to cruise at Mach 0.745, slower than a Wing (TTBW). In high- and low-speed long span. 737, to reduce fuel consumption. testing in 2019, the design—with its Thanks to the lower induced drag In 2013, a dynamically scaled half- low-drag, high-aspect-ratio wing— of the wing, which has an aspect ratio span model of the TTBW was tested continued to show promise as a future twice that of the 737-800, the com- in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel at 737-class airliner. pany estimates the TTBW will have NASA Langley Research Center. Eval- With a 170-ft.-span wing, which folds a 9% fuel-burn advantage over an uating aeroelastic behavior, this test to fi t airport gates, the TTBW concept equivalent-technology conventional confi rmed that the structural weight was originally developed for NASA in cantilever-wing airliner on ranges up penalty incurred to prevent fl utter of 2010 under Boeing’s Subsonic Ultra to 3,500 nm. the long, thin wing would still result in Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) The truss-braced wing has a long a feasible design. program to study new confi gurations heritage. French aircraft manufactur- High-speed tests followed in 2016 for ultrae cient aircraft that could en- er Hurel-Dubois developed a series and 2018, in the 11-ft. Transonic Wind ter service in the 2030-35 time frame. of designs in the early 1950s, and a Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Under the fourth and most recent handful of propeller-powered HD.34s, Center. These were focused on eval- phase of the SUGAR program, Boe- with an aspect ratio of 20:5, were pro- uating the wave-drag increment from

L CES AEE EASESLALE AES L CES AEE EASESLALE ing tested both a revised TTBW de- duced as survey aircraft. But the idea interference of the truss with the

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SUSTAINABILITY NASA ASA wing at the Mach 0.745 design cruise add the aerodynamics and structure divided into nine spanwise segments speed, and they concluded the penal- together, you get these nonlinear aero- to provide sufficient protection of the ty was manageable. elastic characteristics. There are also outboard wing, with a significant dif- Under SUGAR Phase 4, which be- other challenges such as certification ferential deflection angle from the in- RESHAPING gan in 2017, Boeing revised the design for icing, ditching, crashworthiness nermost to the outermost of the outer to the Mach 0.80 cruise speed typical and so on.” five segments to maintain acceptable of today’s narrowbody airliners. Wing Another design change was to stall behavior. “On the inboard wing, sweep was increased and thickness move the jury strut between the main we did a pretty good job, but on the modified and, to rebalance the air- strut and wing farther outboard. This outboard wing we ended up with dif- craft’s center of gravity, the wing root allowed the outermost section of the ferential rigging on the Krueger, which was moved forward and the strut root main strut to be thinned down where deflects as you go further outboard to moved aft. it meets the wing, reducing transonic keep that surface [flow] attached,” This resulted in “unstacking” of interference drag. This also raised says Harrison. the wing and strut, with the inboard the strength required inboard where In general, the performance of the strut no longer directly underneath strut thickness and chord were in- high-lift system met expectations, the wing. In addition to reducing creased, which boosted the lift gen- with stall angles and maximum lift lev- aerodynamic interaction between the erated by the strut. “Fortunately, that els in the landing configuration consis- surfaces, testing at Mach 0.80 in the also ended up being beneficial aero- tent with computational fluid dynamic THE Ames transonic tunnel in July-August dynamically,” he says. (CFD) predictions. But the limitations 2019 showed the change brought oth- High-speed testing at Ames, which of CFD tools in predicting high-lift per- er benefits. used a 4.5%-scale model, assessed formance with separated flow meant The unstacked geometry reduces vehicle lift and drag, longitudinal and the final rigging of the Kreuger leading compressibility drag by improving ve- directional stability, and included a edge, particularly outboard, required FUTURE hicle cross-section area distribution. preliminary assessment of flight con- refinement in the wind tunnel. The wing acts as a flow straightener, trol effectiveness. A lift-to-drag ratio “We had hoped for fewer segments, > HIGHER-SPEED NARROWBODY DESIGN ACHIEVES avoiding the need for stall protection of 23:1 was measured at Mach 0.80, but had to break it up,” Gatlin says of PREDICTED PERFORMANCE AT MACH 0.80 on the inboard strut during high-lift compared with around 18 for a con- the high-lift leading edge. The result operations. And streamwise separa- ventional aircraft. “The measurements was many small model parts, brack- > HIGH-LIFT SYSTEM MEETS EXPECTATIONS tion of the wing-body and strut-body were within a couple of drag counts, so ets, shims and spacers that had to be attachment points increases struc- we are pretty pleased with that,” says painstakingly removed, replaced and FOLLOWING REFINEMENT IN TUNNEL tural strength. Harrison. “It gives us confidence the cataloged to investigate different com- “The big carrot here is a dramatic vehicle is performing as we expected binations of deflection angles, gaps increase in wing aspect ratio, which transonically.” and overhangs. gives us a significant decrease in Low-speed runs in the 14 X 22-ft. “We started outboard, positioning Graham Warwick NASA Langley Research Center, Virginia, and Guy Norris Orlando, Florida induced drag,” says Neal Harrison, Subsonic Tunnel at Langley in Sep- them to optimize wing loading, then Boeing TTBW program manager. tember-November 2019, meanwhile, moved inboard. It was an iterative As aircraft developers explore unconventional con- A detailed 8%-scale low-speed model “We get efficiency from the strut- marked the first high-fidelity test of a process as they influence each other,” fi gurations in search of higher e ciency and lower was used to test the TTBW’s high-lift braced configuration itself, including high-lift system for the TTBW. “With he says. “Alignment was critical when system. a significant decrease in wing bend- such a high aspect ratio, and more we took things apart and put them emissions, wind tunnel testing is playing a key role, ing moment, which in turns leads to span to work with, there is a lot more back together. There was lots of stuff providing data to validate modeling and fi ll gaps languished until the early 2000s. the potential for simplified structural real estate for high-lift devices,” says in a small space.” ONE IN A SERIES in understanding. NASA and a Boeing-led team re- attachments such as hinge joints for Greg Gatlin, NASA Langley aerospace Different axial and radial locations vived the concept, taking on the chal- wing attachments.” research engineer. But the long span for strakes inboard on the engine na- NASA and Boeing have now com- sign with a higher cruise speed and a lenge of applying it to an advanced Moving it out from under the wing also drove the scale of the model down celles were also evaluated. Common pleted five wind tunnel campaigns high-lift system for the aircraft’s slen- transonic airliner. The TTBW con- allows the strut itself to carry lift loads to 8%, to fit in the tunnel. “The parts on nacelles today, these generate vor- with one ultraefficient aircraft con- der wing, which is braced by trusses cept produced in 2010 was designed and contribute to the aircraft’s aero- were so much smaller,” he says, which tices that favorably interact with flow cept, the Transonic Truss-Braced to minimize the weight penalty of its to cruise at Mach 0.745, slower than a dynamic performance. “By unstack- made refining the complex high-lift over the wing but were shown to be Wing (TTBW). In high- and low-speed long span. 737, to reduce fuel consumption. ing, we wanted to know if we could geometry a challenge. relatively ineffective in this configura- testing in 2019, the design—with its Thanks to the lower induced drag In 2013, a dynamically scaled half- make the strut a positive contributor “We looked at various fixed- and tion. One potential future advantage low-drag, high-aspect-ratio wing— of the wing, which has an aspect ratio span model of the TTBW was tested to lift rather than being a parasitic variable-camber Krueger leading of the TTBW would be the ability to continued to show promise as a future twice that of the 737-800, the com- in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel at structural element that just creates edges as well as a conventional slat, accommodate larger, higher-bypass 737-class airliner. pany estimates the TTBW will have NASA Langley Research Center. Eval- drag. In the end, we got significantly drooped leading edges and morphing engines under the high wing. With a 170-ft.-span wing, which folds a 9% fuel-burn advantage over an uating aeroelastic behavior, this test more lift off the strut,” Harrison told leading edges,” says Harrison. Ulti- The 14-ft.-span model was mounted to fi t airport gates, the TTBW concept equivalent-technology conventional confi rmed that the structural weight the American Institute of Aeronautics mately, a full-span, variable-camber on an oblique ventral sting to mini- was originally developed for NASA in cantilever-wing airliner on ranges up penalty incurred to prevent fl utter of and Astronautics SciTech conference Krueger was selected to maintain mize the support’s interference with 2010 under Boeing’s Subsonic Ultra to 3,500 nm. the long, thin wing would still result in in Orlando in January. compatibility with laminar flow, as a the wing, strut and empennage. The Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) The truss-braced wing has a long a feasible design. While the TTBW concept shows Kreuger can protect the leading edge design of the mount enabled the program to study new confi gurations heritage. French aircraft manufactur- High-speed tests followed in 2016 “potential for significant performance from contamination during low-speed TTBW model to remain in the center for ultrae cient aircraft that could en- er Hurel-Dubois developed a series and 2018, in the 11-ft. Transonic Wind improvements, there is no free lunch,” operations. A single-segment slotted of the 14 X 22-ft. tunnel as angles of ter service in the 2030-35 time frame. of designs in the early 1950s, and a Tunnel at NASA Ames Research he says. “A lot of technology has to be flap was chosen for the trailing edge, attack and sideslip were varied be - Under the fourth and most recent handful of propeller-powered HD.34s, Center. These were focused on eval- demonstrated and matured, including plus spoilers that could be drooped and tween runs. phase of the SUGAR program, Boe- with an aspect ratio of 20:5, were pro- uating the wave-drag increment from the wing-strut join. This is dimension- a simple flap on the strut at its root. NASA and Boeing had planned to

L CES AEE EASESLALE AES L CES AEE EASESLALE ing tested both a revised TTBW de- duced as survey aircraft. But the idea interference of the truss with the ally a small wingbox, and when you The leading-edge Kreuger had to be switch the sting to a dorsal mount to

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 53 SUSTAINABILITY

allow testing in ground e ect with the eas of investigation will include: cover to freestream pressure at the landing gear attached, but they ran out high-speed bu et, alternate high-lift trailing edge. of time because of the work required system development, transonic tests In an SNLF airfoil, a slot running to refi ne the high-lift system. The dor- at higher Reynolds numbers, aero- from the lower surface to the upper sal mount could be used for potential elastic analysis, detailed structural surface divides the airfoil into two ele- future acoustic testing of the TTBW. design of the wing and strut, and ments. A favorable pressure gradient Overall, results from the two wind acoustic assessment. can be achieved over almost all of the tunnel campaigns in 2019 showed “we Certification challenges such as forward element and most of the aft el- have benefi cial changes from going to bird-strike tolerance, crashworthi- ement, maintaining laminar fl ow over a higher sweep angle and that the ness, ditching characteristics and all but about 15% of the surface. design is well-suited to e cient oper- icing effects such as accretion and Passive and mechanically simple ations . . . [while] the low-speed per- protection are also to be investigated. compared with active laminar flow formance is in line with expectations,” Wind tunnel testing with ice shapes control, an SNLF airfoil is being de- says Harrison. to determine the impact on aerody- veloped for the TTBW under NASA’s University Leadership Initiative, by

NASA an academia/industry team of re- searchers led by the University of Tennessee. A 12.5% improvement in aerodynamic e ciency over the baseline fully turbulent wing is predicted, with wind tunnel tests on the TTBW planned for 2022. Boeing looked at a range of electric propulsion options for the TTBW under Phase 1, with the SUGAR Volt concept, and again under Phase 2, with the SUGAR Freeze concept. The latter was aimed at entry into service in the 2040 time frame and used liquid natural gas as the energy source. Subsequently, a series/parallel partial hybrid architecture for the TTBW was evaluated in more detail under NASA’s Hybrid Gas-Electric Propulsion project. This uses motor/ generators mounted on the under- wing turbofans to produce electricity to drive a boundary-layer-ingestion fan A 4.5%-scale model in the tail. evaluated transonic The fan ingests and reenergizes performance of the the fuselage boundary layer to reduce redesigned wing and cruise drag, while batteries are used to strut. boost power in the climb. This allows smaller turbofans that operate closer to maximum power in cruise, improv- Phase 4, due to wrap up in March, namics was planned for Phase 4, but ing e ciency. Boeing projects a 4.5% fu- also has included analysis of the aero- time ran out, says Gatlin. el-burn saving over a 3,500-nm mission. elastic behavior of the latest confi gu- Beyond the SUGAR effort, the The electrified propulsion study ration with its changes to wing sweep TTBW is acting as a “technology col- noted that “aggressive” investment as well as the position and shape of lector” for other potential advances. in technology development would be the main and jury struts. Structural These include NASA-funded studies of required to meet a “challenging” 2035 analysis indicated total weight for the a slotted natural laminar fl ow (SNLF) service-entry target. But putting higher-sweep wing is within 100 lb. of airfoil for the wing and a hybrid-elec- aside hybrid drivetrains or advanced that of the Mach 0.745 design. “On the tric confi guration developed by Boeing airfoils for now, the latest wind tunnel structures side, the results of our aero- with Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks and tests show the TTBW continues to elastic analysis indicate we need to go Georgia Tech. hold promise as a possible successor to a higher-fi delity tool. But overall the The original TTBW designed un- to today’s narrowbodies, with growth results suggest it is feasible,” he says. der SUGAR Phase 1 was intended to potential that stretches well into the Future work, under a fi fth SUGAR have drag-reducing laminar fl ow on future. c phase expected to be agreed with the wing, strut and nacelle. But the NASA in the second quarter, will fo- extent to which natural laminar fl ow See a timeline in photographs cus on further maturing the TTBW can be maintained over the chord of of the truss-braced wing: concept and reducing risk. Key ar- an airfoil is limited by the need to re-

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SUSTAINABILITY allow testing in ground e ect with the eas of investigation will include: cover to freestream pressure at the landing gear attached, but they ran out high-speed bu et, alternate high-lift trailing edge. of time because of the work required system development, transonic tests In an SNLF airfoil, a slot running to refi ne the high-lift system. The dor- at higher Reynolds numbers, aero- from the lower surface to the upper sal mount could be used for potential elastic analysis, detailed structural surface divides the airfoil into two ele- future acoustic testing of the TTBW. design of the wing and strut, and ments. A favorable pressure gradient Overall, results from the two wind acoustic assessment. can be achieved over almost all of the tunnel campaigns in 2019 showed “we Certification challenges such as forward element and most of the aft el- have benefi cial changes from going to bird-strike tolerance, crashworthi- ement, maintaining laminar fl ow over a higher sweep angle and that the ness, ditching characteristics and all but about 15% of the surface. Fleet Discovery Military design is well-suited to e cient oper- icing effects such as accretion and Passive and mechanically simple ations . . . [while] the low-speed per- protection are also to be investigated. compared with active laminar flow formance is in line with expectations,” Wind tunnel testing with ice shapes control, an SNLF airfoil is being de- says Harrison. to determine the impact on aerody- veloped for the TTBW under NASA’s University Leadership Initiative, by

NASA an academia/industry team of re- searchers led by the University of Tennessee. A 12.5% improvement in aerodynamic e ciency over the base- Discover Opportunity with line fully turbulent wing is predicted, with wind tunnel tests on the TTBW Unparalleled Tracking of planned for 2022. Boeing looked at a range of electric propulsion options for the TTBW Global Military Fleets under Phase 1, with the SUGAR Volt concept, and again under Phase 2, with the SUGAR Freeze concept. The latter Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery Military was aimed at entry into service in the Edition simplifi es tracking global military aircraft and 2040 time frame and used liquid natural gas as the energy source. engines — piloted and unpiloted, fi xed wing and rotary Subsequently, a series/parallel — so you can discover new opportunities to grow your partial hybrid architecture for the business. TTBW was evaluated in more detail under NASA’s Hybrid Gas-Electric ● Featuring over 70,000 aircraft and 110,000 Propulsion project. This uses motor/ generators mounted on the under- engines in service with more than 400 military wing turbofans to produce electricity operators. to drive a boundary-layer-ingestion fan A 4.5%-scale model in the tail. ● Searchable and fi lterable by aircraft, engine, evaluated transonic The fan ingests and reenergizes category, mission, lift type, weight class and performance of the the fuselage boundary layer to reduce redesigned wing and cruise drag, while batteries are used to more. strut. boost power in the climb. This allows See for yourself how Fleet Discovery Military can smaller turbofans that operate closer to maximum power in cruise, improv- help you track aircraft and engines so you never Phase 4, due to wrap up in March, namics was planned for Phase 4, but ing e ciency. Boeing projects a 4.5% fu- miss a business opportunity. also has included analysis of the aero- time ran out, says Gatlin. el-burn saving over a 3,500-nm mission. elastic behavior of the latest confi gu- Beyond the SUGAR effort, the The electrified propulsion study ration with its changes to wing sweep TTBW is acting as a “technology col- noted that “aggressive” investment as well as the position and shape of lector” for other potential advances. in technology development would be the main and jury struts. Structural These include NASA-funded studies of required to meet a “challenging” 2035 To learn more, go to analysis indicated total weight for the a slotted natural laminar fl ow (SNLF) service-entry target. But putting higher-sweep wing is within 100 lb. of airfoil for the wing and a hybrid-elec- aside hybrid drivetrains or advanced aviationweek.com/FDMilitary that of the Mach 0.745 design. “On the tric confi guration developed by Boeing airfoils for now, the latest wind tunnel structures side, the results of our aero- with Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks and tests show the TTBW continues to Or call: elastic analysis indicate we need to go Georgia Tech. hold promise as a possible successor Anne McMahon +1 646 291 6353 to a higher-fi delity tool. But overall the The original TTBW designed un- to today’s narrowbodies, with growth Thom Clayton +44 (0) 20 7017 6106 results suggest it is feasible,” he says. der SUGAR Phase 1 was intended to potential that stretches well into the Future work, under a fi fth SUGAR have drag-reducing laminar fl ow on future. c phase expected to be agreed with the wing, strut and nacelle. But the NASA in the second quarter, will fo- extent to which natural laminar fl ow See a timeline in photographs cus on further maturing the TTBW can be maintained over the chord of of the truss-braced wing: concept and reducing risk. Key ar- an airfoil is limited by the need to re-

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Wuhan Virus Devastates were down to 4,931 fl ights, 30% of their schedule. Genghis Khan Airlines and Chinese Commercial Aviation HNA Group’s Grand China Air and Fuzhou Airlines have all of their air- > THE COUNTRY’S INDUSTRY AND ROLE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY ARE craft on the ground. Okay Airlines and FAR BIGGER THAN DURING THE 2003 SARS OUTBREAK Jiangxi Airlines are operating at less than 10% of their schedules, while Air > ASIA-PACIFIC CARRIERS ARE HEAVILY EXPOSED TO TRAVEL SLUMP Travel, Guilin Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Jiangxi Airlines, Kunming Airlines, Bradley Perrett Sydney and Adrian Schofield Auckland Shenzhen Airlines, Tianjin Airlines and Tibet Airlines are below 20%. he fi gures for airlines based out- eigners who have been in the country The central government’s big car- side of mainland China sound within 14 days of arrival. riers—Air China, China Eastern Air- Tbad enough: On Feb. 5, they “With the larger number of carriers lines and China Southern Airlines— canceled 506 of their 1,145 scheduled now fl ying to and from China, the lev- are operating at about the industry fl ights to and from China. Yet this was el of competition is accordingly very average. Foreign pilots in China are nothing compared with the catastro- much greater” than during the Severe being told to take leave without pay. phe that has overtaken airlines within Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) One source says the pilots want to the country as it struggles to contain outbreak in 2003, says the Aviation leave China anyway, as so many for- the coronavirus that originated in Week Network’s CAPA – Centre for eigners in the country already have, Wuhan. Aviation. “One implication of that is and that carriers do not intend to can- The mainland Chinese air transport that once the virus is brought under cel the employment contracts. industry, the world’s second-largest, control, encouraging travelers back The Wuhan virus outbreak is more has halted fully 70% of its operations, into the market will involve signifi- signifi cant to global commercial avi- canceling 11,642 fl ights on Feb. 5 alone. cant discounting, at least for a period ation than the SARS epidemic was, Three small airlines have suspended of weeks,” CAPA states. “As a result, simply because the Chinese industry fl ying altogether. The outlook for in- the airlines involved are likely to ex- is now so much larger. It had about ternational demand is so bleak that perience prolonged fi nancial damage.” 700 aircraft in 2003; now it has almost the Civil Aviation Administration of At this early stage, there can be 4,000. China has become a larger part China (CAAC) has had to direct air- no precision in the outlook, since it of the world economy since then, too. lines not to cut services to the extent depends on the success of disease Meanwhile, Chinese tourists, far that air links with any foreign country containment, which authorities are richer than 17 years ago, have be- now served would be severed. unwilling to predict. For commercial come common sights in Europe, North Airlines elsewhere in the Asia-Pacif- aviation, the deep worry is that the America and especially Asia. For for- ic region are the next most a ected by virus may keep spreading, leading in eign airlines, having a strong China the coronavirus outbreak. Being closer other countries to the avoidance of network has become a way to boost to China and with economies having travel that has occurred in China. If the competitiveness of a connecting stronger links to it, they rely more on so, what is happening to the industry hub. Malaysia Airlines, for example, the Chinese market than do carriers there is a harbinger for the rest. focused on increasing its flights to elsewhere. Most major Asia-Pacific Daily reports by Chinese consul- China as one of the key parts of a turn- airlines have drastically cut back their tancy Varifl ight track the industry’s around plan. Chinese fl ights or stopped them com- descent. On Feb. 1, mainland Chinese In addition to all that, the Wuhan pletely. Governments in the region carriers operated 7,673 fl ights, just 45% virus is more contagious than SARS, have taken unusual steps to limit air of their schedule; four days later, they prompting swift and decisive action tra¢ c, with several—including Singa- pore, the Philippines, Australia, Viet- Chinese commercial aircraft are mostly idle. Xiamen nam and Indonesia—not accepting Airlines canceled 77% of its ights on Feb. 4. mainland Chinese passengers or for- AN ANS

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Wuhan Virus Devastates were down to 4,931 fl ights, 30% of their schedule. Genghis Khan Airlines and MARCH 12, 2020 Chinese Commercial Aviation HNA Group’s Grand China Air and Fuzhou Airlines have all of their air- Washington, DC > THE COUNTRY’S INDUSTRY AND ROLE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY ARE craft on the ground. Okay Airlines and FAR BIGGER THAN DURING THE 2003 SARS OUTBREAK Jiangxi Airlines are operating at less than 10% of their schedules, while Air > ASIA-PACIFIC CARRIERS ARE HEAVILY EXPOSED TO TRAVEL SLUMP Travel, Guilin Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Jiangxi Airlines, Kunming Airlines, Bradley Perrett Sydney and Adrian Schofield Auckland Shenzhen Airlines, Tianjin Airlines Celebrate the year’s most outstanding and Tibet Airlines are below 20%. he fi gures for airlines based out- eigners who have been in the country The central government’s big car- contributors to aviation, aerospace and defense. side of mainland China sound within 14 days of arrival. riers—Air China, China Eastern Air- Tbad enough: On Feb. 5, they “With the larger number of carriers lines and China Southern Airlines— canceled 506 of their 1,145 scheduled now fl ying to and from China, the lev- are operating at about the industry Aviation Week Network’s Laureate Awards have recognized the extraordinary achievements of fl ights to and from China. Yet this was el of competition is accordingly very average. Foreign pilots in China are individuals and teams in aviation, aerospace, and defense for 60+ years. The tradition continues as we nothing compared with the catastro- much greater” than during the Severe being told to take leave without pay. celebrate accomplishments that embody the spirit of exploration, innovation and vision. These are the phe that has overtaken airlines within Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) One source says the pilots want to people that inspire others to strive for progress, change and leadership in aviation and aerospace. the country as it struggles to contain outbreak in 2003, says the Aviation leave China anyway, as so many for- the coronavirus that originated in Week Network’s CAPA – Centre for eigners in the country already have, Wuhan. Aviation. “One implication of that is and that carriers do not intend to can- Category Winners Announced! The mainland Chinese air transport that once the virus is brought under cel the employment contracts. industry, the world’s second-largest, control, encouraging travelers back The Wuhan virus outbreak is more COMMERCIAL AVIATION SPACE has halted fully 70% of its operations, into the market will involve signifi- signifi cant to global commercial avi- Platforms – Airbus A321LR Launch Services – Spaceflight Industries canceling 11,642 fl ights on Feb. 5 alone. cant discounting, at least for a period ation than the SARS epidemic was, Leadership – David Neeleman, Airline Entrepreneur Space Science – Chang’e 4 Moon Landing Airline Strategy Three small airlines have suspended of weeks,” CAPA states. “As a result, simply because the Chinese industry – Adel Ali, CEO, Air Arabia Platforms – Mars Cube One Mission Propulsion – Rolls-Royce Operations – HawkEye 360 fl ying altogether. The outlook for in- the airlines involved are likely to ex- is now so much larger. It had about Sustainability – Boeing ecoDemonstrator Propulsion – Reaction Engines ternational demand is so bleak that perience prolonged fi nancial damage.” 700 aircraft in 2003; now it has almost Air Traffic Management – Aireon Supplier Innovation – OneWeb Satellites the Civil Aviation Administration of At this early stage, there can be 4,000. China has become a larger part MRO – Donecle Technology & Innovation – RemoveDEBRIS Mission China (CAAC) has had to direct air- no precision in the outlook, since it of the world economy since then, too. lines not to cut services to the extent depends on the success of disease Meanwhile, Chinese tourists, far DEFENSE BUSINESS AVIATION that air links with any foreign country containment, which authorities are richer than 17 years ago, have be- Platforms – Bell V-280 Valor Platform – Gulfstream G500/G600 now served would be severed. unwilling to predict. For commercial come common sights in Europe, North Best New Product – Embraer KC-390 Safety – Garmin Autoland Airlines elsewhere in the Asia-Pacif- aviation, the deep worry is that the America and especially Asia. For for- Manufacturing – Northrop Grumman F-35 Center Propulsion – Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E ic region are the next most a ected by virus may keep spreading, leading in eign airlines, having a strong China Fuselage Production Operations – Rega Swiss Air-Rescue the coronavirus outbreak. Being closer other countries to the avoidance of network has become a way to boost MRO – BAE Systems Typhoon Total MRO – Robotic Skies to China and with economies having travel that has occurred in China. If the competitiveness of a connecting Availability Enterprise Technology & Innovation – Wing Aviation Propulsion – AFRL Medium Scale Critical stronger links to it, they rely more on so, what is happening to the industry hub. Malaysia Airlines, for example, Components Scramjet Program LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT the Chinese market than do carriers there is a harbinger for the rest. focused on increasing its flights to Technology & Innovation – Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie Robert Leduc – President, Pratt & Whitney elsewhere. Most major Asia-Pacific Daily reports by Chinese consul- China as one of the key parts of a turn- Weapons – Missile Defense Agency Ground-based airlines have drastically cut back their tancy Varifl ight track the industry’s around plan. Midcourse Defense FTG-11 Chinese fl ights or stopped them com- descent. On Feb. 1, mainland Chinese In addition to all that, the Wuhan pletely. Governments in the region carriers operated 7,673 fl ights, just 45% virus is more contagious than SARS, have taken unusual steps to limit air of their schedule; four days later, they prompting swift and decisive action The Grand Laureate for Commercial, Defense, Space and Business Aviation tra¢ c, with several—including Singa- will be announced live at the awards ceremony. The Laureate Awards will also feature pore, the Philippines, Australia, Viet- Chinese commercial aircraft are mostly idle. Xiamen Tomorrow’s Leaders and the 20 Twenties. nam and Indonesia—not accepting Airlines canceled 77% of its ights on Feb. 4. mainland Chinese passengers or for- Join the Celebration laureates.aviationweek.com AN ANS

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

by governments to control movement demand,” Cathay says, stressing that all services to those countries except and a great reluctance in China to step its financial position remains strong. four flights a week each to Auckland, outdoors, let alone take a flight. UBS, a The financial condition of mainland Melbourne and Sydney. bank, expects the disease outbreak to carriers is unclear, though they are ob- Cathay’s traffic statistics for De- cut Chinese first-quarter GDP growth viously running deep daily losses. The cember show its demand was already by 2.2 percentage points. government has so far adopted one fragile as a result of the Hong Kong Suspensions of international ser- measure to help them, suspending col- protests. Overall passenger numbers vices by local and foreign airlines ev- lection of contributions to an aviation in December were down 3.6% com- idently led the CAAC to worry that infrastructure fund levied at 50 yuan pared to a year earlier, with inbound Chinese citizens could have difficulty ($7) per domestic passenger and 90 traffic about 46% lower. The mainland returning home. In directing Chinese yuan per international passenger. China, Japan and Taiwan markets airlines to avoid general severance Amid plummeting demand, Air Chi- were particularly weak. Before its lat- of air links to each foreign country, it na has applied to replace direct ser- est move, Cathay had already decided may also be trying to limit economic vices from Beijing to San Francisco to cut capacity by 1.4% in 2020, versus damage. and Washington with extensions on its previous plan of a 3.1% increase. “The CAAC requires that all main- the Beijing connections to Los Ange- The coronavirus outbreak will push land Chinese airlines, in considering les and New York, respectively. China the capacity cuts higher. service reductions in response to mar- Governments are advising citizens ket demand, ensure that connections to avoid China, so there is little demand with a foreign country are not severed, for flights there, hence the widespread except when the country has adopted service suspensions. Analysts at RBC a policy that stops flights,” the agency so far see travel restrictions having a says. This does not necessarily mean The financial limited impact on European airport the Chinese carriers themselves condition of mainland traffic, however—underlining the must maintain the connection, nor point that the greatest industry does it specify minimum frequen- carriers is unclear, damage is occurring in China. cies. Also, it seems that only one though they are Airbus has extended the Lunar city in a foreign country needs to New Year holidays for workers in be served. obviously running the Tianjin plant for final assembly For the week of Feb. 3, mainland deep daily of A320-family aircraft, meaning the China’s five largest international air global production system for the type travel markets, as measured by seats, losses. has indefinitely lost output of six air- were all in Asia. In order of size, they craft a month, 10% of the total. Airbus were Japan, Thailand, South Korea, China states that it is “observing Chi- Hong Kong and Taiwan, according to nese government requirements for staff data from CAPA and OAG. The larg- ROMANOVSKYY/GETTY IMAGES to work from home and is facilitating est non-Asian market was the U.S., in Southern Airlines and China Eastern with IT equipment so employees from seventh place. Airlines, meanwhile, have announced all locations including Tianjin do not The carrier outside mainland China cuts to international operations. need to travel to work where possible.” most exposed to the country’s market Air China’s plans for U.S. services The problem is not only that work- is Cathay Pacific’s Dragon subsidiary, exceed the CAAC minimum, since it ers cannot go to the plant. “With re- CAPA and OAG data show. Ranking will maintain two routes serving four gards to the business impact, China after it in terms of traffic are Asiana, cities. But the proposal outlined in domestic and worldwide travel re - Korean Air and All Nippon Airways. an emergency application to the U.S. strictions are posing some logistical The Cathay Pacific Group, which Transportation Department envisages challenges,” Airbus China says, adding has been recovering from a severe only four return flights a week on each that it is looking at how to mitigate the demand drop caused by the Hong route. The modified U.S. West Coast impact on production. Kong protests in 2019, will almost service will begin on Feb. 11, and the Safran Group is also affected in Chi- completely suspend its mainland Chi- new U.S. East Coast service on Feb. 12. na; it has extended vacations for its na network. In a stock exchange filing, There will be no other Air China 2,500 workers there. Boeing’s 737 com- Cathay says it will be “progressively flights to the U.S. pletion center in Zhoushan was already reducing” about 90% of its flights into China Eastern says it will cut its impacted by the MAX production halt. mainland China. The carrier will also Shanghai services to both New York Then there is the issue of parts make “significant reductions” across and Los Angeles to three flights week- supply from Avic. Most major civil air- the rest of its network over the next ly, dropping all other U.S. operations craft makers take parts from the state two months. The combined effect on from Feb. 10 until March 28. After group’s plants, which are presumably the Cathay mainline and Cathay Drag- that, U.S. capacity will be only half of as silent as factories in almost all in- on networks will be a capacity cut of the original schedule. Capacity to Ca- dustries throughout the country. Such about 30%, the airline says. nadian destinations and Amsterdam, parts include 787 rudders from Avic The reductions “are temporary for London, Paris, Melbourne and Syd- Chengdu and A350 elevators from a now and are driven by the [current] ney is to be halved. China Southern, composites factory at Harbin. c commercial and operational realities . . . formerly active in the Australian and as well as projections in short-term New Zealand markets, is dropping —With Helen Massy-Beresford in Paris

58 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION Registration by governments to control movement demand,” Cathay says, stressing that all services to those countries except NOW OPEN! and a great reluctance in China to step its financial position remains strong. four flights a week each to Auckland, outdoors, let alone take a flight. UBS, a The financial condition of mainland Melbourne and Sydney. bank, expects the disease outbreak to carriers is unclear, though they are ob- Cathay’s traffic statistics for De- cut Chinese first-quarter GDP growth viously running deep daily losses. The cember show its demand was already by 2.2 percentage points. government has so far adopted one fragile as a result of the Hong Kong Suspensions of international ser- measure to help them, suspending col- protests. Overall passenger numbers vices by local and foreign airlines ev- lection of contributions to an aviation in December were down 3.6% com- idently led the CAAC to worry that infrastructure fund levied at 50 yuan pared to a year earlier, with inbound Chinese citizens could have difficulty ($7) per domestic passenger and 90 traffic about 46% lower. The mainland returning home. In directing Chinese yuan per international passenger. China, Japan and Taiwan markets airlines to avoid general severance Amid plummeting demand, Air Chi- were particularly weak. Before its lat- of air links to each foreign country, it na has applied to replace direct ser- est move, Cathay had already decided may also be trying to limit economic vices from Beijing to San Francisco to cut capacity by 1.4% in 2020, versus damage. and Washington with extensions on its previous plan of a 3.1% increase. “The CAAC requires that all main- the Beijing connections to Los Ange- The coronavirus outbreak will push land Chinese airlines, in considering les and New York, respectively. China the capacity cuts higher. service reductions in response to mar- Governments are advising citizens ket demand, ensure that connections to avoid China, so there is little demand MARCH 9, 2020 with a foreign country are not severed, for flights there, hence the widespread except when the country has adopted service suspensions. Analysts at RBC Beverly Wilshire (A Four Seasons Hotel) a policy that stops flights,” the agency so far see travel restrictions having a Beverly Hills, CA says. This does not necessarily mean The financial limited impact on European airport the Chinese carriers themselves condition of mainland traffic, however—underlining the must maintain the connection, nor point that the greatest industry does it specify minimum frequen- carriers is unclear, damage is occurring in China. cies. Also, it seems that only one though they are Airbus has extended the Lunar city in a foreign country needs to New Year holidays for workers in be served. obviously running the Tianjin plant for final assembly For the week of Feb. 3, mainland deep daily of A320-family aircraft, meaning the China’s five largest international air global production system for the type travel markets, as measured by seats, losses. has indefinitely lost output of six air- were all in Asia. In order of size, they craft a month, 10% of the total. Airbus were Japan, Thailand, South Korea, China states that it is “observing Chi- Hong Kong and Taiwan, according to nese government requirements for staff data from CAPA and OAG. The larg- ROMANOVSKYY/GETTY IMAGES to work from home and is facilitating est non-Asian market was the U.S., in Southern Airlines and China Eastern with IT equipment so employees from seventh place. Airlines, meanwhile, have announced all locations including Tianjin do not The carrier outside mainland China cuts to international operations. need to travel to work where possible.” most exposed to the country’s market Air China’s plans for U.S. services The problem is not only that work- is Cathay Pacific’s Dragon subsidiary, exceed the CAAC minimum, since it ers cannot go to the plant. “With re- CAPA and OAG data show. Ranking will maintain two routes serving four gards to the business impact, China after it in terms of traffic are Asiana, cities. But the proposal outlined in domestic and worldwide travel re - MARCH 9-11, 2020 Korean Air and All Nippon Airways. an emergency application to the U.S. strictions are posing some logistical The Cathay Pacific Group, which Transportation Department envisages challenges,” Airbus China says, adding Beverly Wilshire (A Four Seasons Hotel) has been recovering from a severe only four return flights a week on each that it is looking at how to mitigate the Beverly Hills, CA demand drop caused by the Hong route. The modified U.S. West Coast impact on production. Kong protests in 2019, will almost service will begin on Feb. 11, and the Safran Group is also affected in Chi- completely suspend its mainland Chi- new U.S. East Coast service on Feb. 12. na; it has extended vacations for its na network. In a stock exchange filing, There will be no other Air China 2,500 workers there. Boeing’s 737 com- Cathay says it will be “progressively flights to the U.S. pletion center in Zhoushan was already Join Us at these Upcoming A&D Events Conference Delegate Profile: reducing” about 90% of its flights into China Eastern says it will cut its impacted by the MAX production halt. mainland China. The carrier will also Shanghai services to both New York Then there is the issue of parts Delegates at both the Aerospace Raw Materials & Manufacturers Supply Chain 2% 10% Conference Commercial Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference 26% Other make “significant reductions” across and Los Angeles to three flights week- supply from Avic. Most major civil air- and will hear C-Level Executives the rest of its network over the next ly, dropping all other U.S. operations craft makers take parts from the state from industry experts and manufacturers on the state of the industry, material and Managers 14% two months. The combined effect on from Feb. 10 until March 28. After group’s plants, which are presumably technology advancements, and achievements. If you are interested in having a the Cathay mainline and Cathay Drag- that, U.S. capacity will be only half of as silent as factories in almost all in- Presidents better understanding of aircraft programs and their production cycles, market on networks will be a capacity cut of the original schedule. Capacity to Ca- dustries throughout the country. Such about 30%, the airline says. nadian destinations and Amsterdam, parts include 787 rudders from Avic forecasts and delivery updates, these are the Conferences you won’t want to miss. The reductions “are temporary for London, Paris, Melbourne and Syd- Chengdu and A350 elevators from a now and are driven by the [current] ney is to be halved. China Southern, composites factory at Harbin. c For more information, please visit: SpeedNews.com/conferences commercial and operational realities . . . formerly active in the Australian and 20% 28% —With Helen Massy-Beresford in Paris VPS as well as projections in short-term New Zealand markets, is dropping Directors

58 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SINGAPORE AIRSHOW > S INGAPORE F-35B basing p. 61, airline challenges p. 64 and parts production p. 68 SOUTH KOREA LCCs p. 66 CHINA C919 testing p. 68 FIGHTER FOCUS > INDONESIAN AIR FORCE WANTS F-16s; PHILIPPINES CONSIDERS THEM > THAILAND’S REQUIREMENT IS MORE DISTANT

Bradley Perrett Beijing current-production F-16 Block 70/72, but the term is sometimes mistakenly used to refer to that new-built version. nterest in fighter acquisitions is bubbling in Southeast Asia, Saab has offered the Gripen C/D to the even if the timing of program launches is unclear. Indonesia Philippines. wants more aircraft of types that it has in service, while the The Philippine Air Force has Philippines aims to return to fighter operation. Thailand is planned to buy four aircraft in this I multirole fighter program in 2021, fol- expected to make a purchase during the decade, though not immi- lowed by eight in 2022 and 12 more lat- nently, while Malaysia is focusing on light combat aircraft (LCA). er. The government has not confirmed the scale of the acquisition, however. In each of these countries, budget- F-16s in three production standards. Twelve Korea Aerospace Industries ing allocations tend to be hard to pre- It is already awaiting deliveries of FA-50 supersonic attack jets current- dict, and major military acquisitions 11 Sukhoi Su-35s, supplementing 16 ly provide limited air-to-air capability are often talked about long before Su-27s and Su-30MK2s. Again, the for the Philippines. President Rodri- they come to fruition—with much go Duterte called in 2017 and 2018 chopping and changing along the Indonesia has five Sukhoi Su-27s for acquisition of another 12 FA-50s, way. Still, prospects of fighter orders (pictured) and 11 but that idea appears to have been in Southeast Asia are supported by Su-30MK2s. set aside. An FA-50 order the aging of current fleets, the rising would compete with the threat of China and economic growth fighter program for funds. rates generally stronger than those of The Royal Malaysian Air developed countries. Force (RMAF) has had to Singapore, which tends to say little give up plans for 18 fight- but follows through on what it does say, ers to replace F-5s and has begun the process of acquiring its Mikoyan MiG-29s now in next fighter type, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning (see facing page). Indonesia should be next in placing an order, and it has decided on the Lockheed Martin F-16. “We will buy two squadrons of jet fighters as part of our strategic plan for 2020-24,” Air Force storage; it now does not SGT. SHANE GIDALL/COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Chief Air Marshal Yuyu Sutisna said expect the government to in October. “We’re aiming for the lat- order fighters within about the next est type, the Block 72 Viper.” 10 years. Instead, the service is aiming The air force hoped to begin the at acquisition of LCAs to replace its 18 purchases in 2020, Yuyu said. The BAE Systems Hawk 100s and 200s, sur- plan implies an order for 32 F-16 Block vivors of 28 delivered in the 1990s. 72s, since Indonesia’s practice when A year ago the RMAF issued re - buying for complete squadrons is to standard squadron strength suggests quests for information for 12 LCAs. acquire 16 fighters for each. five more Su-35s will be wanted. It sought information on the FA-50, Two years ago deliveries were com- The F-16V is a candidate for the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Tejas and pleted for 24 ex-U.S. F-16s upgraded Philippines’ plan to restore the fight- Sino-Pakistani JF-17, addressing its to Block 52+ standard and called er capability it lost when it retired its request for information for the JF-17 F-16IDs; one crashed, so 23 remain. last F-5 in 2005. The other possibility to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Indonesia is also updating F-16A/ is the Saab Gripen, according to De- rather than the other manufacturer Bs, of which it has 10. The country fense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. of the type, Avic Chengdu. The Tejas therefore appears to be planning to “F-16V” is the designation of an and JF-17 are in fact fighters, but not accumulate a force of more than 60 F-16 upgraded to the standard of the as powerful as the types the RMAF

60 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SINGAPORE AIRSHOW SINGAPORE F-35B basing p. 61, airline challenges p. 64 and parts production p. 68 ina > T Soteast sian Figte Foes SOUTH KOREA LCCs p. 66 CHINA C919 testing p. 68 F lo S ipen FEFT F ES lpa et F Next fighters: Under study. Next fighters: Choice *14 F-5s to be upgraded to F-5TH standard. Sot between Gripen and F-16V FIGHTER FOCUS ina Sea imminent. 24 required. MS INDONESIAN AIR FORCE WANTS F-16s; PHILIPPINES CONSIDERS THEM SMM > F a inese THAILAND’S REQUIREMENT IS MORE DISTANT Next fighters: Light combat aircraft to > replace Hawks and MB-339 trainers. lai

SORE Bradley Perrett Beijing current-production F-16 Block 70/72, FS but the term is sometimes mistakenly F lo used to refer to that new-built version. Next ﬁghters: Four F-35Bs to be ordered; nterest in fighter acquisitions is bubbling in Southeast Asia, options on eight more to be taken. A total Saab has offered the Gripen C/D to the of 60 may be needed. even if the timing of program launches is unclear. Indonesia Philippines. *Being upgraded to F-16V standard. wants more aircraft of types that it has in service, while the The Philippine Air Force has OES Philippines aims to return to fighter operation. Thailand is planned to buy four aircraft in this I multirole fighter program in 2021, fol- SM expected to make a purchase during the decade, though not immi- lowed by eight in 2022 and 12 more lat- S nently, while Malaysia is focusing on light combat aircraft (LCA). er. The government has not confirmed F lo the scale of the acquisition, however. F lo T In each of these countries, budget- F-16s in three production standards. Twelve Korea Aerospace Industries a ing allocations tend to be hard to pre- It is already awaiting deliveries of FA-50 supersonic attack jets current- Next ﬁghters: 11 Su-35s on order; dict, and major military acquisitions 11 Sukhoi Su-35s, supplementing 16 ly provide limited air-to-air capability more likely. Air force wants to order two are often talked about long before Su-27s and Su-30MK2s. Again, the for the Philippines. President Rodri- squadrons of F-16 Block 72s in 2020. they come to fruition—with much go Duterte called in 2017 and 2018 *Being upgraded. chopping and changing along the Indonesia has five Sukhoi Su-27s for acquisition of another 12 FA-50s, Source: Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery way. Still, prospects of fighter orders (pictured) and 11 but that idea appears to have been in Southeast Asia are supported by Su-30MK2s. set aside. An FA-50 order the aging of current fleets, the rising would compete with the earlier hoped for; the Dassault Rafale F-35B Opens Basing Options threat of China and economic growth fighter program for funds. had been a leading contender. rates generally stronger than those of The Royal Malaysian Air The government’s attitude toward for Singapore developed countries. Force (RMAF) has had to national defense is not encouraging Singapore, which tends to say little give up plans for 18 fight- for the RMAF. “Everybody knows: If > PLANS COVER AN ORDER FOR FOUR, OPTIONS ON EIGHT but follows through on what it does say, ers to replace F-5s and any country wants to invade Malay- has begun the process of acquiring its Mikoyan MiG-29s now in sia, they can walk through, and we will > THE STOVL CHOICE FOLLOWS CHINA’S SOUTHWARD EXPANSION next fighter type, the Lockheed Martin not resist because it’s a waste of time,” F-35 Lightning (see facing page). Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Bradley Perrett Beijing Indonesia should be next in placing said in May 2019. an order, and it has decided on The Royal Thai Air Force acking strategic depth, tiny Sin- March 2019, but the choice of the F-35B the Lockheed Martin F-16. (RTAF) would like to buy gapore has always been nervous was only hinted at until now. The fight- “We will buy two squadrons more Gripen C/Ds to add Labout its runways—as it demon- ers will replace Lockheed Martin F-16s. of jet fighters as part of our stra- to the 11 it has in service, but it has strates when it practices flying fighters Potentially worth $2.75 billion, the tegic plan for 2020-24,” Air Force storage; it now does not SGT. SHANE GIDALL/COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA instead embarked on an upgrade of from roads. Now the availability of the proposed order includes engines, elec- Chief Air Marshal Yuyu Sutisna said expect the government to F-5E/Fs that includes modern radars Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning has tronic warfare systems and support in October. “We’re aiming for the lat- order fighters within about the next and air-to-air missiles. The work is offered to dramatically increase the re- systems, including the Autonomic Lo- est type, the Block 72 Viper.” 10 years. Instead, the service is aiming remarkable for such an old type: the silience of the city-state’s air defenses. gistics Information System and train- The air force hoped to begin the at acquisition of LCAs to replace its 18 first Northrop F-5 flew in 1963, based The impending induction of short- ing at a so far undisclosed U.S. location. purchases in 2020, Yuyu said. The BAE Systems Hawk 100s and 200s, sur- on the T-38, which first flew in 1959. takeoff-and-vertical-landing (STOVL) In principle, F-35Bs should be able plan implies an order for 32 F-16 Block vivors of 28 delivered in the 1990s. The service has 47 F-16s, according fighters for the country’s armed forces to use more bases and runways than 72s, since Indonesia’s practice when A year ago the RMAF issued re - to Aviation Week’s Fleet Discovery da- may be all the more necessary as China Singapore’s F-16s and Boeing F-15SGs buying for complete squadrons is to standard squadron strength suggests quests for information for 12 LCAs. tabase, and has suggested it would like expands down the South China Sea. can, says airpower analyst Ben Ho of acquire 16 fighters for each. five more Su-35s will be wanted. It sought information on the FA-50, to move to replace them within five Singapore is in easy reach of ballistic Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School Two years ago deliveries were com- The F-16V is a candidate for the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Tejas and years. The project is still preliminary, missiles, cruise missiles and tactical of International Studies. Ho notes pleted for 24 ex-U.S. F-16s upgraded Philippines’ plan to restore the fight- Sino-Pakistani JF-17, addressing its reportedly at the study stage. The aircraft that China could base on that as recently as 2016 the Repub - to Block 52+ standard and called er capability it lost when it retired its request for information for the JF-17 RTAF is emphasizing the importance artificial islands. lic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16IDs; one crashed, so 23 remain. last F-5 in 2005. The other possibility to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex of using indigenous technology, espe- Singapore has asked to buy four practiced flying F-15SGs from a road Indonesia is also updating F-16A/ is the Saab Gripen, according to De- rather than the other manufacturer cially in software. An order to replace F-35Bs and take options on eight alongside Tengah Air Base. Bs, of which it has 10. The country fense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. of the type, Avic Chengdu. The Tejas all the F-16s at once is unlikely, since more, the Defense Security Cooper- For the exercise, the armed forces therefore appears to be planning to “F-16V” is the designation of an and JF-17 are in fact fighters, but not 18 have had a midlife update to keep ation Agency says. Defense Minister removed, in 48 hr., fixtures such as accumulate a force of more than 60 F-16 upgraded to the standard of the as powerful as the types the RMAF them in service until 2035. c Ng Eng Hen flagged an F-35 order in lampposts and bus stops and fitted

60 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 61 SINGAPORE AIRSHOW

airfield lights and arrestor gear along operation of F-35Bs. And F-35Bs’ ability says the F-16s will be obsolescent after the road, which measures 2,500 X 24 to take off vertically—an operational 2030. Indonesia has ordered Sukhoi m (8,200 X 79 ft.). That length is abun- requirement not, as widely assumed, Su-35s but only 11 of them. dant even for conventional takeoff and a mere air show trick—means they can Still, Singapore’s technocratic cul- landing by fighters. move around a badly damaged base or ture would always drive its military to- The F-35B has been designed to escape one that is thoroughly wrecked. ward the best affordable fighter, Davis execute a 1,020-km (550-nm) strike Analyst Malcolm Davis, from the adds. And the choice of F-35s provides mission after a 180-m takeoff run from Australian Strategic Policy Institute commonality with the U.S., Australia an assault ship that provides 5 m/sec. in Canberra, sees China as the key fac- and Japan. (16 ft./sec.) of wind over the deck. So tor behind the Singaporeans’ decision The initial acquisition of only four about 200 m of fixed runway should to buy F-35Bs. “They recognize that F-35Bs with options on eight more be enough, though it would not allow China’s growing capability in the South is typical of Singapore’s gradualist aborting takeoff late in the run. But China Sea—driven by the island build- approach to inducting military equip- that does not mean any straight, flat ings and the addition of the Shandong ment, says Ho. It usually makes a lim- road of that length will do. The depar- aircraft carrier—and China’s ability to ited purchase, slowly builds up the ture path must be unobstructed and use conventional precision ballistic mis- new capability, evaluates effectiveness operators must be able to fuel, arm siles means that Singapore can’t assume and integration with other systems, and service aircraft there—but the its airbase infrastructure will remain and only then buys more, Ho adds. potential for dispersing fighters away untouched in a conflict,” says Davis. This helps explain why Singapore has from main bases must still be multi- Moreover, it could be argued that begun buying fighters now to replace plied enormously. Singapore does not need F-35s of any F-16s whose gradual retirement may With F-35Bs, the main bases and version to face the air forces of the two extend into the 2030s. civil airfields, including giant Changi countries against which it traditionally Later orders may cover the conven- Airport, could maintain operations structures its armed forces, Indonesia tional-runway version of the Light- while suffering damage that grounds and Malaysia. Singapore’s 60 F-16C/D ning, the F-35A, since it is cheaper, conventional fighters. Shorter lengths Block 52s are being upgraded to the says Ho. It also has longer range. of unbroken runway and taxiway at F-16V standard, equivalent to the cur- Japan plans to buy 42 F-35Bs as those locations would be sufficient for rent-production F-16 Block 72. Yet Ng well as 105 F-35As. c

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62 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SINGAPORE AIRSHOW airfield lights and arrestor gear along operation of F-35Bs. And F-35Bs’ ability says the F-16s will be obsolescent after the road, which measures 2,500 X 24 to take off vertically—an operational 2030. Indonesia has ordered Sukhoi m (8,200 X 79 ft.). That length is abun- requirement not, as widely assumed, Su-35s but only 11 of them. dant even for conventional takeoff and a mere air show trick—means they can Still, Singapore’s technocratic cul- landing by fighters. move around a badly damaged base or ture would always drive its military to- Second Annual Urban Air Mobility Conference The F-35B has been designed to escape one that is thoroughly wrecked. ward the best affordable fighter, Davis execute a 1,020-km (550-nm) strike Analyst Malcolm Davis, from the adds. And the choice of F-35s provides mission after a 180-m takeoff run from Australian Strategic Policy Institute commonality with the U.S., Australia an assault ship that provides 5 m/sec. in Canberra, sees China as the key fac- and Japan. (16 ft./sec.) of wind over the deck. So tor behind the Singaporeans’ decision The initial acquisition of only four Shaping the Future of about 200 m of fixed runway should to buy F-35Bs. “They recognize that F-35Bs with options on eight more be enough, though it would not allow China’s growing capability in the South is typical of Singapore’s gradualist Transportation for Smart Cities aborting takeoff late in the run. But China Sea—driven by the island build- approach to inducting military equip- that does not mean any straight, flat ings and the addition of the Shandong ment, says Ho. It usually makes a lim- and Regional Connectivity road of that length will do. The depar- aircraft carrier—and China’s ability to ited purchase, slowly builds up the ture path must be unobstructed and use conventional precision ballistic mis- new capability, evaluates effectiveness operators must be able to fuel, arm siles means that Singapore can’t assume and integration with other systems, Manufacturers, regulators, technology and service aircraft there—but the its airbase infrastructure will remain and only then buys more, Ho adds. innovators, municipal leaders and the potential for dispersing fighters away untouched in a conflict,” says Davis. This helps explain why Singapore has infrastructure & investment community from main bases must still be multi- Moreover, it could be argued that begun buying fighters now to replace will come together to discuss on-demand plied enormously. Singapore does not need F-35s of any F-16s whose gradual retirement may With F-35Bs, the main bases and version to face the air forces of the two extend into the 2030s. aviation for smart cities and to create a civil airfields, including giant Changi countries against which it traditionally Later orders may cover the conven- new future for air transportation. Airport, could maintain operations structures its armed forces, Indonesia tional-runway version of the Light- while suffering damage that grounds and Malaysia. Singapore’s 60 F-16C/D ning, the F-35A, since it is cheaper, • Roadmap to Reality: conventional fighters. Shorter lengths Block 52s are being upgraded to the says Ho. It also has longer range. What’s Been Done and What’s Next? of unbroken runway and taxiway at F-16V standard, equivalent to the cur- Japan plans to buy 42 F-35Bs as those locations would be sufficient for rent-production F-16 Block 72. Yet Ng well as 105 F-35As. c • Hybrid Electric Propulsion & Electrifi cation • Security: Cyber, Supply Chain, and Passenger Perspectives Looking for commercial, • Public Acceptance: Noise, Ride Quality, April 27-28, 2020 and Why Are Those Things military or space solutions? Dallas, TX • Infrastructure, Zoning and the At international aerospace and defense events, the Shop on-site or online anytime Environment USA Partnership Pavilion features America’s most innovative equipment, products and services. Visit the Featured current events SPECIAL FEATURE: Pavilion and learn how U.S. manufacturers and suppliers Dallas – Fort Worth Case Study can help you gain a competitive advantage in any Join local leaders in the emerging market sector, anywhere in the world. UAM market for an inside look at how North Texas is leading the way as one of the fi rst test sites for UAM operations in the United States. www.kallman.com/singapore-2020

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Growing Challenges Spur Scoot. SIA will then have two major entities—a full-service operation and an LCC. Scoot completed its merger with SIA Change for SIA subsidiary Tigerair in 2017, consolidating the LCC units. A major part of the group reshuffle has been deciding > LCC SCOOT HAS MAJOR ROLE IN GROUPSTRATEGY which routes are best suited to full-service or LCC busi - ness models. SIA determined that many of the full-service > RAPID FLEET REFRESH MAKES NEW ROUTES VIABLE routes—particularly those operated by SilkAir—would be more profitably served by Scoot. A handful of Scoot routes Adrian Schofield have also been shifted back to the full-service carrier. In parallel with the route transfers, SilkAir was due to lthough Singapore Airlines (SIA) has forged a rep- send 14 of its Boeing 737-800s to Scoot. However, the MAX utation as one of the most successful carriers in groundings changed this plan, and the 737-800s have been Athe industry, it is not resting on its laurels. SIA is retained in the full-service operation. Gaining a slew of new continuing to evolve its multipronged business model, as it routes without the expected additional aircraft has caused seeks new partnerships and introduces advanced aircraft operational challenges for Scoot, said Stephen Barnes, types to broaden its network capabilities. SIA’s senior vice president of finance, during the group’s SIA’s moves are partly driven by a set of well-known stra- most recent analyst briefing. tegic challenges. Competition on long-haul connecting mar- Scoot, launched 6-7 years ago, has an important—and kets is coming from the giant Middle Eastern carriers and increasing—role in the group’s long-term strategy. The increasingly from the Chinese mainland airlines. Closer to LCC’s fleet has grown to 20 Boeing 787s, 26 Airbus A320s home, low-cost carriers (LCC) in Asia are continuing to ramp and two A320neos, allowing it to serve both long-haul and up their fleets with vast order backlogs. And other Asian short-haul routes.

New models like the Airbus A350-900 are helping SIA replace older widebodies and increase network options. AIRBUS

hubs are attempting to emulate the success of Singapore’s Scoot now accounts for 20% of the group’s capacity as Changi Airport as a global connection point. measured in available seat-kilo meters and almost 30% of More recent headaches have arisen that are complicating its passenger enplanements. Having the LCC in its portfo- SIA’s structural and fleet changes. The grounding and delays of lio means the SIA group can serve more destinations that Boeing 737 MAXs have disrupted growth plans and the trans- would otherwise not be viable, SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong fer of aircraft between group entities. And while SIA is still told analysts. For example, Scoot operates about 70% of the financially healthy, its profits have been under pressure from group’s routes in the crucial China market. the same market forces that are hurting other Asian carriers. Partly due to the change in the 737 plans, Scoot only SIA believes it can best compete in its markets by having grew its capacity by “a relatively moderate” 5.6% in the different business models under its group umbrella, an ap- six months through September, said Barnes—compared proach also followed by major Asia-Pacific carriers such as to double-digit growth rates in previous years. However, Qantas and All Nippon Airways (ANA). In addition to the Scoot’s expansion is likely to pick up pace again, as the parent airline, SIA has SilkAir as a full-service narrowbody carrier has more than 45 A320neo and A321neo aircraft operator—although this brand will soon disappear—and remaining on order. Scoot as an LCC. While the LCC growth is a long-term bet, in the nearer The group has been fine-tuning and streamlining its term this part of the business is proving to be a drag on prof- structure, and an important development is the integration its. The group managed to increase its net profit to S$206 of SilkAir into the parent Singapore Airlines. This process million ($151 million) for the six months through Sept. 30, its is due to continue this year, when the last of the SilkAir fiscal first half. However, this was mainly due to the healthy routes will be transferred to either the full-service parent or performance of the parent airline.

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Growing Challenges Spur Scoot. SIA will then have two major entities—a full-service The SilkAir subsidiary recorded an operating loss of S$19 than 70 widebodies remaining on order, including Airbus operation and an LCC. Scoot completed its merger with SIA million for the period, and Scoot dipped to a S$77 million A350-900s, 787-10s and 777Xs. Change for SIA subsidiary Tigerair in 2017, consolidating the LCC units. loss. Both were wider losses compared to the previous year. However, these deliveries are mainly aimed at fleet re- A major part of the group reshuffle has been deciding While SilkAir will be absorbed into the parent carrier, SIA placement in the short-term. The mainline parent carrier > LCC SCOOT HAS MAJOR ROLE IN GROUPSTRATEGY which routes are best suited to full-service or LCC busi - will expect the Scoot unit to turn around its losses and jus- is on track to add 16 A350-900s and six 787-10s in the fiscal ness models. SIA determined that many of the full-service tify the group’s investment. In particular, the long-haul LCC year through the end of March, offset by the retirement of > RAPID FLEET REFRESH MAKES NEW ROUTES VIABLE routes—particularly those operated by SilkAir—would be operations will need to prove they can be financially success- 17 widebodies. This will mean a net increase of just five aircraft more profitably served by Scoot. A handful of Scoot routes ful. Other carriers are also pursuing to a total of 133 in the mainline fleet. Adrian Schofield have also been shifted back to the full-service carrier. the long-haul LCC concept, but the Goh says the carrier’s strategy of In parallel with the route transfers, SilkAir was due to jury is still out on whether this model Singapore Airlines has “aggressive [fleet] renewal” will con- lthough Singapore Airlines (SIA) has forged a rep- send 14 of its Boeing 737-800s to Scoot. However, the MAX can be sustainably profitable. tinue. The improved performance of utation as one of the most successful carriers in groundings changed this plan, and the 737-800s have been Goh admits Scoot is experiencing enjoyed a long run the new aircraft types “gives us the Athe industry, it is not resting on its laurels. SIA is retained in the full-service operation. Gaining a slew of new “transitional issues.” He notes the capability to operate to markets [that] continuing to evolve its multipronged business model, as it routes without the expected additional aircraft has caused carrier is faced with the need to build of annual profits— previously would not have been possi- seeks new partnerships and introduces advanced aircraft operational challenges for Scoot, said Stephen Barnes, traffic and market presence on the and remarkably has ble or commercially feasible.” types to broaden its network capabilities. SIA’s senior vice president of finance, during the group’s routes it has taken over. Scoot has A good example of this is the ultra- SIA’s moves are partly driven by a set of well-known stra- most recent analyst briefing. also been dealing with continuing never posted long-range (ULR) version of the A350- tegic challenges. Competition on long-haul connecting mar- Scoot, launched 6-7 years ago, has an important—and operational challenges as some of its 900 that SIA began receiving in late kets is coming from the giant Middle Eastern carriers and increasing—role in the group’s long-term strategy. The 787s have had to be grounded due a full-year loss. 2018. These -900ULRs have been used increasingly from the Chinese mainland airlines. Closer to LCC’s fleet has grown to 20 Boeing 787s, 26 Airbus A320s to problems with Rolls-Royce Trent to operate new nonstop routes to the home, low-cost carriers (LCC) in Asia are continuing to ramp and two A320neos, allowing it to serve both long-haul and 1000 engines. U.S., boosting SIA’s network in that up their fleets with vast order backlogs. And other Asian short-haul routes. In addition to its Singapore-based businesses, SIA is ex- country and helping increase market share on connecting panding its interests in other countries. SIA helped estab- services from the U.S. to Southeast Asia, India and Austral- lish Indian carrier Vistara in 2013 and holds a 49% stake. asia, says Goh. A350s are also allowing the carrier to open New models like the Airbus A350-900 The past year has seen rapid growth, with Vistara on track secondary European markets such as Dusseldorf, Germany. are helping SIA replace older widebodies to almost double its fleet size and number of weekly flights SIA benefits from having its base at one of the world’s and increase network options. by the end of the financial year on March 31 compared to premier hubs, Singapore’s Changi Airport. This has helped the same point in 2019. in the development of the international connecting traffic SIA is also looking to form strategic partnerships with that represents a key part of the carrier’s business model. other airlines. Unlike markets such as Europe and the U.S., Like SIA, Changi is looking for new ways to stay ahead of there are fewer prospects for consolidation for Southeast the competition. The airport has continued to pour money Asian carriers due to restrictions on cross-border owner- into new facilities, such as the centerpiece mixed-use com- ship. There are investment opportunities, such as SIA’s plex called the Jewel that opened in April 2019. Expansion stake in Vistara and its minority share in Virgin Australia, work begins this year on Terminal 2, with completion sched- but true mergers and takeovers are rarer. uled for 2024. A massive fifth terminal is slated to open in Goh says he “is not holding [his] breath” over the pros- the early 2030s. pect of increasing liberalization in airline ownership in the The SIA Group had a combined 51.1% share of total seats Asia-Pacific region. One of the major hurdles is that the departing Changi for the week of Jan. 27, according to data airlines involved are often national carriers, he says. How- from CAPA – Centre for Aviation and OAG. This comprised ever, Goh stresses SIA can “look at other ways to cooperate” 29.3% for Singapore Airlines, 15% for Scoot and 6.8% for through deeper commercial relationships. “Until the regu- SilkAir. The next-highest airline was Jetstar Asia with 6%. latory environment in this part of the world allows for more The group also holds strong positions in its key overseas AIRBUS liberal consolidations, this will be a good interim solution.” markets. In Australia, for example, only the Qantas Group hubs are attempting to emulate the success of Singapore’s Scoot now accounts for 20% of the group’s capacity as SIA already has joint business agreements in certain has a higher share of international seats than SIA, CAPA Changi Airport as a global connection point. measured in available seat-kilo meters and almost 30% of markets with airlines such as Lufthansa, Air New Zealand data shows. The three SIA Group airlines had 188 departures More recent headaches have arisen that are complicating its passenger enplanements. Having the LCC in its portfo- and Scandinavian Airlines. In two new and significant steps, from Australia during the week of Jan. 27, and Australia rep- SIA’s structural and fleet changes. The grounding and delays of lio means the SIA group can serve more destinations that SIA plans to form closer partnerships with Malaysia Air- resents SIA’s largest overseas market as measured by seats. Boeing 737 MAXs have disrupted growth plans and the trans- would otherwise not be viable, SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong lines (MAB) and ANA. The SIA/MAB proposal was unveiled SIA has enjoyed a long run of annual profits—and re - fer of aircraft between group entities. And while SIA is still told analysts. For example, Scoot operates about 70% of the last year and is still awaiting regulatory approval. SIA and markably has never posted a full-year loss. Some financial financially healthy, its profits have been under pressure from group’s routes in the crucial China market. ANA confirmed on Jan. 31 they will also seek approval for results have caused concern in recent years, however. For the same market forces that are hurting other Asian carriers. Partly due to the change in the 737 plans, Scoot only a joint venture. example, a rare quarterly loss in 2017 was enough to spur SIA believes it can best compete in its markets by having grew its capacity by “a relatively moderate” 5.6% in the The Malaysia Airlines arrangement is different from SIA’s the airline to launch a three-year program to reexamine different business models under its group umbrella, an ap- six months through September, said Barnes—compared other commercial partnerships because the airlines’ hubs many areas of its business. And in the group’s most recent proach also followed by major Asia-Pacific carriers such as to double-digit growth rates in previous years. However, are so close together. So instead of cooperating between full financial year through March 2019, its net profit was Qantas and All Nippon Airways (ANA). In addition to the Scoot’s expansion is likely to pick up pace again, as the two widely separated home markets, the carriers will look nearly halved compared to the previous year. parent airline, SIA has SilkAir as a full-service narrowbody carrier has more than 45 A320neo and A321neo aircraft at “what is the best way to get a win-win for two airlines in The carrier reported encouraging results for the first six operator—although this brand will soon disappear—and remaining on order. the same region,” Goh says. The carriers intend to operate a months of its 2019-20 financial year, with profits up by about Scoot as an LCC. While the LCC growth is a long-term bet, in the nearer revenue-sharing joint venture on flights between Singapore 5%. Full-year results will no doubt come under pressure The group has been fine-tuning and streamlining its term this part of the business is proving to be a drag on prof- and Malaysia and expand codesharing on other routes. from recent events such as the decline in Hong Kong traffic structure, and an important development is the integration its. The group managed to increase its net profit to S$206 Major changes are also underway in the SIA Group’s due to the protest movement and the still-unfolding crisis of SilkAir into the parent Singapore Airlines. This process million ($151 million) for the six months through Sept. 30, its fleet. As well as the stalled introduction of MAXs and the related to the coronavirus outbreak in SIA’s key China mar- is due to continue this year, when the last of the SilkAir fiscal first half. However, this was mainly due to the healthy planned addition of A321neos in the narrowbody operation, ket. However, SIA has proven repeatedly that its business routes will be transferred to either the full-service parent or performance of the parent airline. new types are altering the widebody fleet. SIA has more model is strong enough to withstand such external shocks. c

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Jeju Air Looks To Strengthen Its based in South Korea. In order of fleet size these include Jeju Air, Grip on South Korean LCC Sector T’Way Air, Air Busan, Jin Air, Eastar Jet and Air Seoul. Jin Air is owned by > LCC AIMS TO GROW MARKET LEAD WITH EASTAR JET ACQUISITION Korean Air, while Air Busan and Air Seoul are part of the Asiana group. > DEAL MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD CONSOLIDATION With this many LCCs, some degree of consolidation was considered likely. Adrian Schofield The Jeju move could be a significant step in that direction. eju Air’s proposed takeover of The two potential partners are both The picture has been further com- Eastar Jet would give it a dom- committed to the Boeing 737 MAX plicated by the South Korean govern- Jinant position in South Korea’s for growth and replacement needs. ment’s approval of three new LCCs last low-cost carrier (LCC) market, boost- Eastar ordered six MAXs, of which year. One of them, Fly Gangwon, began ing it into the ranks of the major play- two have been delivered but remain operations in November and currently ers in the Asia-Pacific LCC sector. out of service due to the type’s global operates two 737s. Aero K is set to The acquisition would help Jeju grounding. Jeju has 40 MAXs on or- launch by early March with one Airbus break clear from what has become a der. While delivery timetables for the A320 and expects to add two more of congested field of LCC competitors in MAX remain uncertain, there is clear- the same aircraft type by the end of South Korea. While the deal has yet ly scope for fleet growth. this year. The third of the startups, Air to close, and Jeju has not revealed its Offshore expansion is also a pos- Premia, plans to begin operations in plans for Eastar, the obvious motive sibility, as Eastar has established a September and is due to receive three is to gain a scale advantage in key do- joint venture carrier in Thailand. The leased Boeing 787s this year. mestic and international markets. carrier, Thai Eastar Jet, has received Jeju Air accounts for 9% of South Korea’s total international seats, behind only full-service carriers Kore- an Air and Asiana, according to data from the CAPA – Centre for Aviation and OAG for the week of Jan. 20. Eastar, meanwhile, has 3.9% of the international seats. Although Jeju and Eastar’s combined share would still be third-highest, it would be much closer to Asiana’s 14.9% share. In terms of the LCC market, Jeju has the most international seats with a 23.8% share, while Eastar has the fifth-highest seat share with 10.3%. If they join forces, they would account for about one-third of the international seats in South Korea’s LCC sector—including overseas carriers. The two airlines have a particularly strong presence on routes to Japan. Jeju Air held a 15.1% share of seats in the South Korea-Japan market for the Sources: CAPA and OAG week of Jan. 20, ranking it third among all carriers. Eastar Jet accounted for Jeju Air operates 44 Boeing 737- government approval and is expected 5.7% of seats in that period. Together, 800s, which already represents to begin operations this year. the pair’s 20.8% seat share would be the largest fleet of any South Kore- Jeju Air revealed in a Dec. 18 stock only slightly behind the 22% held by an-based LCC. Eastar Jet also flies market filing that it intends to pur- market leader Korean Air. 737s, with 21 of the -800 variant and chase a 51.2% controlling share in While it is very important for two -900ERs, according to the Aviation Eastar Jet, and the pair signed a mem- South Korean airlines, the South Week Intelligence Network Fleet Dis- orandum of understanding to this ef- Korea-Japan market has been hit by covery database. This means the two fect. The deal was initially expected a demand drop due to political ten - carriers would have good commonality, to close by Dec. 31, but Jeju twice ex- sion between the two countries. LCCs and potentially a combined fleet of 67 tended its due diligence period and have been particularly affected, with aircraft. A narrowbody fleet of this size now plans to close the purchase by Jeju Air and Eastar cutting capacity would still trail Asian LCC giants such the end of February. The purchase in this market by 26.9% and 44.2% as AirAsia, Lion Air and IndiGo but is valued at an estimated 69.5 billion year-on-year, respectively, data from would be larger than second-tier LCCs Korean won ($58.2 million). CAPA and OAG shows. including Cebu Pacific and Scoot. There are six incumbent LCCs The two airlines have also cut ca-

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Jeju Air Looks To Strengthen Its based in South Korea. In order of Jeju Air and Eastar Jet fleet size these include Jeju Air, both operate fleets of Grip on South Korean LCC Sector T’Way Air, Air Busan, Jin Air, Eastar Boeing 737-800s, with Jet and Air Seoul. Jin Air is owned by 737 MAXs on order. > LCC AIMS TO GROW MARKET LEAD WITH EASTAR JET ACQUISITION Korean Air, while Air Busan and Air Seoul are part of the Asiana group. pacity to China due to > DEAL MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD CONSOLIDATION With this many LCCs, some degree of the recent coronavirus consolidation was considered likely. outbreak. However, Adrian Schofield The Jeju move could be a significant they are less reliant step in that direction. on China, which rep - eju Air’s proposed takeover of The two potential partners are both The picture has been further com- resents the third-larg- Eastar Jet would give it a dom- committed to the Boeing 737 MAX plicated by the South Korean govern- est international mar- Jinant position in South Korea’s for growth and replacement needs. ment’s approval of three new LCCs last ket for Jeju and fourth low-cost carrier (LCC) market, boost- Eastar ordered six MAXs, of which year. One of them, Fly Gangwon, began for Eastar. ing it into the ranks of the major play- two have been delivered but remain operations in November and currently Jeju would strength- ers in the Asia-Pacific LCC sector. out of service due to the type’s global operates two 737s. Aero K is set to en its position in the

The acquisition would help Jeju grounding. Jeju has 40 MAXs on or- launch by early March with one Airbus domestic market JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET break clear from what has become a der. While delivery timetables for the A320 and expects to add two more of by combining with congested field of LCC competitors in MAX remain uncertain, there is clear- the same aircraft type by the end of Eastar. In December, South Korea. While the deal has yet ly scope for fleet growth. this year. The third of the startups, Air Jeju accounted for to close, and Jeju has not revealed its Offshore expansion is also a pos- Premia, plans to begin operations in 15.1% of South Korea’s plans for Eastar, the obvious motive sibility, as Eastar has established a September and is due to receive three domestic passenger is to gain a scale advantage in key do- joint venture carrier in Thailand. The leased Boeing 787s this year. total, while Eastar mestic and international markets. carrier, Thai Eastar Jet, has received Jeju Air accounts for 9% of South tallied 9.4%, according to data from have major ramifications for the 16 daily flights from Gimpo to Jeju, Korea’s total international seats, be- South Korea’s Ministry of Land, In- key domestic route between Seoul’s and Jeju Air has up to 21 per day. To- hind only full-service carriers Kore- frastructure and Transport. Gimpo International Airport and the gether they would have the highest an Air and Asiana, according to data Any operational partnership be- island of Jeju, which is the world’s number of flights and seats on this from the CAPA – Centre for Aviation tween Jeju Air and Eastar Jet would busiest domestic route. Eastar has route, CAPA data shows. c and OAG for the week of Jan. 20. Eastar, meanwhile, has 3.9% of the international seats. Although Jeju and Eastar’s combined share would still be third-highest, it would be much closer to Asiana’s 14.9% share. In terms of the LCC market, Jeju has the most international seats with a 23.8% share, while Eastar has the fifth-highest seat share with 10.3%. If they join forces, they would account for about one-third of the international seats in South Korea’s LCC sector—including overseas carriers. The two airlines have a particularly strong presence on routes to Japan. Jeju Air held a 15.1% share of seats in the South Korea-Japan market for the Sources: CAPA and OAG week of Jan. 20, ranking it third among all carriers. Eastar Jet accounted for ● Jeju Air operates 44 Boeing 737- government approval and is expected 5.7% of seats in that period. Together, ● 800s, which already represents to begin operations this year. the pair’s 20.8% seat share would be the largest fleet of any South Kore- Jeju Air revealed in a Dec. 18 stock only slightly behind the 22% held by ● an-based LCC. Eastar Jet also flies market filing that it intends to pur- market leader Korean Air. 737s, with 21 of the -800 variant and chase a 51.2% controlling share in While it is very important for two -900ERs, according to the Aviation Eastar Jet, and the pair signed a mem- South Korean airlines, the South Week Intelligence Network Fleet Dis- orandum of understanding to this ef- Korea-Japan market has been hit by covery database. This means the two fect. The deal was initially expected a demand drop due to political ten - carriers would have good commonality, to close by Dec. 31, but Jeju twice ex- sion between the two countries. LCCs and potentially a combined fleet of 67 tended its due diligence period and have been particularly affected, with aircraft. A narrowbody fleet of this size now plans to close the purchase by Jeju Air and Eastar cutting capacity would still trail Asian LCC giants such the end of February. The purchase in this market by 26.9% and 44.2% as AirAsia, Lion Air and IndiGo but is valued at an estimated 69.5 billion year-on-year, respectively, data from would be larger than second-tier LCCs Korean won ($58.2 million). CAPA and OAG shows. including Cebu Pacific and Scoot. There are six incumbent LCCs The two airlines have also cut ca-

66 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 67 SINGAPORE AIRSHOW

Singapore Ramps Up that the tiny country has no land: The government has well-established policies to en- Aerospace Parts Production sure that land is recycled for new uses as old industries fade. If aerospace manufacturing AEROSPACE R&D IN SINGAPORE IS ALSO GROWING in Singapore is going to grow, it will have to > compete with other rising sectors for available > ALL THREE BIG ENGINE COMPANIES HAVE real estate. FACTORIES THERE The industry has traditionally been built on two pillars: the success of Singapore Air- Bradley Perrett Beijing lines and Singapore’s Changi Airport, which has supported the civil maintenance sector; curious thing has happened in Singapore over the past and the engineering capability of Singapore decade or so: Aerospace manufacturing has moved Technologies Engineering, the country’s Ainto, not out of, the city-state’s highly developed, high- main defense contractor. cost economy. Maintenance remains the dominant aerospace Strengthening of manufacturing came after 2007, activity in the city-state, but a succession of companies has when Rolls-Royce said it would build a factory at Seletar announced and implemented plans to at least make parts in in northeastern Singapore, Sia says. The facility, which the Southeast Asian nation. opened in 2012, assembles and tests up to 250 civil turbo- Sia Kheng Yok, chief executive of the Association of fans a year. It also makes as many as 8,600 hollow, wide- Aerospace Industries (Singapore), says Singapore is well chord titanium fan blades. Like Sia, Rolls-Royce notes the positioned to sustain this trend. Along with the rise of man- manufacturing expansion that followed establishment of ufacturing since the first decade of the century, aerospace its Seletar facility, which it calls “the runway for Singa- research and development has widened in Singapore— pore’s aerospace industry.” By the company’s calculation, moving beyond its traditional focus on supporting the it accounts for 14% of Singaporean aerospace output. country’s defense forces. This may also be an area where Pratt & Whitney opened a plant for building fan blades Singapore can make further advances. and turbine disks in Singapore in 2018. A new General Elec- Challenges in Singapore include not only high labor costs tric plant in the country to make vanes for high-pressure but also land that is expensive. The problem is not so much compressors for the GE9X engine has been aiming to reach

C919 Test Fleet Complete, that the issue had arisen. Comac did not respond to a request for comment Mach 0.82 Reached sent before the annual lunar new year holiday began on Jan. 24, but the issue does not appear to be unusually serious. > SIXTH AND LAST PROTOTYPE IS IN THE AIR The transfer gearbox has been modified to improve durability, says the CFM LATEST SCHEDULE IMPLIES FIRST DELIVERY IN 2022 > spokesperson. This matter was entirely the responsibility of the engine compa- Bradley Perrett Beijing ny, says the first source, who added: “All six flight-test aircraft now have the omac has completed its C919 The highest speed reached so far new configuration. So far, there’s been flight-test fleet, with the sixth has been Mach 0.82, says that person; no problem with it.” Cand last unit now in the air. Flight this compares with the design cruise CFM said in June it was redesigning testing has exceeded the designed cruise speed of Mach 0.785. The highest alti- the bearing of the radial drive shaft of speed of the narrowbody airliner and tude so far has been 39,800 ft. (12,100 the Leap 1B, the version on the Boe- reached its intended ceiling. m), says that person; that is the maxi- ing 737 MAX. This was done after five Elsewhere in the program, Comac mum intended for operation. The C919 inflight shutdowns due to particles and propulsion partner CFM have mod- is designed to carry 158 passengers in a coming from the shaft, which, with the ified Leap 1C engines and nacelles of the standard two-class configuration. accessory gearbox and transfer gear- six prototypes to cope with previously A second source confirmed that loads boxes, is part of the engine’s accessory miscalculated loads, says an industry on the Leap 1C engines and nacelles had drivetrain. The spokesman declined to source. CFM has further changed the been unexpected. According to the first, say whether the change to the Leap 1C design of transfer gearboxes on the this resulted in undesirable shuddering. was related to this or any other product, turbofans, the engine company says. “There was vibration,” that person says. however. The Leap 1C is most similar According to the source, this modifica- “But the modifications have been made.” in design to the Leap 1A of the Airbus tion has been implemented. Asked about that issue, a spokes- A320neo family. The sixth prototype made its first person for CFM says: “There is no The C919 program is well behind flight on Dec. 27, achieving an objective issue with the joint design of the C919 schedule, not helped by the very slow to complete the flight-test fleet by the program beyond the normal iteration initial phase of flight testing that fol- end of 2019. The efficiency of flight test- between the engine manufacturer and lowed the first C919 taking to the air in ing is improving, the state company says. the airframer.” Reuters first reported May 2017. Comac said in August 2019 it

68 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SINGAPORE AIRSHOW Rolls-Royce assembles Trent 1000 engines in Singapore. Singapore Ramps Up that the tiny country has no land: The government has well-established policies to en- Aerospace Parts Production sure that land is recycled for new uses as old expensive. As offsets, Collins points to the availability of industries fade. If aerospace manufacturing extremely high skills, Singapore’s pro-business environ- AEROSPACE R&D IN SINGAPORE IS ALSO GROWING in Singapore is going to grow, it will have to ment and the company’s long-standing relationship with > compete with other rising sectors for available the government’s economic development board. Sia notes > ALL THREE BIG ENGINE COMPANIES HAVE real estate. that ease of doing business in Singapore is attributed to FACTORIES THERE The industry has traditionally been built convenient movement of materials and products across its on two pillars: the success of Singapore Air- border and its proximity to suppliers in Asia. Bradley Perrett Beijing lines and Singapore’s Changi Airport, which “Industry 4.0 is changing the face of manufacturing,” has supported the civil maintenance sector; Sia notes, referring to a phenomenon in which intensive curious thing has happened in Singapore over the past and the engineering capability of Singapore application of automation, information technology, sensors decade or so: Aerospace manufacturing has moved Technologies Engineering, the country’s and artificial intelligence is expected to greatly increase Ainto, not out of, the city-state’s highly developed, high- main defense contractor. ROLLS-ROYCE productivity. “Singapore is seen as a front-runner in de - cost economy. Maintenance remains the dominant aerospace Strengthening of manufacturing came after 2007, employment of 100 technicians and engineers this year. Its veloping such capabilities, being one of the more advanced activity in the city-state, but a succession of companies has when Rolls-Royce said it would build a factory at Seletar establishment follows smaller-scale component production economies in Asia,” says Sia. The large general Singaporean announced and implemented plans to at least make parts in in northeastern Singapore, Sia says. The facility, which for GE engines that commenced in 2010. manufacturing sector also helps. the Southeast Asian nation. opened in 2012, assembles and tests up to 250 civil turbo- However, these are hardly the first aerospace manufac- Aerospace research and development by local industry Sia Kheng Yok, chief executive of the Association of fans a year. It also makes as many as 8,600 hollow, wide- turing operations in the country: Predecessors include Sin- is extending beyond the traditional scope of support for the Aerospace Industries (Singapore), says Singapore is well chord titanium fan blades. Like Sia, Rolls-Royce notes the gapore Aerospace Manufacturing and operations that are armed forces. Rolls-Royce has a development group at Sele- positioned to sustain this trend. Along with the rise of man- manufacturing expansion that followed establishment of now part of Collins Aerospace. Collins machines complex tar that works with universities and the government’s Agency ufacturing since the first decade of the century, aerospace its Seletar facility, which it calls “the runway for Singa- engine gears at one site in Singapore and castings for var- for Science, Technology and Research. research and development has widened in Singapore— pore’s aerospace industry.” By the company’s calculation, ious aircraft systems at another. Collins said in June it would set up a research center moving beyond its traditional focus on supporting the it accounts for 14% of Singaporean aerospace output. “We have also invested in advanced manufacturing tech- in Singapore. “The focus will be on development, tooling country’s defense forces. This may also be an area where Pratt & Whitney opened a plant for building fan blades nologies to increase efficiency,” says a Collins spokesperson. and low-rate production of additive materials,” the spokes- Singapore can make further advances. and turbine disks in Singapore in 2018. A new General Elec- Machining processes and productivity have improved thanks person says. The research center, which will support the Challenges in Singapore include not only high labor costs tric plant in the country to make vanes for high-pressure to the adoption of automation and digital technologies. company’s maintenance business as well as manufacturing, but also land that is expensive. The problem is not so much compressors for the GE9X engine has been aiming to reach High productivity is needed when labor and land are is due to open by the end of March. c CHINESE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND INDUSTRY C919 Test Fleet Complete, that the issue had arisen. Comac did was aiming at achieving certification in not respond to a request for comment 2021. Since it has previously expected The fifth C919 prototype, Mach 0.82 Reached sent before the annual lunar new year to commence deliveries in the calendar which first flew on Oct. 24, holiday began on Jan. 24, but the issue year following that of the certification, is one of three that took does not appear to be unusually serious. the current schedule implies that ini- to the air in 2019. > SIXTH AND LAST PROTOTYPE IS IN THE AIR The transfer gearbox has been modi- tial customer China Eastern Airlines fied to improve durability, says the CFM will receive its first C919 in 2022. When LATEST SCHEDULE IMPLIES FIRST DELIVERY IN 2022 > spokesperson. This matter was entirely the program was launched in 2008, first the responsibility of the engine compa- delivery was due in 2016. Bradley Perrett Beijing ny, says the first source, who added: Comac’s development problems “All six flight-test aircraft now have the appear manifold rather than individu- omac has completed its C919 The highest speed reached so far new configuration. So far, there’s been ally large and schedule-wrecking. This flight-test fleet, with the sixth has been Mach 0.82, says that person; no problem with it.” contrasts to the succession of major Cand last unit now in the air. Flight this compares with the design cruise CFM said in June it was redesigning difficulties that have each added a year testing has exceeded the designed cruise speed of Mach 0.785. The highest alti- the bearing of the radial drive shaft of or more to development of the SpaceJet, speed of the narrowbody airliner and tude so far has been 39,800 ft. (12,100 the Leap 1B, the version on the Boe- which Mitsubishi Aircraft began a few reached its intended ceiling. m), says that person; that is the maxi- ing 737 MAX. This was done after five weeks before the C919 was launched. Elsewhere in the program, Comac mum intended for operation. The C919 inflight shutdowns due to particles For example, nothing in the C919 pro- and propulsion partner CFM have mod- is designed to carry 158 passengers in a coming from the shaft, which, with the gram is known to compare with the dis- pilots and two engineers were aboard. progressively shortening, Comac says. ified Leap 1C engines and nacelles of the standard two-class configuration. accessory gearbox and transfer gear- covery in 2016 that the SpaceJet, then This aircraft will be used mainly for The flight-test aircraft are numbered six prototypes to cope with previously A second source confirmed that loads boxes, is part of the engine’s accessory called MRJ, needed a significant elec- verifying characteristics of the cabin, 101-106. Of the static test airframes, the miscalculated loads, says an industry on the Leap 1C engines and nacelles had drivetrain. The spokesman declined to trical and avionics redesign that would lighting and exterior noise, Comac says. one used for verifying strength is 01, source. CFM has further changed the been unexpected. According to the first, say whether the change to the Leap 1C push first delivery out by two years The static strength-test airframe, and the one for demonstrating fatigue design of transfer gearboxes on the this resulted in undesirable shuddering. was related to this or any other product, to mid-2020—a target that has now meanwhile, has undergone all tests nec- life is 02. Testing on 01 was completed turbofans, the engine company says. “There was vibration,” that person says. however. The Leap 1C is most similar slipped further into 2021 at the earliest, essary for the program’s certification ef- on Nov. 30, Comac says. According to the source, this modifica- “But the modifications have been made.” in design to the Leap 1A of the Airbus since a prototype incorporating design fort. Additionally, the static fatigue-test Comac said in September that man- tion has been implemented. Asked about that issue, a spokes- A320neo family. changes is late in starting flight tests. airframe has been built. The type’s nor- ufacturing of parts for delivery aircraft The sixth prototype made its first person for CFM says: “There is no The C919 program is well behind The sixth C919 prototype, No. 106, mal flight control law has been verified. had begun. The company now says it is flight on Dec. 27, achieving an objective issue with the joint design of the C919 schedule, not helped by the very slow flew from Shanghai Pudong Interna- Comac says it, not a supplier, developed issuing contracts for making systems to complete the flight-test fleet by the program beyond the normal iteration initial phase of flight testing that fol- tional Airport, to which it returned this system. Wing deicing has been test- and structures. c end of 2019. The efficiency of flight test- between the engine manufacturer and lowed the first C919 taking to the air in after 2 hr. 5 min. The objectives of the ed in a wind tunnel. ing is improving, the state company says. the airframer.” Reuters first reported May 2017. Comac said in August 2019 it test were met, Comac says. Three test Final assembly time for C919s is —With Guy Norris in Los Angeles

68 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 69 COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Gatwick Drone Scare Drives uses a 3D X-band radar to detect and track targets to 4.5 km (2.8 mi.). A Countermeasures Deployments com int (communications intelligence) system classifies the target by its > HEATHROW REVEALS COUNTERDRONE SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT transmissions, and an electro-optical camera slaved to the radar provides > MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS CONSIDER C-UAS SYSTEMS target verification. Jammers disrupt radio frequency (RF) and GPS signals. Bill Carey Washington “Airport operators globally are actively seeking countermeasures to he recent announcement that as a case study for the Blue Ribbon assist in handling the threat of drones London Heathrow Airport Task Force on UAS Mitigation at Air- around airport terminals and espe- T(LHR) has installed counter- ports (BRTF) that met last year and cially on the runways. The demand drone technology did not come as a issued recommendations for U.S. and for drone management solutions has surprise but addressed an ongoing re- Canadian airports in October 2019. grown rapidly following the [Gatwick] action to the signature drone disrup- The FAA has cited the disruptions in incident,” Elta says. tion at rival Gatwick Airport (LGW) regulatory documents, congressional As of this January, the drone sight- more than a year ago. testimony and correspondence with ings at LGW in December 2018 were Both of the UK airports acknowl- U.S. public-use airports. unsolved, and airport operator Gatwick edged plans to invest in counter - The Gatwick Airport Ltd. continued offering a unmanned aircraft systems event represented a £50,000 ($65,000) reward for informa- (C-UAS) technology peak in a yearslong tion through the Crimestoppers charity. after a series of drone trend line of drone Still, the trouble that event caused has

The Anti-UAV Defense System installed at London Gatwick Airport and evaluated in the U.S. combines radar and electro-optical tracking with radio frequency “inhibition” technology.

BLIGHTER SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS sightings forced LGW to close twice incursions at airports. There were made it a benchmark for airports and from Dec. 19-21, 2018. The holiday service disruptions blamed on drones authorities considering using C-UAS season disruptions caused 1,000 flight at other major world airports in 2019, systems that can detect, track and cancellations, affected 150,000 passen- including at Newark Liberty Interna- possibly intercept rogue drones. gers, and cost airlines and the airport tional Airport, New Jersey, in January, Airports and suppliers are guarded $64 million and $20 million, respec- Dublin Airport and Dubai Internation- when discussing C-UAS system de- tively, according to media accounts. al Airport in February, and Frankfurt ployments. The British Army initial- Weeks later—on Jan. 8, 2019—LHR Airport in March and May. ly deployed an unidentified military briefly suspended departures to inves- Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta system at LGW, and police were seen tigate a drone sighting. As the busiest Systems subsidiary said Jan. 27 that using the commercial DJI AeroScope UK airport, LHR moved 80 million it has tested its Drone Guard C-UAS system, which detects the RF link be- passengers in 2018; LGW was second- system at several large airports in tween a DJI drone and its controller. busiest, with 46 million passengers. Europe, Latin America and Southeast Gatwick Chief Operating Offi- The drone scare at Gatwick, located Asia but declined to identify them. cer Chris Woodroofe acknowledged 30 mi. south of central London, served A multisensor system, Drone Guard spending £5 million on counterdrone

70 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Gatwick Drone Scare Drives uses a 3D X-band radar to detect and technology in a BBC “Panorama” epi- Aeroports de Paris, which manages track targets to 4.5 km (2.8 mi.). A sode that aired last April. During the Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Countermeasures Deployments com int (communications intelligence) program, an executive with Chess Le Bourget airports, uses the Thales system classifies the target by its Dynamics, of Horsham, England, de- Aveillant Gamekeeper radar. > HEATHROW REVEALS COUNTERDRONE SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT transmissions, and an electro-optical scribed the Anti-UAV Defense System camera slaved to the radar provides (AUDS) his company installed at LGW Thales Defense confirmed to Avia- > MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS CONSIDER C-UAS SYSTEMS target verification. Jammers disrupt within days of the drone sightings. tion Week that the Gamekeeper radar radio frequency (RF) and GPS signals. Developed by Chess Dynamics, En- is deployed at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Bill Carey Washington “Airport operators globally are terprise Control Systems and Blighter Airport (CDG). But the parent com- actively seeking countermeasures to Surveillance Systems, AUDS company added that “we only provide the he recent announcement that as a case study for the Blue Ribbon assist in handling the threat of drones bines radar and electro-optical track- Gamekeeper to Aeroports de Paris,” London Heathrow Airport Task Force on UAS Mitigation at Air- around airport terminals and espe- ing with RF “inhibition” technology which manages CDG, Paris-Orly and T(LHR) has installed counter- ports (BRTF) that met last year and cially on the runways. The demand that blocks the control link between a Le Bourget airports. drone technology did not come as a issued recommendations for U.S. and for drone management solutions has drone and its operator. Used for mili- Frequentis Comsoft leads a group surprise but addressed an ongoing re- Canadian airports in October 2019. grown rapidly following the [Gatwick] tary purposes “in the Middle East and that is developing a deployable C-UAS THALES action to the signature drone disrup- The FAA has cited the disruptions in incident,” Elta says. elsewhere,” the system “formed part system at Hamburg Airport under tion at rival Gatwick Airport (LGW) regulatory documents, congressional As of this January, the drone sight- of the solution” deployed at LGW, says the “Falke” research project award- more than a year ago. testimony and correspondence with ings at LGW in December 2018 were Chess Dynamics. ed by Germany’s Federal Ministry designates the Transportation Secu- Both of the UK airports acknowl- U.S. public-use airports. unsolved, and airport operator Gatwick As part of its Pathfinder research of Transport in December. Partners rity Administration (TSA) as the lead edged plans to invest in counter - The Gatwick Airport Ltd. continued offering a program in the U.S., the FAA chose include air navigation service provid- federal agency in such instances. At unmanned aircraft systems event represented a £50,000 ($65,000) reward for informa- the AUDS and C-UAS systems devel- er (ANSP) DFS, Hensoldt, Lufthan- the local level, TSA federal security (C-UAS) technology peak in a yearslong tion through the Crimestoppers charity. oped by Gryphon Sensors and Senso- sa, the German Federal Police and directors have completed tactical after a series of drone trend line of drone Still, the trouble that event caused has fusion to evaluate at U.S. airports in Helmut-Schmidt University. plans for the initial response, accord- May 2016. On Jan. 8, C-UAS system developer ing to the American Association of Pressed on why LGW had not in- WhiteFox, of San Luis Obispo, Califor- Airport Executives. The Anti-UAV Defense System installed at stalled a counterdrone system soon- nia, announced its selection with part- It is expected the TSA will establish London Gatwick Airport and evaluated in the U.S. er, Woodroofe said on “Panorama”: ners BlueForce UAV and EXO Tactik a C-UAS system testbed at Miami In- combines radar and electro-optical tracking with “There was no government-approved to conduct a yearlong drone security ternational Airport this year to evalu- radio frequency “inhibition” technology. equipment that we could go and buy. trial at Montreal-Trudeau Interna- ate technologies to detect, identify and The equipment that I have today on tional Airport. The magnitude of the track drones near airports. The TSA site is painted sand yellow because it’s trial, scheduled to run to November, is did not immediately respond to an in- come straight from the military envi- “unprecedented,” WhiteFox said. quiry seeking confirmation of the plan. ronment. This is the first time it’s been Following release of the BRTF re- The FAA Reauthorization Act of used commercially.” port last October, the authority over- 2018 requires the FAA to establish a C-UAS systems at LGW “have seeing Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier C-UAS aviation rulemaking committee been expanded and consolidated into International Airport (YOW) said it (ARC) and to test C-UAS systems at a permanent solution” since the drone had partnered with ANSP Nav Cana- five airports this year. “A timeline has scare, Chess Dynamics reports. da and contractor Qinetiq Canada to not been established yet” to activate On Jan. 14, Operational Solutions test a C-UAS system there. the ARC, the agency says in response (OSL) of Reading, England, announced Qinetiq describes the Obsidian de- to an inquiry. It was still in the planning that it had been chosen as the architect tection, identification and tracking ra- process for choosing pilot-site airports. and integrator of a custom C-UAS sys- dar mentioned in the announcement as Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), tem at LHR. The same day, Aveillant, a a staring antenna array that provides who has been outspoken on feder - Thales subsidiary based in Cambridge, 180-deg. azimuth and 90-deg. elevation al law and policy related to drones, England, revealed that it is one of the coverage per radar; back-to-back units has urged the FAA to select Boston’s manufacturers supplying technology provide full 360-deg. coverage. Logan International Airport as one of for the system. Neither company de- The goal of the testing at YOW was the five sites. BLIGHTER SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS scribed the system in detail. to determine the feasibility of the Well before the Gatwick drone sightings forced LGW to close twice incursions at airports. There were made it a benchmark for airports and On request, OSL provided a photo C-UAS system “to function compati- scare, the FAA entered into a coop- from Dec. 19-21, 2018. The holiday service disruptions blamed on drones authorities considering using C-UAS of “artificial intelligence-enabled” elec- bly in a civilian airport environment,” erative research and development season disruptions caused 1,000 flight at other major world airports in 2019, systems that can detect, track and tro-optical and thermal cameras being the authority said. agreement with defense contractor cancellations, affected 150,000 passen- including at Newark Liberty Interna- possibly intercept rogue drones. tested at its C-UAS test and evaluation Last October, the White House CACI International in October 2015 gers, and cost airlines and the airport tional Airport, New Jersey, in January, Airports and suppliers are guarded facility, but said they were not neces- National Security Council approved to test the latter’s SkyTracker sys- $64 million and $20 million, respec- Dublin Airport and Dubai Internation- when discussing C-UAS system de- sarily “representative or indicative” of a concept of operations, or strategy, tem, which it evaluated over five days tively, according to media accounts. al Airport in February, and Frankfurt ployments. The British Army initial- the systems installed at LHR. that would elicit a federal response in January-February 2016 at Atlan- Weeks later—on Jan. 8, 2019—LHR Airport in March and May. ly deployed an unidentified military Aveillant specializes in holographic to stopping a Gatwick-like drone tic City International Airport, New briefly suspended departures to inves- Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta system at LGW, and police were seen radar, which locates targets in three disruption at one of the U.S. Core 30 Jersey—the first drone detection re- tigate a drone sighting. As the busiest Systems subsidiary said Jan. 27 that using the commercial DJI AeroScope dimensions by transmitting a very- airports—those airports that serve search at a U.S. commercial airport. UK airport, LHR moved 80 million it has tested its Drone Guard C-UAS system, which detects the RF link be- wide-angle pulse, then it forms multi- major metropolitan areas with the The FAA and other federal agencies passengers in 2018; LGW was second- system at several large airports in tween a DJI drone and its controller. ple simultaneous receive beams. The highest volume of air traffic. also have tested drone-detection sys- busiest, with 46 million passengers. Europe, Latin America and Southeast Gatwick Chief Operating Offi- company’s Gamekeeper 16U radar is The Unified National-Level Re - tems at Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, and The drone scare at Gatwick, located Asia but declined to identify them. cer Chris Woodroofe acknowledged designed specifically to detect small sponse to Persistent UAS Disruption New York JFK international airports 30 mi. south of central London, served A multisensor system, Drone Guard spending £5 million on counterdrone drones to a range of 5 km. of Operations at Core 30 Airports as well as at Eglin AFB in Florida. c

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72 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 73 VIEWPOINT

Why You Should Not Be Ashamed To Fly By George Novak

espite a recent record-breaking holiday travel transcontinental high-speed rail network in the U.S., the season in the U.S., the concept of “flight-shaming” massive carbon output required for such construction and Dis gaining ground in Europe. Thanks to the envi- the topographical issues and population displacement re- ronmental advocacy of activists such as Greta Thunberg, quired to construct direct rail routes. the public is being told to avoid airplanes and instead use Simply put, mass public transportation is not a viable, mass ground transport. They are right that we need to effective alternative to air travel in much of the U.S., par- do our share to reduce carbon emissions. It is just that ticularly because the existing airport network is already choosing a train or bus ride in lieu of a flight is not always in place, and the U.S. government has been working with the most environmentally friendly option. all stakeholders in the aviation community to make air

“SOMETIMES A FLIGHT CAN BE THE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAY TO TRAVEL.”

AMTRAK (LEFT) AND JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET Demonizing airlines, which provide safe and cost-effi- travel safer, more efficient and cleaner. cient transport, makes little sense. From aircraft built Instead of being rewarded for providing safe, affordable mainly of lighter composites and ever more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly air transportation, the avia- engines to the use of sustainable aviation biofuels, the aviation industry is under attack. Regulators are examining a tion industry is constantly seeking ways to improve perfor- mandate to remove seats to provide extra room for pas- mance. And airlines are working with agencies, such as the sengers. Such a rule threatens unintended consequences FAA, to design more direct and fuel-efficient flightpaths. for the environment. If fewer passengers fly per aircraft, This is simply good business, since reduced fuel consump- more flights will be required, leading to the production of tion lowers costs as well as CO2 emissions. more CO2 emissions. That kind of regulation also could Still, it is worth asking the question: Are there viable lead to the elimination of marginally profitable routes that alternatives to air travel to domestic points in the U.S.? I serve less populated areas and force would-be passengers recently took a business trip from Washington to St. Louis to drive long distances. by rail to put the tenets of “flight-shaming” to the test. The We should be working together to ensure the U.S. avi- results were eye-opening. ation industry can meet the ambitious goals for carbon If we accept a widely cited figure that railroads output reduction to which it has already committed. In an Interna- 30% less carbon per passenger-mile, we must examine the tional Air Transport Association statement a decade ago, routes they take to deliver passengers to their destinations the aviation industry set: “three sequential goals for air in the U.S. A train journey frequently requires in excess transport: (1) a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel ef- of 30% more miles than a flight, quickly eroding the car- ficiency from 2009 to 2020, (2) carbon-neutral growth from bon-emissions-per-passenger-mile argument. 2020 and (3) a 50% absolute reduction in carbon emissions In this case, I took an overnight train through Chicago by 2050.” We don’t take that commitment lightly. to get to St. Louis—a one-way trip of 1,094 mi. (1,760 km). In the end, my isolated experiment taught me a number The trip emitted 150 kg (330 lb.) of CO2 and took 28 hr., of lessons. Passenger rail has a place for highly traveled including a 5-hr. layover in Chicago. A point-to-point return and shorter routes such as in the busy Northeast Corridor flight required only 720 mi., at a cost of 114 kg of CO2 and connecting Washington and New York. However, air travel took about 3 hr., including boarding and taxiing. So not only remains the safest, most fuel-efficient and most environ- did the train ride take nine times longer and cost more, it mentally friendly option for much of the U.S. population. produced 32% more in carbon emissions. Our nation cannot afford to undermine the viability of its This is not a criticism of Amtrak. But if we are taking safest and most efficient transportation network. trains over airplanes to save the environment, we are fail- I love the Earth, and I’m certainly not ashamed to fly. ing our planet miserably. Nor should anyone be. c Of course, environmentalists will argue that a high-speed rail network is friendlier to the environment. This ignores George Novak is the president of the National Air Carrier the hundreds of billions of dollars it would take to build a Association.

74 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST VIEWPOINT

Why You Should Not Be Ashamed To Fly By George Novak espite a recent record-breaking holiday travel transcontinental high-speed rail network in the U.S., the season in the U.S., the concept of “flight-shaming” massive carbon output required for such construction and Dis gaining ground in Europe. Thanks to the envi- the topographical issues and population displacement re- ronmental advocacy of activists such as Greta Thunberg, quired to construct direct rail routes. the public is being told to avoid airplanes and instead use Simply put, mass public transportation is not a viable, mass ground transport. They are right that we need to effective alternative to air travel in much of the U.S., par- do our share to reduce carbon emissions. It is just that ticularly because the existing airport network is already choosing a train or bus ride in lieu of a flight is not always in place, and the U.S. government has been working with the most environmentally friendly option. all stakeholders in the aviation community to make air

“SOMETIMES A FLIGHT CAN BE

THE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY Dr. Mohammad Nasser Al Ahbabi The Honorable Barbara M. Barrett James Bridenstine Leanne Caret Director General Secretary Administrator Executive Vice President United Arab Emirates Space Agency United States Air Force NASA The Boeing Company FRIENDLY WAY TO TRAVEL.” (UAESA) President and Chief Executive Ofﬁ cer, Defense, Space and Security

This is simply good business, since reduced fuel consump- more flights will be required, leading to the production of Prof. Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, USAF Dr. William Roper The Honorable Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. tion lowers costs as well as CO2 emissions. more CO2 emissions. That kind of regulation also could Chair of the Executive Board, Chief of Space Operations Assistant Secretary Secretary of Commerce Still, it is worth asking the question: Are there viable lead to the elimination of marginally profitable routes that German Aerospace Center (DLR) United States Space Force Air Force Acquisition, Department of Commerce President, International Commander, United States Space Command Technology and Logistics alternatives to air travel to domestic points in the U.S.? I serve less populated areas and force would-be passengers Astronautical Federation (IAF) recently took a business trip from Washington to St. Louis to drive long distances. by rail to put the tenets of “flight-shaming” to the test. The We should be working together to ensure the U.S. avi- results were eye-opening. ation industry can meet the ambitious goals for carbon If we accept a widely cited figure that railroads output reduction to which it has already committed. In an Interna- 30% less carbon per passenger-mile, we must examine the tional Air Transport Association statement a decade ago, routes they take to deliver passengers to their destinations the aviation industry set: “three sequential goals for air in the U.S. A train journey frequently requires in excess transport: (1) a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel ef- of 30% more miles than a flight, quickly eroding the car- ficiency from 2009 to 2020, (2) carbon-neutral growth from bon-emissions-per-passenger-mile argument. 2020 and (3) a 50% absolute reduction in carbon emissions In this case, I took an overnight train through Chicago by 2050.” We don’t take that commitment lightly. to get to St. Louis—a one-way trip of 1,094 mi. (1,760 km). In the end, my isolated experiment taught me a number The trip emitted 150 kg (330 lb.) of CO2 and took 28 hr., of lessons. Passenger rail has a place for highly traveled including a 5-hr. layover in Chicago. A point-to-point return and shorter routes such as in the busy Northeast Corridor flight required only 720 mi., at a cost of 114 kg of CO2 and connecting Washington and New York. However, air travel took about 3 hr., including boarding and taxiing. So not only remains the safest, most fuel-efficient and most environ- did the train ride take nine times longer and cost more, it mentally friendly option for much of the U.S. population. produced 32% more in carbon emissions. Our nation cannot afford to undermine the viability of its This is not a criticism of Amtrak. But if we are taking safest and most efficient transportation network. trains over airplanes to save the environment, we are fail- I love the Earth, and I’m certainly not ashamed to fly. c ing our planet miserably. Nor should anyone be. Share: Of course, environmentalists will argue that a high-speed SpaceSymposium.org +1.800.691.4000 rail network is friendlier to the environment. This ignores George Novak is the president of the National Air Carrier the hundreds of billions of dollars it would take to build a Association. +1.800.691.4000 74 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/FEBRUARY 10-23, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST Technology that lets pilots focus on the fight.

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