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AE December 2020 ROSPACE

SMART CABINS UK INTEGRATED REVIEW: ALREADY DEAD? CHANGING BUSINESS ’S IMAGE

www.aerosociety.com December 2020

MARS ATTRACTS V olume 47 Number 12 RED PLANET GETS SET FOR NEW ROBOT VISITORS

Royal A eronautical Society 11–15 & 19–21 JANUARY 2021 | ONLINE AN E X P A N D E D EXPERIENCE

The world’s largest event for research and development just got bigger!

The virtual 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum has expanded into eight days of programming over a two-week time frame. The new format offers a convenient, condensed daily schedule, allowing you to balance your work load and home while attending a virtual event. Each day will be anchored by a high-level keynote or lecture, with 2,500+ technical presentations, panels, and special sessions scheduled throughout the forum.

The forum will explore the functional role and importance of diversity in advancing the aerospace industry. Hear from high-profile industry leaders as they provide perspectives on how diversification of teams, industry sectors, technologies, and design cycles can all be leveraged toward innovation.

REGISTER NOW aiaa.org/2021SciTech Volume 47 Number 12 December 2020

EDITORIAL Contents Lost ? Regulars 4 Radome 12 Transmission After a week of nail-biting excitement, last month saw a new president The latest aviation and Your letters, emails, tweets aeronautical intelligence, and social media feedback. elected in the US, Joe Biden. Although he is yet to be formally elected by analysis and comment. the Electoral College and inaugurated in January, it is extremely unlikely that 58 The Last Word this will be overturned. While some worry that a spiteful President Trump 11 Pushing the Envelope Keith Hayward looks forward could institute a scorched- policy on his way out, the question on a few Rob Coppinger reviews to the return into commercial progress in the development service of the 737 minds is – what will President-elect Biden mean for aerospace, defence of synthetic aviation fuels MAX. and space? It is obviously early days but there are glimpses of how this may made from carbon taken change. International institutions will be strengthened, as Biden says the from the air. US will rejoin the Paris Agreement. NATO leaders, too, will Features

privately be breathing sighs of relief that that the US will not pull out of a NASA 28 Pushing tin in a military alliance on the basis of a late-night tweet. However, other parts of pandemic How Covid-19 has impacted aerospace and defence may have more mixed results. NASA Adminstrator, NATS’ air traffic management Jim Bridenstine, has already said he will not stay on and the incoming 14 operations in the UK.

administration will want to distance itself from the ambitious Pence/Trump Cranfield University ‘boots on the Moon by 2024’ plan in favour of climate . That may be a shame – the US Moon mission was building up international steam Invaders to ! and the biggest challenge was not technical but political, in the shifting of Three Mars probes from the US, and the UAE are goalposts and priorities by incoming presidents. Will Artemis go the way of set to arrive at the Red Planet 32 Bush’s Constellation? Maybe – but perhaps it will only be delayed, rather than early next year. cancelled. Artemis has a strong narrative and diversity angle that may appeal to the the White House (landing the first woman on the Moon). It also has 18 Russian stealth rising – Conscious cabins the PAK DA Are future proposals for engaged private enterprise and a coalition of international partners in getting Focus on ’s next- intelligent aircraft cabin on board – as the next big space co-operation project after ISS. Despite generation long range systems a good or bad thing Artemis’ Trump origins, will Biden want to go down as the president who . for airline passengers? denied the first female astronaut her chance to set foot on the Moon? BAE Systems 36 Covid-19: an to reset and Tim Robinson FRAeS, Editor-in-Chief 22 restructure for airlines? [email protected] Is state aid the best way to help airlines to recover from Correspondence on all aerospace matters is welcome at: [email protected] the effects of Covid-19? Stratospheric Platforms Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office 2020 AEROSPACE subscription Tim Robinson, FRAeS Royal Aeronautical Society rates: Non-members, £180 +44 (0)20 7670 4353 No.4 Hamilton Place Please send your order to: Destined to fail? The UK’s [email protected] W1J 7BQ, UK Wayne J Davis, RAeS, No.4 Hamilton Integrated Review +44 (0)20 7670 4300 Deputy Editor Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK. 38 [email protected] +44 (0)20 7670 4354 A critical analysis of the UK Bill Read, FRAeS Government’s forthcoming +44 (0)20 7670 4351 www.aerosociety.com [email protected] [email protected] AEROSPACE is published by the Royal Any member not requiring a print Integrated Review of Defence, Aeronautical Society (RAeS). version of this magazine should Security and Foreign Policy. Production Manager Get ready for 5G from the contact: [email protected] Wayne J Davis Chief Executive stratosphere +44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS USA: Periodical postage paid at 26 Making the case for A new UK company unveils [email protected] Advertising Champlain New York and additional business aviation plans for a 5G connectivity +44 (0)20 7670 4346 offices. Publications Executive Business aviation addresses high-altitude pseudo- [email protected] Chris Male, MRAeS Postmaster: Send address changes network powered by to IMS of New York, PO Box 1518, the issues of the environment, +44 (0)20 7670 4352 Unless specifically attributed, no Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA. diversity and its media image. . [email protected] material in AEROSPACE shall be taken Production Executive to represent the opinion of the RAeS. ISSN 2052-451X Annabel Hallam Reproduction of material used in this Afterburner +44 (0)20 7670 4361 publication is not permitted without the 44 Message from our President [email protected] written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. 45 Message from our Chief Executive Book Review Editors Printed by Buxton Press Limited, Tony Pilmer and Katrina Sudell Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire 46 Book Reviews [email protected] SK17 6AE, UK Distributed by Royal Mail 50 New Member Spotlight 52 Journal of Aeronautical History Additional content is available to view online at: aerosociety.com/aerospaceinsight 54 Diary Including: Climate change still No 1 challenge for aviation, Addressing the UK cyber-skills gap, In-flight refuelling for civil aircraft, In the November issue of AEROSPACE, New Member Spotlight, 56 Elections Online Hydrogen-powered HAPS UAV, Electrifying general aviation, Raiders of the lost aero-engine archives. 57 Obituary

Front cover: A ‘selfie’ taken by the Mars Rover on 11 October 2019 inside the Gale Crater on Mars (NASA)

@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com DECEMBER 2020 13 Blueprint

INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT Rear wing A rear spoiler on the AirCar provides downforce in car mode but switches to become pitch control as an elevator in aircraft mode.

Fly ‘n’ drive Sitting in the left hand seat, the pilot uses a F1-style steering wheel to control the vehicle in ground and air modes. An emergency ballastic parachute deployment system is fitted.

Autobot - transform! The AirCar can convert from compact car to aircraft mode in under three minutes, with the wings extending from a rear stowed position where they are also folded in half. The twin tail booms also extend rearwards to provide clearance for the centrally-mounted pusher propeller. Klein Vision

4 AEROSPACE Specifications Passengers 2 Weight 1,100kg Range 1,000km Top Speed 200km/h Take-off run 300m

Top gears The AirCar is powered by a 140Hp BMW 1.6i engine giving a fuel consumption of 18l/h in flight mode. A model with a more powerful 300hp engine is already being developed.

Growth potential While the Air Car V5 seats two people, the company says that the concept has the potential to be developed into four-seat versions, twin-engine variants or even an amphibous version.

GENERAL AVIATION revs up Slovakian ‘’ developer Klein Vision has announced its AirCar (V5) has made two successful flights on the week of 26 October. The flights, at Piestany airport, Slovakia, saw the vehicle fly at 1,500ft during the test flights. Developed by Stefan Klein, who was previously at another ‘flying car’ company Aeromobil, the AirCar V5 is a ‘roadable aircraft’ that is able to convert from car to aircraft configuration in less than three minutes. Klein Vision says that the two-seat AirCar is expected to be commercially available in six months.

DECEMBER 2020 5 Radome COVID-19

AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT Aerospace stocks soar on Eurocontrol predicts no full Covid-19 vaccine news recovery until 2024

Airline stock prices, stock rose 26% while Air traffic forecasts Eurocontrol including IAG, easyJet Jet2 shares climbed by European and Ryanair have all 34.1%. The stock market ATM organisation risen sharply on the gains were repeated Eurocontrol has news on 9 November on the other side of the predicted that that a Covid-19 Atlantic, with United commercial air transport vaccine developed by Airlines shares rising movements in pharmaceutical company 19%, Delta Air Lines are not likely to return Pfizer has proved 90% 17%, Hawaiian Airlines to pre-Covid levels until effective in Phase 3 50% and American 2024 at the earliest. It tests. Shares in easyJet Airlines 17%. Meanwhile, estimates that, in 2021, climbed 30%, while IAG Rolls-Royce shares were air traffic will still be rose 38% and Ryanair up 40%, while Boeing between 27-50% lower climbed 16%. Wizz Air shares climbed 13.7%. that 2019.

AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT Don’t train to be an airline pilot, Worst ever quarter for warns BALPA airliner sales CAE According to the UK 2019 and represents a aerospace and defence 91.4% drop in orders industry group ADS, since the previous year. the commercial aircraft Deliveries also slumped industry experienced to the worst quarter on its worst ever quarter record, with only 173 for sales, with only 13 commercial UK airline pilots union BALPA has issued an unprecedented warning to prospective pilots orders (ten single-aisle delivered (135 single- not to begin flight training now due to the coronavirus’ impact on the aviation industry and and three widebodies) aisles, 38 widebodies) air travel. The union says that there are now 10,000 unemployed commercial pilots across placed in July and in that period. However, Europe, with 1,500 just in the UK itself. August and none September saw signs  However, a new forecast of pilot demand from training and simulation specialists CAE has in September. This of hope with deliveries estimated that, despite the pandemic, the aviation industry will still need 27,000 new pilots in compares to 152 sales up to pre-pandenic 2021 and 264,000 over the next ten years, due to ‘age-based retirements and attrition’. for the same period in February 2020 levels.

NEWS IN BRIEF

aircraft falling by 56% to passenger coronavirus Eurofighters which and Shannon Walker, as In its latest third quarter compared to 2019. testing by European rivals will be sold on to the well as Japanese JAXA results, Boeing announced that were allowing them international market. astronaut Soichi Noguchi, that it is to shed over France’s Paris Charles to catch up and overtake who had previously flown 30,000 jobs by the end de Gaulle Airport has LHR. On 15 November, NASA on both the Space Shuttle of 2021, or almost double overtaken London flew the first operational and the . earlier plans, due to the Heathrow as Europe’s Germany has placed an flight of its Commercical effect of the coronavirus. busiest airport for the first order for 38 new Typhoon Crew Program with Spartan College It now aims to go from time due to the effect of fighters for the Luftwaffe a SpaceX of Aeronautics and 161,133 jobs at the start the Covid-19 pandemic on as part of its Project launching a Crew Technology in Tulsa, of 2020 to 130,000 air travel. Some 19 million Quadriga procurement Dragon to the ISS with Oklahoma has bought 32 employees by the end of passengers came through plan. The new ‘Tranche four astronauts aboard. Piper aircraft to expand next year. Meanwhile, the Heathrow airport in the 4’ fighters, fitted with The Resilience capsule its training fleet. Spartan company also recorded first nine months of 2020, E-Scan 1 active lifted off from Kennedy already operates around a new loss of $466m for compared to 19.3 million electronically scanned Space Center with 45 Piper Archers, Piper the 3Q of 2020 and sales passengers who used array (AESA) , will NASA astronauts Michael Seminoles, Cessna 152s revenues for commercial CDG. Heathrow pointed replace 38 Tranche 1 Hopkins, Victor Glover and Cessna 172s.

6 AEROSPACE GENERAL AVIATION AEROSPACE Zero-carbon flight takes Embraer hints at concept power from Embraer

A power charging charging unit – a canopy start-up has conducted which fits over in a single the first zero-carbon flight parking space and can of a production electric charge two electric cars aircraft using 100% and one electric aircraft in renewable energy. The around 1.5hrs. The proof flight, on 29 October of concept trial flight from saw an electric Pipistrel San Diego-based Beam light aircraft take off from is designed to accelerate Reedley Municipal Airport, roll-out of sustainable Fresno County, California, zero-emission aviation at Executives from Brazil’s Embraer have fuelled speculation that the company’s next airliner using off-grid power regional and small airports project will be a regional turboprop. An image shared on Embraer’s social media showed derived from a Beam using off-grid solar power a T-tailed, low-wing turboprop with what appears to be a fuselage from Embraer’s E-Jet Global ARC solar-power sources. family. No other details were available.

SPACEFLIGHT DEFENCE NASA snatches dust off an US fast-tracks Taiwan, UAE NASA arms sales On 10 November the nation, with it justified by the US State Department UAE’s ‘need for advanced announced that it had defence capabilities to deter approved a potential Foreign and defend itself against Military Sale (FMS) sale of heightened threats from ’. 50 Lockheed Martin F-35A  Meanwhile, the US State stealth fighters and 18 Department also approved General Atomics MQ-9B the potential sale of four SkyGuardian UAVs to the General Atomic MQ-9B United Arab Emirates. SkyGuardian armed UAVs The deal, worth $23bn in for Taiwan. The deal, worth On 20 October, NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex succeeded in its attempt to grab a sample total, also includes some $600m, includes two fixed of material from the asteroid Bennu to return it to Earth. The collected a sample of $10bn of air-to-air and and two mobile ground rock from the asteroid, currently over 200 million miles away from Earth, using a ‘touch and go’ air-to-ground weapons. control stations, as well as method, where an extendable robotic arm made brief contact with the surface of the asteroid to The deal would be the first Raytheon SeaVue maritime capture rocks and dust using gas to ‘blow’ it into a basket for collection. sale of the F-35 to an Arab search radars.

teaming (MUM-T) flight test of its Starship SN8 at a new facility located Russia is proposing to Pioneering long-haul low- test using a UK Army Air prototype engines in at Embry-Riddle reduce its spending cost carrier Norwegian Air Corps Wildcat helicopter Boca Chica, Texas. This Aeronautical University’s on the joint Russian- has had its appeal for extra and a UAV from Callen- latest test is ahead of a Research Park in Florida. Chinese project to financial support to survive Lenz Associates. The trial, 47,000ft test ‘hop’ flight develop the CR929 the coronavirus rejected by supported by the UK’s and vertical landing. Rolls-Royce and Italian widebody commercial the Norwegian Government. DSTL, took place on the light aircraft manufacturer aircraft because of a fall The carrier said that the British Army’s training Brazilian seaplane Tecnam have announced in demand for new aircraft news was a ‘punch in the ground on Salisbury manufacturer Seamax that they are to jointly due to Covid-19. Russia’s gut’ after warning that it Plain with the helicopter Aircraft is to begin develop a nine-passenger spending on the project, would run out of cash in crew controlling both assembling its aircraft electric-powered aircraft which is being developed early 2021. the sensor payload and in the US. An upgraded to be called P-Volt. by Russia’s UAC and flightpath of the semi- glass cockpit version The two companies are COMAC in China, is to Leonardo Helicopters has autonomous drone. of its Seamax M-22 already working on H3PS, be cut by Rb12.5bn down announced that on 17 seaplane, which has a hybrid-electric version to Rb8.5bn over the next September it conducted SpaceX has conducted been in production since of Tecnam’s four-seat three years. a manned-unmanned a second static-fire 2000, is to be assembled P2010 aircraft.

DECEMBER 2020 7 Radome

DEFENCE UK in New private Chinese launcher limbo makes on first attempt Chinese State Media An ambitious plan to the economic uncertainty conduct the far- caused by the Covid-19 reaching review of UK pandemic. This has also defence, foreign policy and caused repercussions for security is now in question the planned Integrated as the Comprehensive Review which was focused Spending Review, which on a three-year horizon to underpins the review, allow for equipment plans has been scrapped due and stable funding. It is to the pandemic. The not yet know whether the Treasury has now axed the IR will now still go ahead On 7 November, a new Chinese launcher company, Galactic Energy, succeeded in planned three-year CSR, in its original form. (See putting a satellite into orbit on its very first rocket launch. The company launched a data- in favour of a one-year ‘Destined to fail? The UK’s relay satellite aboard its 1 four-stage sold-fuel rocket, which was launched from financial review, due to Integrated Review’ p22). the Jiuquan space centre in the Gobi Desert.

AIR TRANSPORT AEROSPACE Goodbye TEL, Hello BER Live virus airliner cleaning Berlin Airports Berlin trials show success Boeing and the University sprays, (UV) of Arizona have conducted wands and antimicrobial first ever trials using a coatings were all found to ‘live’ virus on airliners be effective in cleaning the that confirms that current aircraft interiors from the airline cleaning methods test virus, which is harder are enough to destroy to kill than Covid-19. the Covid-19 virus. The Meanwhile, as part of its Some nine years late and €4bn over budget, Berlin’s new airport Brandenburg Willy tests used a 787 mock- Confident Travel Initiative, Brandt, finally opened on 31 October. The airport had been planned to replace the Cold up cabin and a real 737 Boeing has licensed a UV War Tegel and pre-WW2 Tempelhof airports to service the German capital but the with a ‘safe’ live virus, hand wand designed to project encountered a number of delays since construction started on it in 2006. Tegel MS2, introduced into the sanitise aircraft cabins and Airport (above) closed for passenger operations on 8 November after 50 years, although environment. Chemical flightdecks to Florida- the airport will be kept in an operational state for six months. disinfectants, electrostatic based Healthe Inc. NEWS IN BRIEF

a possible trainer for the 150 votes in favour, 12 186mile range of the Dash 8 equipped with New start-up long-haul Belgium Air Force. The against (including China, Lilium Jet eVTOL. microphones. Some 200 carrier Flypop, which aircraft is a version of the Cuba, Russia and Syria) microphones were also plans to begin flights Dart-450 fitted with a and eight abstentions. German aerospace installed on the ground between the UK and more powerful 550shp GE research organisation at Magdeburg-Cochstedt secondary cities in H75-100 turboprop. German eVTOL start-up DLR has conducted Airport during the trials. India from 2021, has Lilium has announced a ground-breaking secured £1m from the The United Nations has that it is to create the acoustic research project Portuguese charter UK Government’s Future formally adopted a UK- first urban air mobility where aircraft noise was airline HiFly is to phase Fund loan scheme. sponsored resolution (UAM) network in the US simultaneously measured out operations with its to promote responsible in Lake Nona, Orlando, on the aircraft and the leased single Airbus A delegation from Belgium behaviour in space. The Florida in 2025. The UAM ground at the same time. A380 after only three has visited Diamond resolution ‘Reducing network, to be launched in The FusionProp trial, years of operations. The Aircraft’s Wiener Neustadt Space Threats through partnership with Tavistock conducted in partnership ex-Singapore Airlines headquarters in Austria Norms, Rules and Development Company with GE Aviation in A380 was unveiled in to inspect and fly the Principles of Responsible and the City of Orlando, Munich, saw a DLR Do28 HiFly colours at the two-seat Dart-550 which Behaviour’ was carried will connnect 20 million turboprop test aircraft Farnborough Air Show in is being considered as on 6 November with Floridians within the and a de Havilland 2018. In July, the carrier

8 AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT DEFENCE Latest airline losses from Airbus launches new Spanish trainer bid

Covid-19 crisis and Space Airbus Defence Airlines have continued to with $1.2bn, Delta Air reel from the effects of the Lines with $5.4bn and Covid-19 downturn on air United with a $1.8bn travel. US-based airlines loss. Meanwhile, on 12 have posted massive Q3 November, Gulf super- losses as the pandemic carrier Emirates Group continues to cause havoc reported its first loss in 30 with commercial air travel. years, with a six-month net Air Alaska reported a loss of $3.8bn, compared $431m loss for the third to a profit of $235m for the quarter of 2020. It joins same period in the previous (DS) in Spain has unveiled a new advanced jet trainer design American Airlines which year. Revenue for the first that it is hoping will be ordered as the Spanish Air Force’s new lead-in fighter trainer announced a Q3 loss six months fell 74% from (LIFT). The single-engined twin-seat Airbus Future Jet Trainer (AFJT) is aiming to replace of $2.4bn, Southwest $14.9bn to $3.7bn. Spain’s CASA C101 and Northrop F-5M Tiger II lead in trainers.

GENERAL AVIATION AEROSPACE Hill Helicopters Hill Helicopters MHI to halt development reveals of SpaceJet ’s Mitsubishi Heavy of Defense has officially turbine Industries (MHI) is to halt signed a contract with MHI engine development of its regional to begin development of the SpaceJet airliner due to F-X next generation stealth the effect of the pandemic. fighter. MHI will be the prime Coming short of exiting contractor on the fighter, the commercial aircraft which will replace F-2 fighters business completely, MHI in service with the JASDF and said it would temporarily will enter service by 2035. UK rotary-wing start-up Hill Helicopters has unveiled details of a new turbine engine it is pause development of the The engines, meanwhile, developing for its five-seat HX50 light helicopter. Developed in-house, the 500shp GT50 much-delayed aircraft, which will be subcontracted and turbine has been designed to reduce cost and mechanical complexity, with a compressor originally was meant to enter MHI will also look for an gearbox removed and a direct-drive starter generator used. It also features a FADEC that service in 2013. international partner for the integrates with a haptic collective to provide ‘feel’ to the pilot of power reserves.  Meanwhile, Japan’s Ministry programme.

tried to adapt to Covid-19, by converting it into a After eight months, NASA Correction ON THE MOVE temporary freighter by has re-established contact In the October edition of on 9 November by removing all the economy with the space probe AEROSPACE, in the feature Virgin Galactic has President Donald Trump. seats. , the longest New Member Spotlight on appointed Jameel Janjua His position is being taken Didunoluwa Obilanade, some radio silence between and Patrick Moran as two by Christopher Miller. His text from a previous profile Boeing has announced Earth and the spacecraft in was reused under an answer new pilots to be based at firing preceded a large that the first components 30 years. The radio silence for ‘Who is your biggest America. scale change of high-level for the first two RAF E-7A was due to an upgrade inspiration’ and incorrectly civilian leadership at the Wedgetails are now in to NASA’s Deep Space attributed to him. His biggest EL Al CEO Gonen Pentagon. inspirations are NASA the UK at STS Aviation Network dish in Canberra, astronauts Leland Melvin and Usishkin has announced Services in Birmingham. Australia, that began in Charles Bolden. that he will step down Sophie-Louse O’Sullivan The Section 46 fuselage March, and is the only radio in January and a search is the interim head of the sections, which support antenna able to transmit We apologise for any for his replacement is UK CAAs General Aviation confusion caused. the MESA radar on top of commands to the 43-year underway. Unit, taking over from the aircraft will be used to old spacecraft, which is Rachel Gardner-Poole who modify 737NGs into the now 11,681.61m miles US Defense Secretary is on secondment at the AEW&C platform. from Earth. Mark Esper was sacked UK Space Agency.

DECEMBER 2020 9 By the Numbers Understanding the world of Aerospace through data Nagorno-Karabakh drone war compared International Institute for Strategic Studies

10 AEROSPACE Pushing the Envelope Exploring advances on the leading edge of aerospace Robert Coppinger The Holy Grail for synthetic fuel?

uel made from air and water as cheap per day of synthetic crude or about 100m litres per as the cheapest barrel of crude and year. which makes aviation a carbon neutral transport system would seem to be The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis too good to be true but two different Fcompanies have working production plants and The process for making synthetic fuel, once the customers. carbon and hydrogen is obtained, is well known. Supersonic airliner developer Boom is one In the 1920s, German inventors, Franz Fischer customer and for its technology demonstrator test and Hans Tropsch, invented what is known flights next year US firm Prometheus Fuels will as the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. McGinnis supply synthetic fuel made from carbon taken from explains that while that process is well known, the air. “We’ve committed to supplying a substantial “the hard part, the interesting part is getting it portion of (the test flight fuel)”, said Carbon (fuel) at the right price”. He sees the business Engineering founder and Chief Executive Officer, model being predicated on, “very inexpensive Rob McGinnis, who holds a chemical engineering renewables,” and points to solar energy only doctorate from Yale University. The Boom, being about “one and a half cents per kilowatt Prometheus relationship was made public in June hour”. Almost 100 years after Fischer and 2019. In July this year AS2 supersonic business Tropsch, the game changers are green power jet developer, Aerion, which has Boeing as an and the direct air carbon capture (DAC) process. investor, announced it was working with Canadian firm Carbon Engineering (CE). Catching CO2 Pulling power from thin air While McGinnis promises a production footprint that could fit in a hangar and Stukas offers plants Aerion and CE are to explore how synthetic fuel at the scale the customer wants, the area required could power Aerion’s AS2 jet. Prometheus and CE for DAC is substantial. While the atmosphere

both capture carbon from the air, take hydrogen has a dangerous (CO2) level of from a source such as electrolysed water and 410 parts per million, those are not using green, solar or wind power synthesise the in convenient dense spots. In one year, DAC

fuel. Different scientific studies over the years technology can grab 20 tonnes of CO2 from the have produced a wide range of carbon capture atmosphere for every square metre of absorbent.

costs per tonne. Carbon Engineering’s Business The world emitted 33bn tonnes of CO2 in 2019 Development Vice President, Anna Stukas does alone. However, aviation in 2019 emitted 915m WITHIN THREE TO not expect the barrel price to be, “on par with the tonnes according to the Air Transport Action FIVE YEARS (HIS) cost of pulling fuel out of the ground,” but sees a Group. market for low carbon fuel standards. McGinnis is Therefore, with 45,000km², or the whole of SYNTHETIC FUEL far more bullish about cheap fuel. Slovakia, DAC technology could capture aviation’s COULD COMPETE, McGinnis said he believes that, within three 2019 emissions in 12 months. Stukas explains “ALL THE WAY to five years his synthetic fuel could compete, “all that CE’s business model is two-fold: it is carbon DOWN TO $20 A the way down to $20 a barrel”. He also said that sequestration and synthetic fuel production. In BARREL” his process does not have by-products, whereas future, airlines could buy a DAC plant, set it up Stukas says that CE’s produces calcium carbonate. at a geologically appropriate location and pump Rob McGinnis McGinnis also talks about a production plant extracted CO into the ground and not produce 2 Founder and Chief that can fit inside a standard shipping container, fuel. The airlines would not necessarily just buy while Stukas talks about being able to design, carbon neutral fuel, they could also pay for the Executive Officer, ‘a commercial plant for any scale desired’. The sequestration of carbon for emissions trading Carbon designs CE has so far scale up to 2,000 barrels schemes’ carbon credits. Engineering

DECEMBER 2020 11 Transmission

LETTERS AND ONLINE @aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com

Careers in Aerospace Relocated Legends Mariya Tarabanovska [On Careers in Aerospace and Aviation event] Flight Crowd is very excited to be a part of this year’s Virtual Event! Thank you i for having us among all other f fantastic exhibitors, we had a great discussion with students Air Power conference and young professionals! Remembrance Day

Harrison Childs I’m excited to be able to attend this event even if it’s online!

Sir Chris Harper [On Air Power Conference on 7-8 Vicky Mason Cranfield December(1)] This should be University is proud to be an an excellent event – some exhibitor at your first virtual stellar speakers being lined Careers in Aerospace and up. Please may I strongly Aviation #CIAALIVE20. encourage you to join us? Robert Scott Proud to be a member of the Society and see it reminding us all of the importance of remembering the fallen who gave their so that we could enjoy ours. Never forget. @GotALightBoy [On Flying @TommiesGuides Many Legends to relocate to Sywell will, of course, be taking off in 2021] That’s just down the from Duxford... road from me.

@EdwardAJames What?! @1Arnie1000 Great, only How can Flying Legends not half an hour drive away. be at Duxford?

. From the RAeS photo archives F-35s for UAE Slo-mo aerodynamics in F-22 demo

RAeS/NAL team video astounds

@peterbcooper [On US YouTube to fast-track 50 x F-35s for UAE – realistic?] Given that 50 F-35s represents ~15% of the US complement on hand, that part at least seems highly unlikely.

@shashj I presume there is little point in getting F-35s against the wishes of the Biden administration anyway, @flyfly100 [On USAF @mattallen Where we’re A prototype McDonnell XF-88A was converted into the since a plane without support F-22 demo team video(2)] As going, we don’t need roads! XF-88B by fitting an Allison XT38 turboprop in the nose to is near useless. Scotty from Star Trek said: carry out research during 1956 into supersonic propellers “you canna change the laws of varying diameters and blade numbers. In the process, of physics” but that aircraft the aircraft became the first propeller-equipped aircraft to seems capable of doing that. exceed the speed of sound.

12 AEROSPACE Air-to-air refuelling of civil airliners – is it a good or a bad idea? BRULIC @steerwithmyrear [On Civil @Jjcoop36 Interesting story air-to-air refuelling blog(3)] I’m but AAR has not been the just imagining the Cobham exclusive preserve of the PR team getting tweets from military. In 1939 Imperial angry Bali holiday makers Airways had teamed with because of a hard hose Flight Refuelling Limited to making them divert into Baku. begin using AAR for cross- Atlantic commercial flights. The rise of WW2 ended the @dtieic Interesting. practice. The British were Something to do with all the going to use it for Operation surplus A380s and it would UK company BRULIC is looking at concepts which would enable civil airliners to take-off Olympic, if I recall. In Europe be a big help for commercial with less fuel and extend their range by refuelling in flight from tanker aircraft flying at a safe there wasn’t much upside supersonic flight. distance behind them. This would optimise their range and save fuel. to AAR in my opinion. B-17s/24s, Lancasters/ @A6MZer0 I like the @CobraBall3 So let’s done in a simulator. do when the drogue doesn’t Halifaxes could all reach switched positions with the explore why this is a bad idea: (3) Aerodynamic inefficiency extend or the tanker rips off the Ruhr and beyond and feeder aircraft taking full (1) Liability/Insurance – What – lightweight cruise mid-flight the basket during aircraft refuelling for fighters was control of the situation. Safer, do you think the premiums at FL410 requires a descent refuelling. Happens too often beyond the technology of less expensive (only the feeder will be when Lloyds reads to FL240 or so to meet a to discount. Imagine landing the time. pilots need additional training) ‘operating large aircraft in tanker fat with gas. Can’t get at LHR with the drogue fully but may take a bit longer than close proximity is inherently back to 410, so burns more extended, shutting down the otherwise. Technically it seems dangerous’ written in every gas at lower altitude and only landing runway. viable but is there a business US tanker manual? Let alone higher gross weight (7) The list goes on far @DayLyt100 Good luck case? I mean, we need to the litigation from an incident (4) Airspace management – longer than can with that philosophy in the factor in the cost of refuelling. or crash. aircraft requires an altitude accommodate. Can’t believe near future. Push me, pull How many refuellings per (2) Receiver training/ block (eg FL 240B260) and any CEO would buy into this, you is going to be exciting. ground-air-ground cycle currency – it ain’t just straight rendezvous of two jets. Military especially the liability issue Sign that off anyone? would the feeder need to do? and level. Qualification and aircraft can go Due Regard with sue-happy passengers How can the scheduling be ‘regular in jet currency’ in and MARSA. Airlines can’t. claiming PTSD from touching managed? Lots of interesting rendezvous, abnormal and (5) Failed on load – think another in flight questions to answer. Thanks emergency procedures ETOPs but for fuel. triggering nightmares of mid- for sharing this. (breakaway) that can’t be (6) Things break – what to air collisions.

Charging standards Government funding for new UK airline UK stealth chopper history in detail JAH Flypop @murphtothesky Well for one, Flypop won’t have existing very expensive deals for things like airport charges, Tecnam Tecnam’s P-Volt electric aircraft fuel and the bloody aeroplanes design themselves! Leasing companies are offering @TheWoracle [On electric @AlcockNews [On start- power-by-the-hour deals at aircraft charging standards] up airline Flypop gets UK the moment to get their assets Do we know what charging Government funding to moving! standard Rolls/Tecnam and begin services in 2021] You Eviation, Ampaire and MagniX have to wonder how the UK will use for their aircraft? Are Government has money to @MichaelJPryce they co-ordinating with each fund a start-up airline but Presumably they will have to A new research paper(4) has been published in the RAeS online other? It seems like a good apparently has no coherent change their name if they ever Journal of Aeronautical History on Westland’s development of time to install the highest rate plan as to how existing carriers move to low carbon Airlander the attack helicopter from the Armed Escort Lynx and P277 production EV chargers at can be kept in business during airships! through to the Westland WG.47 stealth helicopter of the 1980s early adopter airports. Covid-19. (twin tail rotor configuation concept design model shown above).

1. https://www.aerosociety.com/events-calendar/raes-air-power-conference/ 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq2cTx-uGgA 3. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/a-century-on-is-it-time-for-in-flight-refuelling-to-come-of-age/ 4. https://www.aerosociety.com/publications/jah-westland-and-the-attack-helicopter-from-lynx-to-apache/

@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes f facebook.com/raes www.aerosociety.com DECEMBER 2020 13 SPACEFLIGHT Invaders to Mars! Dr ADAM BAKER FRAeS, Professor GUGLIELMO AGLIETTI FRAeS, RICHARD LOWE MRAeS and PAT NORRIS FRAeS from the RAeS Space Group describe the three probes now heading for Mars – and one that’s not.

here may not be a ‘race to Mars’ but How to explore Mars there is plenty of national prestige hanging on the success of the three Why are fundamental to our exploration of space probes currently en route to the Mars? Rockets enable travel between the separate Red Planet. The US and China will both of Earth and Mars, whose alignments restrict Tput rovers on the surface, the American one outfitted efficient or ‘minimum energy’ transfers to narrow with a small helicopter – a first on Mars – while the ‘windows’ every two years. Transfers to Mars require United Arab Emirates (UAE) will place their probe in about 1/3 more energy compared to reaching orbit above the planet, as will the Chinese. We first Earth orbit from the ground. When a spacecraft look at why Mars is such a popular destination and reaches Mars, it can briefly fly past taking images what it takes to get there, then look at each of the or video, as did the earliest probes; or rendezvous three probes, ending with one (European) that has and go into orbit around the planet. Rockets for not made it (yet). decelerating are also needed for rendezvous as Mars travels more slowly than Earth around Why Mars? the Sun. On reaching Mars, spacecraft have the option of landing on the surface, requiring further Mars has the most Earth-like surface conditions rocket propulsion. Since October 1960, almost 50 of any nearby planet. However, ‘most Earth-like’ is missions, some comprising orbiters and landers still quite hostile. The atmosphere is thin and non- have targeted Mars. Unfortunately, only around breathable carbon dioxide; temperatures drop to 50% of landers have succeeded: the USSR’s Mars –100°C at night; and oxidising dust is widespread. 3 landed and operated for only two minutes before Closed life support systems are needed to walk going silent in 1971: the UK’s 2 was lost on Mars’ surface. Even so, life may have existed during landing in 2005 but subsequently identified previously and inhabited Mars’ surface – which was intact on the surface in 2015. This low success rate once warmer, with a thicker atmosphere and liquid arises in part from Mars’ thin atmosphere, which is water. Today, some robust forms of simple life may still not substantial enough to sufficiently slow descent exist, well hidden where local conditions favour it. with parachutes alone as on Earth but is thick is unlikely to reveal itself on our enough to significantly increase the complexity and current missions, which continue to map Mars from risks of landing. orbit in a range of wavebands while only exploring a tiny fraction of the surface from the ground. If life NASA’s rover evolved and then died out on the Red Planet, then fossil records may remain where prehistoric oceans NASA’s latest mission builds on the earlier success once were. of the Curiosity rover mission (launched in 2011). Finding a fossil record will have profound Perseverance is based on the same design concept, implications for our theories of how life evolved in taking advantage of both lessons learned and our , pointing to a greater likelihood parts available from the earlier mission. The result of life elsewhere in the Universe. This might also is a vehicle with the size and weight of a small car, trigger humanity to seriously consider Mars as a weighing in at just over 1tonne and powered by future second outpost of humanity. Early human plutonium. It will also reprise Curiosity’s dramatic ‘Sky visits may be brief but Mars’ subsurface water, ice Crane’ descent system. Following the main high- and solar energy resources can support longer term speed descent phase, a ‘Jet Pack’ will gently lower human habitation. This may involve geoengineering the rover onto the surface. or ’terraforming’, requiring improved interplanetary The rover’s plutonium-based radioisotope transportation infrastructure, and command of greater thermoelectric generator (RTG) provides all the energy resources than today. Sorry Elon, it’s going power needed for the mission, allowing Perseverance to be some time yet before we can live on Mars to operate continuously through Mars’ day-night cycle

NASA permanently… but keep building those rockets! and seasons.

14 AEROSPACE NASA’s Curiosity has now been on the Red Planet for eight years.

Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of the new mission is Curiosity’s travelling companion, named . For the first time, a helicopter will be flown in the atmosphere of another planet. Ingenuity is primarily a technology demonstrator but could pave the way for a radically different approach to exploring Mars. At just under 2kg, it is a relatively light drone. Nevertheless, Mars’ thin atmosphere still calls for a pair of 1m diameter, counter-rotating rotor blades. A short series of test flights will take place, at some range from the rover, until batteries are exhausted. In the near term, UAV support for rovers may bring an advantage for route planning and local at various wavelengths and atmospheric sensors. reconnaissance. In the longer term, we may start to The rover will carry a of Martian origin see UAVs moving from a support role to a primary (previously held at the London Natural History exploration role. If a 1tonne rover can be deployed Museum) back to Mars, as a test target for checking gently to the surface, then much larger Martian UAVs its own instruments’ responses. The suite also could also be deployed includes a demonstrator for generating from The experiment suite for Perseverance also Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide. Such a capability includes a range of new gadgets, with collaboration could support future in-situ fuel generation for return between NASA and Spain, France and Norway. journeys back to Earth and life-support for manned Instruments include ground radar, optical analysis missions.

DECEMBER 2020 15 SPACEFLIGHT Exploration of Mars

Complementing a wide range of cameras, Perseverance carries microphones that will capture sound during descent and while exploring the surface, treating us to the sounds of Mars. The mission launched successfully on 30 July 2020 and is scheduled to land on Mars in late February 2021.

China’s Tianwen-1

China’s Chang’e 4 and its -2 rover have been exploring the surface of the farside of the Moon since 3 January 2019, the first probes to do so. Having demonstrated world-leading exploration Space Agency UAE credentials on the Moon, the China National Space Administration has expanded its horizons to Mars, and Top: UAE’s Hope probe. Martian days (92.5 Earth days). It will communicate Tianwen-1 now on its way there will give it ‘Red Planet Right: China’s Tianwen-1 direct with Earth and via the Orbiter. pioneer’ status as the first ever combined orbiter, lander. lander and rover mission. The launcher Tianwen-1 will enter a 265km by 1,200km in February 2021. The 3.2 tonne Orbiter, On 23 July 2020 at 12:41 local time (04:41 UTC) with a design life of two years, contains seven the holiday crowds enjoying a sunny afternoon on the scientific instruments to analyse the surface of beaches of China’s sub-tropical Hainan Island cheered Mars and its space environment – high resolution as the (LM5) rocket carried the 4∙9 (~1m) and medium resolution (~100m) cameras, tonne Tianwen-1 assemblage aloft. The launch time a (in collaboration with the Austrian had not been announced in advance but live streams Research Promotion Agency (FFG)), an ion and of the event were broadcast over social media by neutral particle analyser, a high-energy particle several of those in the area. LM5 is the heavy- analyser, a to study the mineralogy of lift member of China’s new generation of launch Mars and a subsurface radar. vehicles capable of placing a 25 tonne payload into The Lander and its Rover will stay attached to the . Its core rocket motors are fuelled by Orbiter in space for two or three months after arrival at liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen illustrating that this Mars to allow time to refine the choice of landing site generation is the first not to be derived from missile – a tactic employed by NASA’s Viking landers in the technology (previous LM rockets used hypergolic 1970s. Two possible sites (each defined by a 100km fuels that could be stored for long periods at room by 40km ellipse) have been chosen in Utopia Planitia, temperature). This was the fourth launch of LM5 and a ~3,000km x 3,000km region centred on about there has also been one of the closely related LM5B. 115°, latitude 45°N, within which Viking-2 The launch trajectory took the rocket south east touched down in 1976. over the Philippines close to Manila (some might say The 1∙3 tonne Lander (carrying the 240kg Rover) too close from a safety perspective). During the six will use a combination of a heat shielding capsule, month cruise to Mars, Tianwen-1 will make two or a parachute and a 7,500 newton retro-rocket to three course corrections using its onboard propulsion burn off entry speed and make a soft landing, then system. The (ESA) provided deploy a ramp for the Rover to descend. The Rover tracking for the spectroscope support for the early incorporates six scientific instruments to analyse phases of the flight and the Argentinian Space Agency mineralogy and atmosphere: a multispectral camera, a (Conae) is supporting it by way of a Chinese-run navigation/topography camera, a ground-penetrating tracking station installed in that country. The logos radar able to image 100m below the surface, a of the four international collaborators (ESA, Conae, laser-induced breakdown instrument CNES (France) and FFG) were emblazoned on the (similar to the LIBS instrument on NASA’s Curiosity’s), LM5’s fairing. a magnetic field detector and a package. As with the Chang’e (Moon Goddess) probes, The ground-penetrating radar will not only analyse China has made reference to its ancient literature near-surface geological structures but also search for with the name Tianwen – it means ‘questions to the underground pockets of water. For the spectroscope heavens’ after the poem of that name by QuYuan instrument, France provided a calibration target that (3rd Century BC) that asks philosophical questions duplicates the one on Curiosity, with the intention of including how the Universe was created. If the Moon allowing a rigorous comparison of the two datasets. probe naming policy is followed, we may expect About twice the size of the Chang’e Moon rovers, the separate Orbiter, Lander and Rover to be given the Tianwen-1 Rover is a six-wheeled, solar powered, specific names with a similar cultural theme as the 2.0 × 1.65 × 1.85m vehicle with a design life of 90 mission progresses.

16 AEROSPACE CNSA JAXA to Mitsubishi and, since 2003, 36 launches were successfully performed. Currently, on its way to Mars, the spacecraft is due to acquire a semi-synchronous orbit around the planet at an altitude between 20,000km and 43,000km, with a velocity similar to that of the surface of the planet. This will enable prolonged observations of areas of the planet with the objective to study the dynamics of its atmosphere.

ExoMars

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Russian Space Agency () also plan to place a rover on Mars through the ExoMars programme. ESA’s Looking to the future, not content with sending Rosalind Franklin rover, built in Stevenage in the UK, probes on a one-way trip, China plans to bring will be carried to the surface by Roscosmos’ samples back to Earth from the surface of the Moon (‘Little Cossack’) descent system. in 2021, then from an asteroid in the mid- A successful Mars rover mission would be a big and finally from the surface of Mars at the end of the result for ESA, Roscosmos and the UK in particular. decade. ESA has achieved major exploration successes through probes such as the lander (Saturn’s UAE’S Al-Amal moon, ) and ( exploration) but ExoMars carries its first rover. The UK has some pride In the last few years, the UAE presence in the space to recover following the ill-fated Beagle-2 lander (also sector has grown significantly, with eye-catching UK-built, which accompanied the otherwise highly participation in international conferences and other successful ESA orbiter). Roscosmos high-profile initiatives. can also take this mission as a big opportunity for After having successfully put three Earth Russia to re-assert its earlier capabilities. The path to observation into orbit, the current Mars Mars has been a graveyard for many missions. The Mission Al-Amal, also known as Hope, is timed to USSR successfully placed just one lander on the arrive at Mars just before the 50th anniversary of the surface (‘’, 1971) – which failed just 14∙5secs country’s independence, giving the UAE a leadership into its first image transmission. position in the Arab world for this sector. Besides the Kazachok and Rosalind Franklin were originally international prestige, the mission aims to catalyse scheduled for launch during the summer of 2020. interest and develop new capabilities for UAE industry Unfortunately, difficulties with the parachute descent and academic institutions, to ultimately grow their system could not be resolved in time to maintain the wider high-tech sector. schedule. The launch is now expected to take place The development of the $200m mission in 2022 (the next time that Earth and Mars’ orbits will (excluding the cost of the operations), has been bring them into the right positions). led by the UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), and the spacecraft was built in Arrival Feb 2021 – then what? partnership with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), at the University of Colorado, All three probes (US, UAE and China) will coast for Boulder. The three instruments that are carried by about six months to Mars, arriving in February 2021. the craft also had UAE scientists and engineers Tianwen-1 and Al Amal will manoeuvre themselves working in partnership with staff from Arizona State into orbit around the planet, while Perseverance will University and the University of California, Berkeley, descend straight to the surface. The nerve-wracking fostering knowledge transfer and growing local UAE tension of a Mars descent will be heightened by video capabilities. beamed by its downward-pointing camera back to The spacecraft, which weighs 3,000lb (1,361kg) Earth. It will be April or May 2021 before Tianwen-1 and measures 2.9m in length by 2.4m width, was descends from orbit to the surface and it remains to successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space be seen if China will announce the landing date in Center, in Japan, on a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ advance. H-IIA rocket at 21:58 UTC Sunday, 9 July 2020. With so much attention – and technical capability Later, mission control communicated that the – being focused on Mars, the 2020s may be a tipping spacecraft had successfully separated from the point in its exploration. A sustained and successful rocket, reconfirming the reliability of this vehicle. programme of orbiters, landers, rovers – and The operation of this rocket was privatised in 2007, helicopters – on Mars will make the solar system start transferring production and launch services from to feel just a little bit smaller.

DECEMBER 2020 17 DEFENCE Russia’s PAK DA bomber

Russian stealth rising the PAK DA bomber

This year saw the first airframe components and construction started on Russia’s new strategic bomber – the PAK DA. EUGENE GERDEN provides an update on the delayed project.

ork on Russia’s new On 3 September 2009, the Russian Defence modern bomber, the PAK Ministry awarded Design Bureau a three- DA (promising long-range year R&D contract to undertake studies for a new aviation complex) programme long-range bomber. is entering its final stage. The RussianW TASS news agency, which cited sources Subsonic design from the country’s military-industrial complex, says that Russia has begun the construction In August 2013, the commander of the Russian of the first prototype of the aircraft at the Air Force, Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev, facilities of the United Aircraft Corporation. said that, like its American counterpart (B-2 ), The construction works began shortly after the the bomber would be subsonic. However, it will be completion of all the design documentation for able to carry more missiles and bombs than the

the project by Tupolev Corporation, which De Tu-160 long-range bomber. nis M an tu acts as the main designer of the project. ro According to initial state plans, the v, U Top of page: TsAGI The first mention of Russia’s A first flight of the PAK DA should have C , wind-tunnel models of its next-generation long-range strategic C been completed in 2015-2017, while h a civil BWB projects. The i

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of technical and tactical requirements v as the Russian Government decided t current chairman of the for a new strategic bomber, while ) to extend the service life of its three UAC since 2015. financing of the programme began in strategic missile . Right: Tu-95, Tu-22, 2008. Yury Borisov, Russia’s Deputy Prime Tu-22M, Tu-160 bombers According to initial plans, the PAK DA was to Minister (and a former Deputy Minister of at Poltava Museum of be heavily based on the supersonic Tupolev Defence) said the new PAK DA will make its Long-Range and Strategic Aviation. Tu-160 but these plans were later revised. first flight in 2025-2026, while the beginning of All above images from TsAGI

18 AEROSPACE serial production is scheduled for 2028-2029. nuclear weapons, while its power plant will have a He stressed that the new aircraft will be able to thrust of 23 tons. use any airfields for its take-off and landing. The Tests of the new engine will be conducted flight tests of PAK DA will be conducted at the on similar basis to the heavy military transport Zhukovsky flight test and aviation base. aircraft IL-76 and will begin in late 2020. They are WITH A expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Modern bomber SIMILAR SHAPE, So far, about RUB8bn ($150m) has been SUBSONIC allocated for the development of the new engine Viktor Bondarev, the Chairman of the Committee that will be produced by Samara, although the on Defence and Security of the Russian Council FLIGHT SPEED, total volume of investment in the project has not of Federation, the upper house of the Russian COMPARABLE currently been disclosed. Parliament, said the new PAK DA could become RANGE AND According to preliminary information, the most modern long-range bomber in the ARMAMENT production of the aircraft will be carried out by the Russian Air Force. Gorbunov Kazan Production Association. Planned According to experts, strategic bombers have CAPABILITIES, production volumes of the new bomber are always been the most complex type of combat THANKS currently not disclosed. aircraft, in the Russian Air Force, the US and in TO NEW other countries. This is mainly due to the time, Flying wing effort and spending associated with the design of AVIONICS AND this type of aircraft and the conducting of flight ARMAMENTS, With regards to technical parameters, the new tests. Bondarev added that the new aircraft will be OUR NEW PAK DA will be based on a ‘flying wing’ design a synthesis of all the best features of the existing BOMBER WILL with the maximum use of ‘stealth’ technologies. bombers in Russia, such as the Tu-22M3, Tu-160 Its invisibility will be ensured by a special radar- and Tu-95MS. In general, the new bomber will be HAVE SOME absorbing covering – using Russian know-how - a completely new machine, which was designed ADVANTAGE and the maximum use of composite materials. literally from scratch and has no analogues in the OVER THE B-2 It will be equipped with the most modern Russian and Soviet Air Forces. SPIRIT AT THE means of electronic warfare, that will be capable of suppressing the electronics of enemy aircraft and Tough specifications FIRST STAGE homing systems for anti-aircraft missiles and air- to-air missiles. All missile and bomb weapons will As the majority of details about the project is be placed inside the fuselage and wings, which will classified, only a few details about the aircraft and complicate its detection by enemy radars. its engines have recently become public. Some The aircraft’s systems will most likely be details were revealed by the PJSC ‘Kuznetsov’ based on an open platform, which will provide the public procurement website, according to which opportunity of quick updates in order to meet new the main and backup electronic systems of challenges. the engine will ensure a flight duration of up Unlike the Tu-160, the new aircraft will be to 30 hours. At the same time, fuel supply and subsonic, which means that its maximum speed hydromechanical control systems will operate at will not probably exceed 1,000km/h. That will near zero and negative overloads up to 2∙7G and contribute to its longer flight range and duration of at temperatures from –60 to +50ºC. The engine’s the flight, compared to supersonic models. minimum service life will be 12 years with the With a range of 15,000km, plus the 5,000km possibility of extending up to 21 years. The engine range of the Kh-102 cruise missile that will must be resistant to the damaging effects of probably be installed on it, the new PAK DA will

DECEMBER 2020 19 DEFENCE Russia’s PAK DA bomber

be capable of hitting ground and naval targets and regarding the prospects of the new bomber, despite can be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Its take-off the design of the PAK DA taking into account the weight will be 145tonnes. experience of the US developing the B-2 Spirit, According to designers and analysts, the which became the best strategic bomber in the US increased range of the aircraft will provide it with military aviation fleet, both in terms of price and the opportunity of reaching targets using a more quality. complex route that is unpredictable for an enemy and will bypass air defence zones, as well as making Spirit inspired it less dependent on tankers. In addition to the cruise missile, another option Viktor Kuzovkov, a well-known Russian military may involve the installation of a hypersonic weapon. analyst and columnist, believes the PAK DA’s One of them could even be the air-launched version capabilities are unlikely to far exceed the of the ‘Zircon’ hypersonic missile. capabilities of the American B-2 Spirit, which was officially launched as far back as 1989. Kuzovkov Space interceptor comments: “With a similar shape, subsonic flight speed, comparable range and armament capabilities, According to some Russian analysts in the field of thanks to new avionics and armaments, our new military aviation, one of the main differences of the bomber will have some advantage over the B-2 PAK DA over its US analogues will be its ability to Spirit at the first stage. However, it is obvious that act as a counter space platform. The armament of the Americans will be able to catch up fairly quickly. a PAK DA with hypersonic missiles will provide it Statements which have been made by some of the with the ability not only to hit ground targets and highest officials at the Russian Ministry of Defence aircraft carriers but also potential targets in outer about the complete new origin of the new aircraft space. That will allow the aircraft to destroy both are not probably completely justified.” military satellites and strategic missile warheads. At the same time, according to Kuzovkov, the The Russians think, therefore, that the main task construction of the PAK DA in subsonic version of the PAK DA will not be related with bombing could be considered as one of its advantages. of enemy territories but rather the interception of Thanks to its subsonic basis, the new aircraft will space targets. not face such serious problems which are typical In the meantime, despite the optimism for . One of these is the thermal of designers and the Russian senior military exhaust, which is one of the major weaknesses commanders, some analysts remain sceptical of supersonic aircraft, particularly during the Russian MoD

Tu-160 Blackjack showing off its loadout including Kh-55SM nuclear-armed cruise missiles (rear row) and the more modern Kh-101/102 steathly cruise missiles. The Kh-101 had its combat debut in Syria.

20 AEROSPACE Marina Lystseva

afterburner operation of its engines. As Kuzovkov According to Vasily Kashin, a senior researcher A Russian Tupolev adds, the main problem associated with such at the Higher School of Economics and an expert Tu-95MS (28 RED) at thermal exhaust is that modern infrared optics at of the Russian Center for Analysis of Strategies Engels Air Force Base, Russia. Small numbers of night can detect such a glowing spot at a distance and Technologies, building such an aircraft is an the PAK DA may see the of several hundred kilometers. acute need for the Russian Air Forces, taking Tu-95 serve on. In the meantime, other Russian analysts in into account that the existing Russian Tu-95 and the field of military aviation also believe that much Tu-160 bombers are visible to modern air defence should be done in order to successfully complete systems, which means the Russian Air Forces the project of building the most modern Russian need a more modern machine with low radar bomber. Viktor Murakhovsky, a military expert and signature. editor-in-chief of the Arsenal Otechestva magazine, Vasily Kashin observes “This will seriously one of Russia’s leading military papers, says there is expand our combat capabilities and give a certain a need to consider the design of a completely new advantage. It will be very expensive and difficult engine for the new PAK DA and, according to the to design this type of aircraft. But Russia has expert, such work must begin soon. time for that. Long-range combat aviation is not as intensively used as civil aviation. In this regard, To complement not replace the service life is much longer. In general, Russian long-range aviation is still younger than the According to Murakhovsky, it is too early to say American one.” whether the new aircraft will be able to completely replace other missile carriers in the Russian Air A civil version? Forces. Viktor Murakhovsky comments: “The service life of aircraft, such as the Tu-95, is very long. At The new aircraft will not probably be available for the same time, in the US, B-52 bombers have also exports, even to Russia’s strategic allies at least at been in service for many years, still flying and being the initial stage. However, there is a possibility that upgraded for decades”. such a decision may be revised later. Russian military analysts believe the PAK DA will It is planned, during the second stage the be positioned as an extension of the already existing Russian government, together with a domestic long-range bombers in Russia, many of which are design engineering bureau, may consider the currently undergoing extensive modernisation. This construction of a civil version of the aircraft. Andrei has been recently confirmed by some Russian Krasnoperov, a pilot instructor and a major of the media, according to which the modernisation of Russian Air Force said it would be reasonable existing Tu-95 and Tu-160 long-range bombers to think about the civil version of the aircraft. (which were first put into operation during the Krasnoperov says: “The wing can accommodate 1950s and 1980s, respectively) is currently a lot of passengers and it does not require major ongoing. changes in design.”

DECEMBER 2020 21 DEFENCE UK Integrated Review RAAF

Destined to fail? The UK’s Integrated Review

HOWARD WHEELDON considers the air power implications from the much-heralded UK defence, security and foreign policy review – now seemingly in limbo.

he subject of much speculation, for the fiscal year 2021/2 means that publication of intentional MoD leaks and, most recently, a long-term strategy for defence, security and foreign Cabinet disagreement, whether or not the policy would be unfunded. For defence, news of the UK Government will have published the Treasury change of heart came as a shock and a delayed ‘Integrated Review of Defence, change of heart by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rish Security and Foreign Policy’ (IR) by the time you i Su Rishi Sunak seems unlikely. T na k M receive this, remains in the lap of the gods. P The Prime Minister knows well that ( U K

At some stage, left intact or severely G an unfunded IR would lack any form o v watered down, the IR will eventually ) of credibility in the eyes of those it emerge. My remit here is to attempt to is aimed at. The IR was intended look at how a successful IR strategy to portray ambition and intent built would potentially impact on air power and around increased UK presence on the the wider aspects of UK defence. international stage in the years ahead and to provide the basis of defence and Above: A Royal Australian Review abandoned security required. It was supposed to be about Air Force Boeing E-7A providing and motivation to invest in our future, Wedgetail AEW&C which The Treasury’s decision to abandon three-year in new advanced defence and security technologies is set to replace the RAF’s obsolete fleet of RAF ‘Comprehensive Spending Review’ departmental and to look hard into defence and what capabilities Sentry E-3Ds. funding in favour of a single-year budget settlement would be needed to support the ambition.

22 AEROSPACE With chances of the £15bn multi-year settlement Recognising the increased level of risk to digital being sought by the Prime Minister to support IR capabilities on which the nation is so dependent has looking increasingly less likely, defence planning is seen MoD strategy leaning toward increasing use likely to be forced to remain in the moribund position of offensive cyber capabilities, advanced information that it has been for the past two years. Long-term operations, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems foreign policy, defence and security strategy based on and space defence. Few would argue against such single as opposed to multi-year funding is not worth policies but the dichotomy for defence planners is the paper it is written on and, on that basis, I fear that that, while the need to embrace and exploit new IR is destined to fail. quantum-based technologies is now a given, a Our adversaries will no doubt be closely watching fundamental part of IR was designed to be based on events in the UK as they unfold. They continue to extending UK influence and reach and providing the increase spending on defence and, while it would level of defence support to back it. be remiss to suggest that the UK has not been Even worse for defence aspects of IR is that, increasing spending on defence, our allies appear to due to ongoing NATO commitments and the need to have been taking the level of threat far maintain sufficient levels of conventional more seriously. defence capability, affordability has, in this tortuous year of Covid-19 and Diminished ambition the huge impact this has had on the economy, once again become a priority. What might the IR contain and have attitudes Neither can we forget that years changed in recent weeks? Reading between LONG-TERM of underfunding, poor decision making, the lines, there are a number of events FOREIGN defence inflation and defence budget before this article was written that suggest to of which around 40% is spent on me that some of what was originally intended POLICY, equipment procurement and support to emerge in the IR has been subsequently DEFENCE AND have left the MoD open to all manner of watered down. SECURITY accusations of failure. This was and is As evidenced in no fewer than eight STRATEGY supposed to be addressed within IR. separate speeches given by UK defence BASED ON chiefs between 11 and 30 September, The chain of reviews it is not hard to detect that, in the weeks SINGLE AS leading up to intended publication, OPPOSED TO Defence reviews come and go and each a number of defence planning one provides a new set of priorities. assumptions based on forging policies of MULTI-YEAR Each sets out to ensure that the MoD extending UK influence and reach, have FUNDING IS will be able to balance its budget been dumbed down. NOT WORTH but, as we know to our cost, each is The first of these hints emerged THE PAPER IT driven by over ambition. Moving the from the Chief of Defence Intelligence goalposts, recognising that future at RAF Wyton and, if you look hard into IS WRITTEN defence capability requirements must each of these highly vetted speeches ON AND ON be affordable produces yet another you can sense a weakening of ambition. THAT BASIS, I dichotomy – one that from both political The same is true in addresses given by FEAR THAT IR IS and economic standpoints, requires the Secretary of State for Defence and affordability to be placed above need. Chief of the Defence Staff on HMS DESTINED TO Leaving aside issues of military Tamar, the Chief of the Air Staff at RAF FAIL culture, there is one more issue that has Waddington, Commander Strategic been a consistent and expensive irritation Command at Corsham, the Chief of the – one that seriously impacts on defence General Staff at 77x, Hermitage and, finally, from procurement just as it does across many aspects of the Secretary of State for Defence and Chief of the military operation – too much process. Process is time- Defence Staff via the Policy Exchange. consuming and expensive and, while a fact of life in Extending UK reach and influence not only respect of safety, it remains an issue that must at some requires funding but also a very different set of point be addressed. defence planning assumptions. The greater the So how does or will this impact on IR? Put simply, influence envisaged, the greater the overall cost. As when and if published, ambitions of extending reach the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt Gen James and influence will to an extent have been dumbed Hockenhull, said in his address at RAF Wyton on the down and, in respect of defence aspects of IR, anniversary of 9/11: “for the MoD everything starts increased investment in digital technologies and with recognising the capability and threats of our space at the expense of establishing an even larger adversaries – actors both state and non-state that are basis of cuts to conventional defence capability. seeking to undermine our cohesion and resilience to Among a number of what we can only assume challenge our strategic position”. had been intentional MoD leaks in order to gauge

DECEMBER 2020 23 DEFENCE UK Integrated Review Jonathan Webb

opinion of what may be to come, one that has been A lighter lift of particular concern to me in relation to air power was a revision to the previously well-thought through Another likely result of IR is that RAF medium and decision to replace the obsolete fleet of RAF Sentry heavy lift capability is also likely to be cut. SDSR 2015 E3-D early warning aircraft capability with five had contained plans to retire the remaining fleet of Boeing E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. It is now suggested C-130J medium lift capability. However that decision that, rather than acquiring five aircraft to replace was later reviewed in light of problems with the what had originally been eight E-3Ds, the number A400M Atlas and the inability of that aircraft, due to of Wedgetail aircraft procured could sink as low as size and weight limitations, to take over the crucial role three. that C-130J performs for UK special forces. The fear Cutting numbers of E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, remains that the numbers of C-130J aircraft could be already contracted to be purchased from Boeing further cut. and fitted out here in the UK, would have other One may live in hope that, given the attraction that potentially serious implications as well. For example, there are a number of potential buyers for C-130J Sentry E-3D capability operation, purchased in aircraft, this is not a case of the cart leading the horse. 1991, is effectively a part of our NATO commitment The same argument applies to the RAF’s fleet of eight and as such, default ownership of UK AWACS C-17 Globemaster aircraft which may well also see capability operation lies with SACEUR (Supreme numbers cut. Allied Commander Europe). An age-old argument that is as true today as ever With UK E-3D capability having been in a state is that volume and mass of military capability has a of terminal decline following years of neglect and value of its own. It is a rule that was only belatedly under investment, combined with planned retirement remembered by the MoD in the buy-back and In the firing line for cuts? of RAF Sentinel R1 surveillance capability next year, retention of Typhoon Tranche 1 fast jet aircraft and, Airbus A400M Atlas (left) it is suffice to say that UK ISTAR capability will be similarly, of C-130J capability which then led to the and Lockheed Martin seriously overstretched. reversal of policy indicated in SDSR 2015. C-130J. Crown copyright Crown copyright Crown

24 AEROSPACE BAE Systems

While I am loath to speculate on possible IR to that of requirement in order for us to meet a new Opposite page top: A decisions that might relate to numbers of RAF fast range of threats. Unless there is a sudden change of F-35B. jet capability to be retained and acquired in the years heart in the Treasury, defence funding will continue on Above: Tempest, the UK’s ahead, I am forced to envisage that, from an MoD an unacceptable hand to mouth short-term funding planned sixth generation perspective, most of the remaining Typhoon Tranche basis. This is no way to run defence. Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project. One capability (many have already been cannibalised For the UK defence industrial base, delayed for spares) will now be formally retired. publication of the IR would have very serious implications, particularly given the number of already Tempest – a reason to be cheerful delayed equipment procurement programme decisions held up by the IR review process. It seems On the plus side, while there is a possibility that it timely to remind the reader here that while pushing could move slightly to the right, I do not envisage defence programmes back may well save the MoD any change to the current strategy and level of initial cash outlay, it invariably pushes the cost up. The government support in respect of the ‘Team Tempest’ wider implications of delayed publication of IR could development – the UK’s planned next-generation have serious momentum in respect of jobs and skills Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project. retention. Typhoon is to a large extent seen as the enabler of UK combat air strategy and the need to continue A dead on arrival IR? investing in capability in specific areas, such as radar, complex weapons and mission management The dream was that, set against perceived threats, systems, is something that I hope will also have been IR would lay out the UK’s long-term ambitions and recognised in IR. To that end, Team Tempest and aspirations and how the nation sees its role within a Typhoon are inextricably linked. global context. This would be set against current and Despite the UK building a fleet of P-8 Maritime envisaged levels of threat and, in so doing, produce Patrol Aircraft, investing in Protector RPAS unmanned a co-ordinated, coherent and fully funded basis for capability to replace Reapers, very slowly building up future defence, security and foreign policy intent. the fleet of F-35B LIghtning II capability and investing The new world order, one in which the level of in RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Marham infrastructure, threat against western nations has clearly increased, all of which are very commendable, IR is unlikely to requires that the UK maintains a strong defence contain many positives. capability and deterrence strategy. NATO will rightly remain the overarching defence mechanism that we A stealthy reduction have and, with our leaving the EU, we must ensure that NATO remains strong. On the issue of whether the UK still intends to IR was never going to be perfect and cuts in procure 138 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft through conventional defence were always a given. However, the programme lifetime, I expect that IR will outline IR was supposed to break the mould, to plan for a reduction in proposed numbers of F-35 to be tomorrow, to think long rather than short term, to procured, although I do not expect to see any change properly recognise the level of threats against us and in the variant. While the hope had been that, after to ensure that whatever that was, it would be fully too many years of defence strategy being led by funded. Sadly, like others before it, it looks to have ‘affordability’, IR would change the basis of priority fallen at the Treasury hurdle.

RAeS Air Power Conference, 7-8 December 2020, Online, London DECEMBER 2020 25 GENERAL AVIATION Business aviation Gulfstream Aerospace

Making the case for business aviation BILL READ FRAeS reports on a recent RAeS online seminar which looked at how the business aviation community is working to provide vital transport services during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading the way in new aircraft technology and tackling the issue of diversity and inclusion. n common with the rest of the aviation adaptable. During this year’s pandemic crisis, instead industry, business aviation has had a tough of flying VVIP 737 charters, business jets have been year as demand for air travel slumped due to used for repatriation flights for governments. They the Covid-19 epidemic. On 29 September, the have also carried medical teams and been used for RAeS held its fourth annual seminar on the medical evacuation flights. New aircraft have been Ifuture of the business aviation sector which looked introduced into service which incorporate pioneering at three different topics: relating to the public image innovations which could benefit the rest of the of the industry, new environmentally-friendly modes aviation industry, such as clean cabin air and more of transport and how careers in business aviation comfortable cabins. should be made more attractive and diverse. Talking to the media Revitalising bizav’s image Focusing on how the positive aspects of business Chairing the event was Liz Moscrop, CEO of aviation could best be communicated to the media, GearUp Media, who admitted that business aviation Rohit Jaggi, aircraft and motorcycle columnist does not always have a very good press, often being for The Financial Times, looked at the different accused of only providing transport for the very rich. elements of how a media story is created. “You However, the sector does have some very positive need to consider the process of publishing a story,” stories to share. Business aviation is very agile and he explained. “You need to know both sides of the

26 AEROSPACE 27 DECEMBER 2020 “When the aerospace market comes back after the aerospace market comes back “When Dave Edwards FRAeS, CEO Air Charter of The EMEA Chris Cox, HR Specialist at Gulfstream Joel Davis, Director of Human Resources EMEA Diverse skills workforce and all these technological to achieve However, aviation companiesenvironmental goals, business with the right skills to tackle are going to need people can only be achieved ahead. This the challenges candidates, out to all the available by reaching gender – and to make workingregardless of race or third The attractive career. in business aviation an the question of addressed part of the conference a diverse skills force withouthow to attract and retain compromising quality. declaredCovid-19, we will need a diverse workforce,” in International Director of Women Muller, Karin of She described the challenge Corporate Aviation. a recipe:encouraging more women into aerospace as workforce, we need more create a more diverse “To ” she explained. but we need a willingness to change, – there are lots need to find a common platform We already in of opportunities to collaborate. Women attractthe industry have to be role models who will a diverse workforce, through mentoring, promoting careers and scholarships.” Association said that there was also a problem industry. because people were leaving the aerospace he asked. “How do “How do we get them back?” other exciting we attract young people? There’s things happening out there for careers. People gotmight not want to join business aviation – we’ve image. How do we get the message a challenging inout that there are great careers at the moment business aviation?” the company now had women working how explained he added that just getting However, on the shop floor. with the men and women from all ethnic backgrounds – right skills to do a job was not the only challenge welcome and be able to work without they had to feel negativity. experiencing Lives at Collins Aerospace, described how the Black Matter debate has raised awareness of race as an need to ask ourselves uncomfortable issue. “We we where we want to be? questions,” he said. “Are No. Are we as representative as we want to be? No. It is difficult to retain talent at present – we need if we want to bring to be more inclusive. However, organisations more ethnic people into our industry, need to incorporate diversity into the fabric of the of Covid-19, the way it operates. Despite the setback are We aerospace industry will recover eventually. creating the future of how people will move around the world. Aerospace is still a really interesting industry to be in.” Gulfstream has a contract to supply SAFs with SAFs has a contract to supply Gulfstream renewed in a contract that was Services, Fuel World this year. September emissions by 2 Charles Etter, who is in charge of Environmental who is in charge Charles Etter, “We need to keep on doing the job we’re doing,” need to keep on doing the “We Ben Griffiths, Head of Communication, 2Excel said Athar Husain Khan, Secretary-General of the said Athar Association (EBAA).European Business Aviation are trying to encourage sustainability and the “We EBAA The use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). is part of the EU for Europe Fuels Renewable (REFUEL) sets out a roadmap for the initiative which introduction of biofuels into the EU transport system have a duty to is this so important? We by 2030. Why need to have answers. the younger generation. We lots of regulatory and other pressures are There to reduce carbon European Green emissions, The aims to make the EUDeal (which carbon-neutral by 2050) has received a lot of media attention but needs input from industry.” at Gulfstream Strategy and Regulatory Affairs in 2009, business how, Aerospace, explained aviation manufacturers, service providers and operators jointly announced the Business Aviation aim of this Commitment on Climate Change. The initiative is to improve by 2% per year carbon-neutralbetween 2010 and 2020, achieve growth from 2020 and to halve CO Green power andDeveloping the themes of the environment conference, the second part of the future technology, turned its attention to sustainability and the development of electric-powered aircraft. journalistic divide – writing a story and getting itjournalistic divide – writing a story and getting youpublished. If you want to get a story published, have to think in advance about the conversation that are some basic components you will have. There story needs to be interesting as well as – each newsworthy.” how the best way to get stories explained Aviation, published was to build relationships with journalists. of how Airbus had taken him to He gave an example whosee a manufacturing facility and to meet people wereworked in it so that he understood what they about. 2050, relative to 2005. Etter said that, since 2015,

Albinati Aeronautics Good news Bad news In May Swiss private In May Swiss private aircraft operator Albinati Aeronautics came to the rescue of ten Russian children with retinal cancer who were unable to use commercial air transport to get to a hospital in Lausanne for treatment. Albinati flew two round trips children carrying five and their mothers using a Bombardier Challenger 604 paid for by Olympic ski Jean-Claude champion Killy. Business aviation has its share of negative stories. AEROSPACE Air traffic control and Covid-19 Pushing tin in a pandemic

As air traffic control marks 100 years since the first control tower, MARTYN CARTLEDGE looks at ATC operations in the UK and talks with NATS about its operations during Covid-19.

vital component of airline operations Manchester’s train set, we just get to push planes but tucked away in airport control around it!” towers and en route centres, invisible Manchester Airport Plc (part of the Manchester to air passengers, are the calm and Airports Group or MAG), has contracted with NATS quiet groups of men and women which is probably the largest operator in the country responsibleA for moving aircraft around the skies and and arguably the most well known. In addition to airport ramps. How do they do this and how has the ‘on airport operations’, it also has the Government near annihilation of air traffic, not only in the UK but contract to run the en route service for the whole of around the world, affected operations? the UK.

ATC in the UK and beyond Manchester’s facility

To attempt to answer these questions at both a local Entering the facility, it is almost like any office level and in the wider world, I visited the NATS centre building. The company logo is proudly displayed on at Manchester Airport. This comprised the visual the wall and doors lead off the corridors. For obvious control room (VCR) and the smaller area control reasons the tower, or VCR as it is more correctly room (ACR) situated in a new facility adjacent to the termed, is right at the top. airport’s main fire station. Once inside, the overriding impression is of cool Unlike most countries, ATC in the UK is split calmness. If you ignored the magnificent view of into two parts, that of en route and airfield with the the airfield out of the panoramic windows you could en route being a Government contract and airfields almost think this was any other office workplace being controlled with contracts awarded on a until, of course, you look at what is on the computer commercial basis. Some airfields/operators, such screens at each workstation. Below: Manchester Airport as Liverpool, Doncaster and Teesside, run their own Modern air traffic control systems differ from Tower (all photos via author ATC and employ their own controllers directly. Others, those used in the past, as what is seen on the unless marked otherwise). such as Manchester and in fact most, if not all of controllers’ screens is no longer the actual radar the major airfields in the UK, employ a contractor to supply ATC services in basically the same way as they would employ a contractor to clean the terminals. It was once described to me by a previous ATC Manager as: “It’s

28 AEROSPACE return with added information but a computer- are still used to keep tabs on what the aircraft should generated view based on those radar returns. In fact, it be doing and with whom; it is just that they are now is basically a much more complex version of the flight an editable image on a screen sent electronically tracking apps widely available now but one which from one controller to another containing information allows for quite a lot of manipulation and flexibility to such as call sign, flight number, departure and assist controllers in their work. The true radar screens destination airports, aircraft type, ETA, ETD and the are situated in the engineering department. SID or STAR. It is also used, as the name suggests, Manchester, however, is just a small part of a as a means of recording the progress of the flight system covering the country. Airspace around the whereby controllers will mark the strip relating to the world is divided into flight information regions (FIRs). instructions given to the flight crew. In the UK there are three: London (covering England Although the equipment mentioned so far is of and Wales), Scottish (Scotland and Northern Ireland) the utmost importance, it is by no means the only and Shanwick Oceanic, an area of over 700,000m2 items at the disposal of controllers at an airport. Each of the Atlantic Ocean. Within each of the FIRs there station is made up of an aerodrome traffic monitor is both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Areas (ATM) to monitor aircraft in the air approaching/ of controlled airspace have both a type and a class departing and flying in the vicinity of the airport. with the type defining the purpose of the airspace. There is also a surface movement radar (SMR) to These are air routes, where aircraft spend most time monitor aircraft and vehicles on the ground including in cruise. Airways are similar but can have aircraft runways, a meteorological station and an aerodrome climbing or descending once away from an airport. lighting panel. However, as one controller said, all this Control areas cover aircraft climbing and descending technology is useless without one, very important, into/out of an airport, generally up to a height of sensor – the ‘Mark 1 eyeball’. 4,000ft and, finally, control zones are areas around an airfield up to a certain height. This ensures that all Covid-19 aircraft in the vicinity of an airport with commercial operations are under ATC control. Yet the calm environment of an ATC facility has, At terminal or area control centres, controllers of course, become even quieter recently with the manage a portion of the total airspace within their country’s facilities handling traffic at only 10% of remit taking flights from, or passing them on to, the 2019 levels in April and May before rallying more controllers at the airport. recently back to 40%. However, you cannot just shut down air traffic A digital world. control, as you cannot take a laptop home with you and control what aircraft are left in the skies sitting Everything is now digital, even down to the flight on the couch in your pyjamas. Furthermore, the progress strips. These simple, yet successful, products companies providing ATC services have both the

DECEMBER 2020 29 AEROSPACE Air traffic control and Covid-19

same issues as any other organisation affected by the On the other hand, controllers, just like aircrew, pandemic, as well as some quite specific ones. For need to remain current and have a valid licence, as example, just like aircrew, air traffic control officers well as needing to keep up their ‘match fitness’ to (ATCOs) need to maintain currency and this is very avoid what Juliet Kennedy, NATS Operations Director, difficult with little amounts of traffic to control. There described as ‘skill fade’ – particularly relevant for are still aircraft flying, for example, freight, repatriation, those working in procedural and technical roles. With air ambulance, military and emergency services. These so few aircraft to work on, this has been a challenge flights still need the same service they have always which has required working with the UK Civil Aviation had. As designated key workers, ATC personnel are Authority (CAA) to address the issue; the first stage still required to work, bringing added pressures on being an extension period being applied to licensing members of staff, concerned like any requirements. other person with the risk of bringing the Working from home is, of course, virus back to their families. not possible for ATCOs but, for many of These points and social distancing those performing office/administration issues were highlighted by NATS CEO functions, this has now become a reality Martin Rolfe in a blog post in late ANY FUTURE and one that is unlikely to change for March: “NATS have had two priorities: SUPPORT some time to come. to look after our people and protect the PACKAGE FOR critical operation on which the country Funding shortfall still depends at a time like this. Doing AVIATION MUST this means asking our controllers and INCLUDE THE Like all organisations, NATS is no engineers – as designated key workers PAYMENT OF different in having to work on a reduced – to come into work, something that ATC CHARGES, income. Its en route company, NATS En exposes them and their families to WITH FURTHER Route Plc (NERL), earns money from additional risk. We are taking every step FUNDING MADE each flight it manages. This model and possible to protect them.” With airports the rather fixed of many costs changing the infrastructure they use, AVAILABLE IF does limit the action that the company new issues have arisen, such as airlines NEEDED TO can use, while also having to keep an using unfamiliar terminals and creating COVER THE eye on the future. the possibility of delays. NATS has been SHORTFALL NATS is also part of a wider working with its airport customers to IN REVENUES European industry initiative called the mitigate both these and other challenges. Network Operations Recovery Plan Clearly, the reduced traffic levels DUE TO THE which seeks to plan for a safe, efficient have required reduced staffing levels. REDUCTION IN and co-ordinated service during the On the one hand, this eases the process AIR TRAFFIC. anticipated recovery phase, whenever of social distancing but, just as in many that might happen. This work is being other environments, there is need for extra work to co-ordinated in the UK through the CAA’s Industry help maintain a ‘Covid secure’ work environment. Resilience Group. The Government has also Work stations are cleaned at handover and shift established a Restart & Recovery Group looking at change times. Manchester has also reverted to the wider implications for the UK aviation industry, single runway operations which, in turn, reduces the at which NATS is represented. Juliet Kennedy had number of staff required, helping distancing in small this to say about Government assistance: “Any environments such as VCRs. At large centres, like future support package for aviation must include the Swanwick and Prestwick, it is easier to maintain a payment of ATC charges, with further funding being level of social distancing. made available if needed to cover the shortfall in

30 AEROSPACE NATS

revenues due to the reduction in air traffic. Airspace different procedures safely. This is a truly exciting is a critical national infrastructure and must remain opportunity to see what we can do differently.” open and safe, not least for the continued flow of However, in the short term the issues are likely food, medicines and supplies.” to revolve around ensuring that there are enough controllers in those sectors facing increasing Opportunities? numbers of flights. Kennedy explains: “When traffic levels increase, we must ensure that we avoid the Does the current situation present any ‘frog in the pan’ scenario and we are working with our opportunities? According to Ian Jopson, Head of training, technical and competency teams to ensure Environmental and Community Affairs, it does: “The that we have robust strategies to get back to full ATC severe fall in air traffic presents a unique opportunity fitness so that our controllers remain fully able to to accelerate aviation decarbonisation, something manage traffic safely and efficiently as the volumes the UK aviation industry has long been committed increase.” to. NATS is looking to take advantage of the current low traffic levels to create its own ‘new normal’ This is now but what of the future? from a 70-year old airspace structure design which currently does not make the best use of new NATS feels that it can make its biggest contribution aircraft performance capabilities. The company is to a more sustainable future for flying by reshaping wanting to rebuild airspace structure in a carbon- the UK’s network of airways and flight paths – efficient way and to liaise with airlines and airports allowing for more direct routes, more continuous to reduce local air pollution and noise. NATS has descents and an end to airborne holding as we made a commitment through Sustainable Aviation know it today, all of which will greatly reduce CO2 to achieving net zero CO2 emissions for the industry emissions. With traffic levels set to remain lower than by 2050. expected over the next few years, there will never be a better time to make those kinds of complex Building back better and fundamental changes. Jopson continues: “One thing is sure, post-Covid-19 the climate crisis will still The overriding buzz words are to ‘build back better’ be here and aviation will remain in the spotlight. We and, as Juliet Kennedy put it: “This is a once-in-a- have a great opportunity to ensure that, when the generation opportunity. We will never have another traffic returns, it is to a more sustainable future where chance like this to change and adapt to deliver net zero is closer than we thought.” Juliet Kennedy lasting improvements and long term benefits.” adds: “Modernising airspace is still our customers’ Modernising airspace is a priority, not just on an top priority. We must keep the pressure on. We are environmental basis. It is very much customer-led, still hopeful that, with some funding assistance as Kennedy continues: “Our airline and airport from the Government, the wider Future Airspace customers expect us to take this opportunity to find Strategy Implementation (FASI) programme being co- ways of doing things differently. The pressures of ordinated by the Airspace Change Organising Group our normal operation – managing traffic in some of (ACOG) with NATS and the airports, can stay on track the world’s busiest and most congested airspace – for this decade.” always constrains our ability to try out new things These are challenging times for all of us. but we have the chance to do that now. So, we’re However, at NATS it seems that everything remains looking at how to make the most of the opportunity calm and organised, aircraft are directed smoothly opened up by the current uniquely low traffic levels into and out of Britain’s airspace and (unlike ATC sci- to investigate efficiency improvements and try out fi thriller 2:22), definitely, nobody has said: ‘Punch it.’

DECEMBER 2020 31 AIR TRANSPORT Smart passenger cabins Conscious cabins Cranfield University is inviting debate on how future intelligent aircraft cabin systems could be used to assist and care for airline passengers. BILL READ FRAeS analyses some of the proposed ideas and how passengers might react to them.

ou are a passenger of the future. Greener, safer and happier Boarding your green environmentally efficient aircraft, you take your place Among the many webinars at the FIA Connect in your ultra lightweight economy virtual Farnborough Air Show event in July was a seat – it is a little hard – and admire presentation on Future Cabin Design by Dr Thomas theY HD virtual scenery projected on the walls Budd from Cranfield University. of the windowless cabin. After take-off you are Using graphics created in Cranfield’s Passenger then free to enjoy the delights of the latest virtual Experience Laboratory at DARTeC (Digital Aviation reality IFE system. Putting on your headset and and Research Technology Centre), in which users can inserting your earplugs to reduce the noise from explore a 3D simulation of an aircraft cabin, Dr Budd other passengers, you use hand gestures to take showed how the aircraft cabin of the future might use you on a 3D tour of your destination followed by new and to revolutionise the an action film in which you are the hero – although onboard passenger experience and make air travel it is a little difficult to fight with your lightsaber more sustainable for future generations. The intelligent when are confined to your seat. Don’t get too warm aircraft cabin is part of a wider vision of creating a from your virtual exercise or the cabin body heat ‘conscious aircraft’ which would monitor its own health detectors may think you have an infection and and predict when components and systems need to be trigger an alarm. You use the IFE system to order replaced. Dr Budd explained how the purpose of the a cooling drink but don’t have too many or the future cabin design demonstration was to spark interest machine will tell the cabin crew. Time to talk to a and debate into what the future cabin experience may fellow passenger elsewhere in the aircraft but don’t (or should) look like in the future. worry – you won’t disturb your neighbours as they Dr Budd explained how a flight represents a won’t be able to hear you. Then relax and enjoy the critical part of a traveller’s door-to-door journey and quietness of the cabin as you look out through the a good travel experience can make a refreshing and side of the aircraft and see the passing landscape energising start to a holiday or business trip, whereas – augmented with extra geographical information a stressful one makes the flight an experience that – and on how much better your passenger has to be ‘endured rather than enjoyed’. flight experience is now than it was in the past. The presentation focused on how different This vision of the future could one day be reality advances in technology could be used in the aircraft as new technology enables the introduction of cabin to monitor passengers, partly with the intention intelligent aircraft cabins which can interact with of enhancing their enjoyment of the flight and partly passengers. However, would these new systems with a wider focus to improve the overall safety of all improve the passenger experience or detract from the passengers aboard the aircraft. There was also a it? drive to reduce the environmental impact of aviation.

Cabin with a soul – You think you’ve got problems? You Watch out – Conscious aircraft, caring for both the aircraft and you. should try being a cabin.

32 AEROSPACE The intelligent cabin doctor will see screening information? Would it be a member of you now cabin staff or would the data also be shared with the airline? Would the passenger health information Following the Covid-19 crisis, more attention is being be deleted after the flight or would it be recorded to paid to passenger well-being and the prevention use in big data surveys or reused for future flights? of future pandemics through bio-safety measures. Where would this data be kept and would it be Consequently, there is an urgent need to address the secure? Would passengers be allowed to see their role of cabin design to minimise the risk of airborne own data under GDPR rules? Would passengers be pathogens and other biological hazards. Technology refused flights because they triggered an alarm in a will have a key role to play in addressing these previous flight? challenges. Dr Budd described how three key factors to No smoking or drinking minimising passenger fatigue and the effects of jet lag are: to be well-hydrated, to stay active and to get Returning to Dr Budd’s presentation, he described rest. By using a network of strategically positioned how, working alongside the traditional cabin control sensors, the smart or conscious cabin can monitor a systems which supply air supply, thermal control passenger’s physiological state throughout a flight, and cabin pressurisation, ultra-sensitive chemical including body temperature, pulse and hydration sensors could also be used to detect the presence levels. This can also be useful for health screening of unwanted particles, including smoke or exhaust purposes. If desired, passengers could choose to gases, specific physiological markers (for example if receive automatic alerts and notifications with advice someone has been drinking too much alcohol) and on their requirements in advance of actual need. pathogens (to help prevent the spread of viruses or infectious diseases). If predetermined levels or certain Big airline is watching you substances were exceeded, notifications could be sent to cabin crew to alert them to a potential problem. Accepting the invitation to comment on the proposals, it could be said that the introduction of an Alcoholics not so anonymous ‘intelligent cabin’ monitoring passengers’ vital signs might not necessarily be welcomed by passengers, Once again, this proposal to use the aircraft systems to some of whom might not be comfortable with remotely monitor passengers could lead to problems. increased intrusion into their privacy. While monitoring Smoke detectors are already fitted in areas such as the temperatures of individual passengers would the aircraft toilets which makes sense from a safety seem to be a wise move as long as Covid-19 is point of point, as these are areas where passengers around, there are also other issues which need to cannot be seen by cabin crew. However, it is more be addressed. Could passengers choose not to be debatable whether it is necessary to use technology to monitored? Would there be circumstances where detect drunken passengers when the job could just as passengers were unaware that their health signs easily be done by a member of cabin crew. were being remotely scrutinised in this way? If the sensors are triggered by body heat, might there be a Legal implications risk of the sensors being triggered accidently or even giving a false reading? What might happen if the The question might also be asked as to the cabin heating malfunctions or the aircraft is stuck on legal implications of using technology to monitor a taxiway and the passengers get hot and thirsty? passengers which might be construed as interfering There is also the question of data privacy. Who with their personal privacy? Some passengers are All images below courtesy of Cranfield University. on the aircraft would get to see the passenger health already very keen to post derogatory messages on

VR headset – Don’t interrupt me, I’m in Touchless surfaces – Look but don’t touch. Hands-free gesture controls are Sound pockets – I’m in my personal sound my own virtual world! already being used for smart home devices, games and cars. pocket and I’m not listening to you. DECEMBER 2020 33 AIR TRANSPORT Smart passenger cabins

social media or sue airlines for alleged misdemeanours and the introduction of intelligent cabin monitoring might serve only to increase this trend.

Enhanced IFE

Another key focus of future aircraft cabins, according to Dr Budd, is that of in-flight entertainment (IFE) which will remain an important part of the travel experience, especially for long-haul travel. Advances in VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality) and XR (cross-reality) immersive technologies are likely to represent key trends. With virtual reality capabilities integrated into the IFE system with an appropriate headset, it could be possible for passengers to virtually transport themselves to somewhere else entirely. As well as watching films, passengers could also experience the sights and sounds of their destination before they arrive, plan their onward

journeys or explore the destinations they are currently Airbus flying over with an immersive 360º experience.

Confined reality to whether such a system would be suitable for a Future cabins as imagined civil aircraft with hundreds of passengers. While it by Airbus. While the idea of using virtual reality to escape from would be easy for a machine to detect a gesture the reality of long-distance air transport sounds from a single military pilot, could an IFE system also promising in theory, the actual experience may be less detect an individual signal from a passenger sitting than optimal. VR headsets can create the illusion of in close proximity to other passengers where you are being in a different world if you can walk about and bunched so tightly together that you have limited arm interact with things but would this work when you are movement? confined to an aircraft seat? Also, to use the systems, Some gesture control devices rely on the user passengers would have to wear a VR headset which wearing a special glove or wristband to recognise would run the risk of them being unaware of what a signal while others use movement alone. In an was happening in the aircraft cabin space if another aircraft cabin would the zone of control need to be passenger wanted to get out into the aisle or the cabin to be very narrow to avoid conflicting signals from staff want to serve meals. Being enclosed in a VR other passengers? What happens, for example, if headset would also not improve the travel experience people push past in the aisle or a passenger sitting of passengers who do not enjoy the experience of in your row needs to get past to go to the toilet – sitting in the restricted space of an aircraft. would this reset your IFE system? Supposing you move your hands for any other reason than IFE Touchless control control or the passenger in front puts their seat IT WOULD back? Or if you accidently change someone else’s BE POSSIBLE There is also the issue of control. Currently, seat- IFE settings? It could be a recipe for air rage. back IFE systems are operated using touch controls TO REDUCE – which is not such a good idea in a world with Keeping the noise down AIRCRAFT WEIGHT Covid-19 where the surfaces could become infected AND IMPROVE and spread between passengers. If Covid-19 is here Unwanted noise in the cabin can often make it AERODYNAMIC to stay, then future IFE systems are being proposed difficult for passengers to get some rest. Dr Budd EFFICIENCY BY which incorporate touchless controls operated by explained how acoustic comfort for passengers could HAVING AIRCRAFT simple motion or hand gestures which would remove be improved by modifying, redirecting or dispersing the need for passengers to come into contact with cabin sounds. Passively, this can be achieved using WITHOUT each other indirectly. traditional noise-cancelling means, including insulating EXTERIOR materials and integrated topography patterns WINDOWS, WHICH A recipe for air rage? inside cabin walls. Active noise cancelling can also WOULD PROJECT be achieved by using individual ear buds. A more REAL TIME HD Gesture control is already used for applications for advanced manipulation of passengers’ individual sound personal home devices, TVs, computer games and car environment may also be delivered by using individual IMAGES OF THE security and is being developed for pilots of military sound-shaping blocks, a novel technology that allows OUTSIDE VIEW aircraft who need fast control of a manoeuvring the creation of sound pockets – audio holograms ONTO THE SIDE aircraft. However, the question might be asked as in free space. Using technology called distributed OF THE CABIN

34 AEROSPACE Airbus Weight savings

Weight savings could also be achieved by using advanced lightweight materials, such as aerogels, sound insulation, heat insulation, metal foams and lattices and other meta-materials that offer unique properties by combining the effects of topology and microscopic structure. These materials could be used in any cabin product, including seats and insulation panels. The risk with these designs is that the desire for airlines to reduce weight may come at the expense of passenger comfort. A lightweight seat is often also an uncomfortable seat.

Cabins with a soul

Dr Budd concluded by describing the development of future intelligent cabin systems as a ‘true revolution in the way passengers experience air travel which could be achieved if cabins were fitted with a ‘soul’ – the ability to feel, understand and acoustic conversation shielding, it may also be possible adapt to different groups of passengers aboard at in the future for passengers to talk to each other any given time’. without being overheard by those sitting next to them. The aim would be to ‘provide passengers with a more personal, tailored in-flight experience to No seat is safe from interruption achieve the highest level of passenger satisfaction’. With the future systems integrated with other Using distributed acoustic conversation shielding onboard systems, such as IFE, for enhanced in aircraft might also lead to issues conflicting with passenger well being, further capabilities for the personal privacy. Other questions might be whether state, trait and needs of individual passengers it would cost to use such a service – as it does with could also be introduced, including improved using mobile phones in flight. Would cabin crew services for passengers with unseen disabilities. be able to listen in to conversations? In today’s security-conscious world, might there be pressure Flying nearer to heaven or hell? from government agencies to monitor and record passenger conversations? But would this objective be achieved? What seems to have been omitted from this vision of Windowless aircraft? the future is that not all passengers want to talk to other passengers or to have their temperatures Turning to how technology could also assist in making monitored. Some passengers might just want to be aircraft more environmentally friendly, Dr Budd left alone. Not all passengers would have their flight described how it would be possible to reduce aircraft experience enhanced with virtual reality IFE and weight and improve aerodynamic efficiency by having might prefer to use their own laptops, read a book aircraft without exterior windows which would project or to sleep? For passengers with unseen disabilities, real time HD images of the outside view onto the what would an intelligent cabin system provide side of the cabin – a solution that has already been that would not be better dealt with by human cabin proposed for supersonic business jets and blended crew? wing commercial aircraft designs. But would anyone want to fly in one? Certainly not Stimulating debate passengers who suffer from claustrophobia and feel uncomfortable even in an aircraft cabin with windows. Dr Budd is welcoming comments on the pros and It would also not be popular with agoraphobics who cons of the intelligent cabin proposals. This invitation suffer anxiety in situations where there is no means of to debate is a welcome move so that developers escape or with passengers afraid of heights who find of systems which interact with passengers can themselves sitting next to the edge of a great height. avoid the risk of implementing new technology for At least with a window you get a choice of whether or technology’s sake. Human elements need to be not to look out of it. There are also safety implications taken into consideration, as well as issues of privacy in that there would be no natural light if the cabin lights and confidentiality. New technology can do amazing fail or if light is needed for an emergency evacuation. things but don’t forget the human in the machine.

DECEMBER 2020 35 AIR TRANSPORT Post-Covid-19 airline business Covid-19: an opportunity to reset and restructure for airlines?

PAUL ZALKIN, restructuring and insolvency partner at Quantuma LLP, and PETER DAVIES FRAeS, Chief Executive of Airline Management Group, share their thoughts on the fundamental shift in the structure of the sector and consider the impact of measures to support aviation businesses and their supply chains as the industry start to emerge from lockdown. here are many adjectives describing the It is implausible to believe that the issues that current Covid-19 situation within the bedevilled these failing airlines pre-Covid-19 will aviation sector and specifically the airline simply go away. The issues ultimately result in poor industry. One word that is not often used financial performance and are key to the reasons is predictable. Yet, pre-Covid-19, the behind this. In our experience with airline turnarounds Tindustry suffered significant losses over many years. there is consistency in the reasons for such financial Despite the sector being profitable in 2018, fewer failure, including: than 20% of International Air Transport Association ● Sustained losses (IATA) airlines made a positive contribution towards such profitability. These losses manifested themselves ● A distinct lack of management through a myriad of reasons but today they all ● Lack of coherent decision making clamber on the Covid-19 bandwagon, conveniently ● Ineffective implementation forgetting that, for many airlines, their position was dire before January this year. ● A demotivated workforce If senior management was the architect Tough times of failure, then often middle management exacerbated it. While there are always individuals It begs the question as to why the shareholders and within management who provide beacons of MANAGEMENT boards think that post-Covid-19, providing they can hope, they are unfortunately the exception. Many TEAMS ARE solve their immediate liquidity issues, these airlines fail to realise that the prime competition is, in can bounce back to a new normality which will be fact, themselves, instead of blaming others for PARTICULARLY vastly different from what they experienced pre- their demise. Predictable? Yes. Foreseeable? GOOD AT Covid-19. The truth is they will not. Apart from the No. Management teams are particularly good at BURYING THEIR obvious gearing problems, they will face a reduced burying their heads in the sand and adding cement. HEADS IN THE market size due to bio-security regulations and The current crisis provides us all in the aviation an economic downturn and, no doubt, restrictive industry with a unique opportunity to reset the dials and SAND AND regulations, affecting consumer demand. create the change needed for a future with financial ADDING CEMENT.

36 AEROSPACE and environmental responsibility, understanding that: money and not generating any revenues, eventually you’re going to lose all your reserves.”. ● Revenue needs to be ahead of cost. Sunday Times, Business, 28 June 2020. ● Customers expect an honest value proposition Financial restructuring and insolvency specialists Increasingly with a demonstrable focus on will attest to the fact that Walsh’s truism applies to environmental sustainability THERE IS LITTLE companies large and small across all sectors. The first ● A brand position that sings the values and ethos DOUBT THAT A principles of business success are universal, and so ● A work force that represents and demonstrates SIGNIFICANT simple, they sound almost flippant: those values, in each and every customer encounter PROPORTION ● Maintain a positive balance sheet ● Finally, and crucially, a management team that OF THE ASSETS ● Deliver profits creates the environment that allows the workforce DEPLOYED BY to perform to those values ● Generate free cashflow THE GLOBAL While understanding these objectives is incredibly Profit and loss, cashflow statements and AIRLINE, AVIATION easy, working out how to get there is often incredibly balance sheets are all vital signs of performance AND AEROSPACE hard, which is why the brightest minds, with the best of and are necessary to provide stakeholder SECTORS WILL intentions, and the right resources, do not always get confidence. However, the numbers are collated after it right. Now, more than ever, for the turnaround and the event. It is management’s responsibility to pilot SURVIVE THIS recovery of the global airline, aviation and aerospace the organisation internally and externally, as well as CRISIS AND GO sectors to be effective, national governments, to effectively implement change. ON TO THRIVE regulators, governing bodies and corporations There’s no doubt that, post-Covid-19, we will still THROUGH must first collaborate in order to establish stable see millions of people wishing to travel, yet, the size, REORGANISATION, foundations upon which businesses can be rebuilt. shape and feel of the industry will be different. There Governments across the world have already will be a market and, as always, the market will have CONSOLIDATION, implemented programs of economic stimuli on a a choice. It is therefore critical for shareholders of REDUNDANCY, scale comparable to the Marshall Plan of 1948, used poorly managed airlines, both government and private, ACQUISITION, to rebuild Europe after WW2. In addition, in the G7 to take an honest look at themselves, reassess their DIVESTMENT AND and other free market economies, there have been position and, with courage, reset the dials for their various policy responses designed to facilitate an future. INVESTMENT. easing of tension between debtors and creditors, all in the somewhat vain hope the ‘market’ will resolve Teetering on the edge of insolvency the working capital consequences of the coronavirus, such that normal service can resume. Of course, For industries whose lifeblood is the interaction and some governments – notably in the US, France movement of customers in close proximity, be it in Germany, Sweden, Italy and Norway – have resorted a restaurant, in an airport, or at 38,000ft inside the to the use of direct financial stimulus to prop up ailing cabin of an airliner, Covid-19 has caused a crisis airlines and aerospace companies via the provision of whose knock-on effect within the supply chain has state aid. In many ways these measures would appear been unparalleled. The world’s aerospace and aviation to be little more than a means of kicking the can industries rely upon commercial, military and private down the road. aircraft being in the air as much as possible, so the grounding of commercial airline fleets, in particular, State to the rescue? has been devastating. That said, there is little doubt that a significant The role of state aid in business has confounded proportion of the assets deployed by the global economists since the days of Adam Smith but airline, aviation and aerospace sectors will survive it seems difficult to argue that a nation’s scarce this crisis and go on to thrive through reorganisation, resources would be best used in propping up an consolidation, redundancy, acquisition, divestment and airline (for example) which was in financial difficulty investment. The same cannot be said for many of the before the Covid-19 pandemic. An easier argument organisations that currently own or fund those assets. is that the state should protect workers from the Corporate failures are inevitable, and, at the time of consequence of corporate failure and help create writing, there are several global airlines and related the right conditions for assets to operate effectively, businesses in the supply chain teetering at the edge or for them to be redeployed in a manner which of insolvency. matches nascent demand and takes account of the A fundamental issue which will dictate which prevailing economic conditions. organisations will recover from the consequences Of course, this is not an argument that of the Covid-19 pandemic was summed up by Willie shareholders would favour. However, if they are Walsh, the outgoing CEO of International Airlines unwilling to invest capital themselves to rescue Group, in an interview over the summer: their otherwise worthless equity, they should not be “It doesn’t matter how strong your balance sheet surprised if they do not garner much sympathy from was when you came into this. If you’re spending taxpayers if asking them to do so.

DECEMBER 2020 37 AEROSPACE High altitude pseudo-satellites Get ready for 5G from the stratosphere Stratospheroic Platforms

A new UK company has emerged from stealth mode to unveil a plan for a hydrogen-fuel cell-powered high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) UAV with the biggest-ever civil antenna to bring ultra-fast 5G connectivity from the skies. TIM ROBINSON FRAeS reports.

n 19 October a secretive Cambridge- Bombardier Belfast, Thales, NATS, TWI and Cranfield based UK start-up, Stratospheric Aerospace Solutions. “The number of partners Platforms, went public and revealed means that it was getting increasingly difficult to that it had conducted a flight trial with keep it under wraps,” jokes Richard Deakin, CEO of its partner and shareholder, Germany’s Stratospheric Platforms and a former head of the ODeutsche Telekom, to demonstrate connectivity for a UK’s NATS air traffic service provider. ‘4G/5G mast in the sky’. The test was the world’s first successful trial of high-speed LTE/4G data and voice HAPS – benefits and challenges connectivity using a remotely-piloted aerial system (RPAS) and integrated into a terrestrial phone and The idea of HAPS (high-altitude pseudo-satellites) data network. The trial, using a high-altitude Grob platforms has been growing in popularity for a while 520 aircraft acting as a surrogate RPAS at 45,000ft now, with the UK emerging as a leading centre over Bavaria, was a proof of concept for an ambitious for this development. HAPS UAVs, cruising above and highly innovative project to deliver high-speed weather and commercial air traffic at 60-70,000ft broadband and data from the sky. promise satellite-like capability but at a fraction of The company, which was formed in 2014, is the cost of spacecraft and can ‘dwell’ over areas currently developing a hydrogen-fuel cell-powered or regions for extended periods of time, to deliver HAPS UAV, with a wingspan similar to that of a jumbo persistent surveillance or connectivity. Airbus’ Zephyr, jet (60m), that would fly at 60,000ft to provide ultra- for example, still holds the world aeronautical record fast connectivity for nine-day periods at a time, with a for absolute endurance at 26 days. BAE Systems’ payload of 140kg. PHASA-35 meanwhile is chasing this record and As well as Deutsch Telekom, Stratospheric with the goal of staying aloft for an entire year. Platforms has some other well-known names involved Meanwhile, over in the US, AeroVironment recently as partners, such as Scaled Composites, QinetiQ, flew its SunGlider HAPS, in a 20hr test flight. Along

38 AEROSPACE AeroVironment

Top: On 21 September, with ’s Loon Balloons and ThalesAleniaSpace’s weight of payloads and sensors, although advances in AeroVironment conducted Stratobus, which use lighter-than-air platforms, HAPS sensor miniaturisation are increasing capabilities. a 20 hour test flight of its is becoming an exciting new frontier in aerospace. Says Deakin: “The problem with literally all the solar-powered SunGlider HAPS over New Mexico. Unlike satellites, HAPS can also be reflown and existing HAPs is they are all without exception Left: Stratospheric refitted with new sensors and technology. It is thus powered by solar power. That just doesn’t deliver Platforms’ visualisation of no wonder that HAPS is attracting attention for anywhere near the sort of power that you need for a its 60m wingspan HAPS. both civil and military roles in communications relay, serious telecoms application”. Before: What if you used surveillance, disaster relief and ISR roles. The super-lightweight design of the solar- the same principles to link However, all these platforms above use solar powered HAPS also makes for another limitation radio telescopes – but power. This, in theory, makes for (almost) infinite – getting up to operational altitude above any wind pointed the antennae flight once airborne but also brings challenges. First, and weather. Airbus has already found this out the downwards? solar panels only produce a tiny amount of power hard way, with crashes of its Zephyr air vehicle in (approximately 200w for Zephyr) and this means Australia. Weather limits for launch and recovery thus that payloads are limited. The super-lightweight becomes a key operational constraint for these class construction of these UAVs also limits the size and of featherweight UAVs. Solar power makes for limitations in operating

Square Kilometre Array Square these platforms in extreme northern or southern latitudes, where the slant angle of sunshine delivers even less power. Meanwhile, on the ground, the forthcoming rollout of 5G broadband connectivity has brought its own challenges – namely the amount of masts that will be needed to bring this ultra-high broadband connectivity. One estimate for the UK is that an additional 400,000 5G masts may be needed to provide the entire British Isles with this next generation connectivity. This not only brings in its own problems of granting permission and unsightly masts ruining scenic spots but also for telecoms companies, the cost of renting land for these masts starts to mount up. Moving the 5G mast to the sky thus starts to make economic sense. Deutsche Telekom, for example, estimates its land rental costs for masts will drop from €6bn to €1bn by switching to 5G connectivity delivered by HAPS.

Enter Stratospheric Platforms

These factors above then made for a compelling case for a new entrant in the HAPS sector to deliver a more powerful and capable UAV optimised for the telecoms market. Enter the UK’s Stratospheric Platforms. Interestingly, the concept for Stratospheric Platforms breakthrough in connectivity comes from , or more specifically radio astronomy. In radio astronomy, scientists can now link far-away telescopes to ‘virtually’ increase the size of the

DECEMBER 2020 39 AEROSPACE High altitude pseudo-satellites

dish antenna to one that can be hundreds, or even In addition, the flat antenna is electronically thousands, of miles across. This vastly increases steered so that the beam footprint can follow borders, the resolution of the instruments and has allowed coastlines or be dynamically adjusted in-flight. It could, scientists to probe the far reaches of the Universe to for example, add additional bandwidth for sporting or detect black holes and other interstellar objects. national events with spot beams, or be used to ‘follow’ However, the same concept can also be turned commuters providing extra bandwidth to the suburbs upside down with antennae pointing at the Earth to at the start and end of every day. Flying over the create virtual ‘giant’ steerable data relay footprints – ocean, its electrically-steered beam could theoretically by linking antennae on multiple air vehicles together follow cruise ships to give passengers high-speed to create one super-massive ‘virtual’ communications broadband in the middle of the Atlantic. antenna. This patented concept of using a synthetic Steerable beams are nothing new for the latest inverse aperture array to do telecoms work or co- generation of telecoms satellites but the altitude that operative aerial inter-antenna beamforming (CAIB) HAPS flies makes a big difference in guaranteeing provides; “…massive amounts more data” than a super-fast connectivity speeds. The ultra-low latency single antenna on its own and allows the creation of 1m/s 5G from a HAPS telecoms platform, of individual cells for each user, says Stratospheric’s compared to 25-30m/s connecting with a satellite CEO Deakin. Thus, the greater the antenna resolution, in low Earth orbit, has other advantages apart from the higher the potential data rates per km2. CAIB is making sure amusing cat videos on TikTok do not the ultimate goal of Stratospheric Platforms and it is buffer. The predicted 5G ‘internet of things’ (IoT) pursuing a number of critical technologies to unlock which promises to connect smart fridges to cars etc this revolutionary ‘Super 5G mast in the sky’. has some applications where ultra-fast connectivity is not just ‘nice to have’ but could be safety critical, such as autonomous cars, urban air mobility vehicles Stratospheric Platforms or cargo drones. This sort of high-speed broadband platform, with its ability to provide 5G without needing masts or substantial ground infrastructure, may be key in fully unlocking this telecoms and IoT revolution. Stratospheric Platforms Hydrogen power Left: The 3m2 antenna will Stratospheric Platforms has also chosen hydrogen be the world’s biggest fuel cells rather than solar power for its UAV. This commercial airborne antenna. gives shorter endurance than platforms such as Zephyr and PHASA-35 but at the benefit of Bottom: A render of the still unnamed HAPS air far greater power available – with 20kW just for vehicle currently under the antenna, compared to solar HAPS 200w development at Scaled (of which some must go to provide propulsion). Composites in Mojave, Using hydrogen fuel cells driving two propellers, California. the UAV will be able to carry a payload of 140kg. In comparison, the Zephyr S can only carry a payload of 5kg. Hydrogen power also allows for 24/7 operations night and day without needing to ‘power-down’ into reduced operations mode, as solar-powered UAVs need to do during the night, as well as flights at extreme northern and southern latitudes. The biggest commercial antenna in The UAV will use liquid hydrogen, as it is one- the sky third of the volume of gaseous volume, keeping the fuselage slim and cutting down on drag. It also can Each air vehicle will boast a giant 3m x 3m aerial be stored at a lower pressure (4bar compared to on the underside of the aircraft – the biggest-ever 700bar), making for a lighter and structurally simpler commercial aerospace antenna to ever fly and container. However, the catch is that the liquid the size of a large garden patio umbrella – “it's a hydrogen will need to be stored at -240ºC. Here too, beast” says Deakin. This flat antenna, with 2,048 Stratospheric Platforms is working on still-secret transceivers, is equivalent to over 200 terrestrial special insulated fuel tank technology which it says 5G masts and allows direct connectivity of phones, will allow it to use liquid hydrogen. To cope with the tablets and laptops to the 5G network with blisteringly thin air density at 60,000ft, the propulsion system will fast data speeds and latency of only 1m/s. At the also use a four-stage compressor with frictionless UAV's operational altitude of 60,000ft, this translates air bearings derived from motorsport technology. into a footprint of 140km in diameter. The hydrogen fuel cell and compressor system Stratospheric Platforms

40 AEROSPACE has already been tested at simulated stratospheric altitudes, generating up to 49kW of power across a range of flight levels.

Although Stratospheric decided on hydrogen Deutsche Telekom early on, the reveal of its plans right now is particularly timely, given related news from ZeroAvia and Airbus to pursue hydrogen as a green zero-carbon fuel source. The EU itself is keen to massively scale up the production of hydrogen and create a hydrogen fuel infrastructure. This high-level push for decarbonisation of aviation will thus ease and simplify Stratospheric’s passage to regular operations as hydrogen fuel infrastructure starts to be rolled out at airports.

on a Grob 540, Deakin says that the company has yet to decide which platform may be used to test fly this larger antenna and observes that its partner, Scaled Composites, also has access to high-altitude demonstrator aircraft. First flight of the UAV prototype is scheduled for 2022 and the system could be in service by 2024. Stratospheric says it is interested in ‘creating the ecosystem’ for this platform and technology, licensing it for others, rather than operating it themselves as a service provider. There is also no doubt that, while the civil telecoms application is the company’s primary focus, The air vehicle itself Top: The Grob 520 was the 24/7 capabilities, high power and payload and used as a surrogate UAV potentially using several together to create bigger A production prototype of the, as yet unnamed, in the test with Deutsche and more powerful ‘virtual antenna’, could also have Telekom. Note laptop-sized V-tailed 60m wingspan UAV is now in development other applications in disaster relief, border patrol or aerials under rear fuselage. at Scaled Composites in the US. Responsible for for military customers. Could, for example, this ‘virtual Above: The composite Voyager, White Knight 2 and Stratolaunch’s ‘Roc’ V-tailed air vehicle, which array’ produce a new system capable of detecting aircraft, Scaled is probably one of the world’s leading has the wingspan of a 747 at long range or a highly accurate experts in lightweight but ultra-strong carbon-fibre is being built by Scaled next-gen SIGINT/ELINT network? Says Deakin: aircraft designs. This construction means that Composites. “We’ve built, designed, marketed and developed this Stratrospheric’s UAV will be far more robust and very much for telecoms applications but, when you resilient to wind and weather than the solar-powered have a platform at that height, with that power, for class of HAPS. that endurance, there are quite a few interesting Crucially, it is also planned to be civil certificated things that you could do with it other than just from the start, allowing it to fly and operate through telecoms. There has been a lot of interest from controlled airspace using standard operating communities outside of the civil telecoms world.” procedures – a challenge that Deakin, with his experience as head of UK’s NATS, is well aware Summary of. Up at 60-62,000ft, though, the platform will be above weather and other civil air traffic. Deakin Stratospheric Platforms’ UAV may not break any notes that the European Commission is conscious records for endurance, compared to the ultra- of the growing commercial interest in HAPS and persistent solar-powered HAPS that is aiming expects that Eurocontrol and others will come for months aloft. However, its nine day loiter time together to develop standardised rules for civil may be the sweet spot for persistence in many HAPS airspace operations in the near future. roles and is more than offset by its staggering antenna capabilities and electric power reserves. Next steps Stratospheric’s phase two goal, to link individual UAVs together to create a giant ‘synthetic With a productionised prototype already in antenna’ with CAIB, would be a truly breakthrough development by Scaled Composites, the next steps technology in airborne data communications and will involve testing the giant 3m x 3m 5G antenna. may well be a key enabler to bring the benefits of While the most recent test used a 4G/LTE antenna 5G to everyone.

DECEMBER 2020 41 RAeS Air Power Conference

Senior leaders from industry, military and academia come together to engage in discussion on the factors that will shape the way Air Forces are constituted, prepared for and exercised in delivering Air Power in the period between now and 2040 and beyond.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Air Marshal Andrew Turner CBE FRAeS , Deputy Commander, Royal Air Force

The Route to Air Lieutenant General Christian Badia , Director-General Power 2040 for Planning, Federal Ministry of Defence, Germany

DATE Mark Goldsack CBE , Director UK Defence and Security 7 - 8 December 2020 Exports, Department for International Trade TIME Richard Franklin , Managing Director, Airbus Defence 13:30 - 18:00 and Space in the UK BOOK NOW www.aerosociety. Michael Christie , Director, Combat Air Acquisition com/AP20 Programme at BAE Systems – Air

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Connect and interact with speakers and ask questions live Engage and network with other professionals from across the world Meet sponsors at virtual exhibitor booths Access content post-event to continue your professional development For the full virtual conference programme and further details on what to expect visit aerosociety.com/VCP Afterburner www.aerosociety.com

The International Space Station (ISS) after the solar panels were installed in December 2000. Expedition 1 was the first long-duration stay on the ISS. The crew stayed aboard the station for 136 days, from November 2000 to March 2001, beginning an uninterrupted human presence on the station which continues today. Right: The Expedition 1 crew from left: Cosmonaut Yuri P Gidzenko, Soyuz commander; astronaut William M Shepherd, mission commander; and cosmonaut Sergei K Krikalev, flight engineer.NASA.

44 Message from RAeS 46 Book Reviews 54 RAeS Diary – President The Early Development of the Aviation Industry, Find out what online events are happening. Manned Landing and Return, The Aerospace “Such a meeting was very timely given the Business, Strategic Air Command in the UK, 56 Elections complexity of future air and space vehicle design, Systems Engineering for Aerospace and Pilot the potential requirement to enable safe air traffic Selection. control for urban air mobility, and the need for 57 Obituary radical new air-vehicle designs and powerplant to enable zero-emission flight.” 50 New Member Spotlight Norman Roberts CEng FRAeS. 52 The birth of a Society journal – Chief Executive Following his passing of the editorial baton to Dr “After months of variable gloom, the emergence of Robert Hopkins, outgoing editor, Dr Kit Mitchell, a viable coronavirus vaccine provides a cause for gives the background to the 2011 launch of the optimism. Doubtless there is a long way to go but Journal of Aeronautical History. the recognition that there is an eventual solution out there will assist our sectors in solidifying their planning.”

DECEMBER 2020 43

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 3 16/11/2020 17:16:54 Message from RAeS OUR PRESIDENT

Prof Jonathan Cooper The last month has been busy for me, having Technologies to Enable the Future Aerospace attended some of the many Society events that Industries’. Run over two afternoons, presentations have been organised through the digital medium. were given from a wide range of experts Named Lectures are run by both the main Society representing the aviation and space industries, and the local Branches to honour some of the catapults, academia, manufacturing and air traffic major contributors to the aviation and aerospace control followed by a number of panel discussions. communities. For the local Branches these are Such a meeting was very timely given the complexity often the keynote events of their year. I have been of future air and space vehicle design, the potential pleased to attend recent Named Lectures organised requirement to enable safe air traffic control for by the (Collar), Cranfield (Handley Page) and urban air mobility, and the need for radical new Montreal (Assad Kotaite) Branches. I recommend air-vehicle designs and powerplant to enable that you keep an eye on the Society’s events diary zero-emission flight. Although it is clear that digital (www.aerosociety.com/events-calendar) to technologies are going to be a key tool to facilitate find some lectures that you might wish to attend these very challenging goals, one outcome was which pre-Covid would have been impossible. clear that it is not obvious what the best approach As mentioned several times in this column, part to take would be. Several speakers pointed out that of the Society’s mission is to attract and support a success in using the likes of Artificial Intelligence diverse and active membership both nationally and and machine learning is not guaranteed and that the SEVERAL internationally. Over the past few years, a lot of effort community should be cautious in their application SPEAKERS has been devoted towards increasing our activities and expectations. POINTED OUT internationally, especially in China, a country that is It has been business as usual for most of the having an ever-greater influence on the aerospace Societies activities, however, some of our major THAT SUCCESS and space industries. Following on from my visit to events in the calendar such as the Medals and IN USING China last year, it is a pleasure to report that the Awards evening, have had to be organised as THE LIKES OF RAeS China Representative Office held its opening a digital offering. It is satisfying that we are still ceremony in Shanghai. I look forward to seeing able to recognise recent notable achievements ARTIFICIAL how our activities in China develop. Many thanks by individuals and teams across the aviation and INTELLIGENCE must go to Tony Shen and Michael Galea; without aerospace communities. AND MACHINE their drive and energy I doubt whether the China Finally, as we approach the end of the year and LEARNING Representative Office would have been formed. a Christmas Season that is going to be unlike any in I was very happy to chair this year’s President’s living memory, I would like to take this opportunity to IS NOT Conference which was held over from earlier in wish you all and your loved ones a safe and restful GUARANTEED the year. The focus was on the use of ‘Digital Christmas break and all the very best for the New Year.

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Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 4 17/11/2020 12:11 OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Sir Brian Burridge ● After months of variable gloom, the emergence of US emerged as winners with Imperial College in a viable coronavirus vaccine provides a cause for second place and a team from Hungary coming optimism. Doubtless there is a long way to go but third. More information on the finalists will follow the recognition that there is an eventual solution in the next issue of AEROSPACE. In addition, out there will assist our sectors in solidifying their during November, the President appeared by planning. Coincidentally, the recent Eurocontrol video among a phalanx of dignitaries at the formal future traffic forecasts for 2020-2024 (see News launch ceremony in Shanghai of the RAeS China p 6) which take a pragmatic scenario-based Representative Office. Then on 17 December, the approach based on vaccination availability still Singapore Branch, which was originally formed in point to 2024 as the earliest predicted return to 1953, will be relaunched at a virtual event hosted 2019 passenger-levels in Europe. By historical by the University of Glasgow in Singapore at comparison, the global financial crisis saw the which the President will deliver a lecture. The UK loss of 600,000 flights in Europe with a recovery Branches have also done a great job in adapting period of eight years: Covid-19 has seen the loss to the virtual environment to deliver lectures and of more than six million flights. continue their invaluable work in reaching into ● Perhaps perversely, the resulting difficult local communities. As powerful advocates of employment environment has seen an uptick in our sectors, this serves to stimulate continuing applications to the Society and for registration. interest in aviation and aerospace and, perhaps In consultation with the Engineering Council, more importantly in these difficult times, provides we expanded our virtual assessment capacity comradeship and a sense of belonging. to meet this increased load without sacrificing ● Of note, 12 December marks the fifth anniversary either standards or robust process. More broadly, of the signing of the Paris Climate Change the launch of Aeroversity, our new learning Agreement. It was thus heartening to see that, at management system and CPD recording the Society’s recent Climate Change Conference, platform, and also our new member-to-member there was no slackening of effort or investment mentoring platform will be of great help to this among airlines and manufacturers in addressing community. In addition, our industry partners have the climate challenge. As a conference, it ticked been anxious to avoid delays to our delivery of all the boxes for exciting and exclusive content apprenticeship assessments at a time when many with the new CEO of British Airways, Sean Doyle, of our in-company assessors were furloughed. making his debut appearance alongside his CEO Again, in concert with our regulator, we conducted colleagues from easyJet, One World Alliance and virtual vivas for our apprentices and trained our the Air Transport Action Group. Climate change own assessors thus avoiding any interruption. This remains a key topic for the Society, particularly outcome is a great credit to our staff and network as we chart our way to the globally significant of volunteer assessors. UK-hosted COP26 to be held in Glasgow in ● Meanwhile, our annual recruitment fair, Careers November 2021. in Aerospace & Aviation LIVE 2020, went online ● A reminder that nominations for the Council AS A with over 900 visitors taking part across a range are open. This is a unique opportunity for you CONFERENCE, of experience levels. Of note, the inclusion of the to contribute to the Society and represent the IT TICKED ALL space sector generated much interest. Our thanks views of the membership. You can access further go to Boeing who funded the virtual platform and information on how to submit your nomination THE BOXES FOR to the Careers team in charting the way through on www.aerosociety.com/council. There EXCITING AND unknown territory. Diversity is an important factor are also opportunities for independent positions EXCLUSIVE in attracting young people into our sectors, on our Board of Trustees, Audit Committee and so it was heartening that our podcast on the Finance Committee. Details are on the website CONTENT WITH subject, with Council Member Kerissa Khan, Governance page. THE NEW CEO reached over 600 listeners. We also celebrated ● Finally, at the end of this tumultuous year, let OF BRITISH National Mentoring Day in October with a special me recognise that we could not have navigated AIRWAYS, SEAN webinar to mark reaching 400 users of the ALTA through it successfully without the tireless efforts Mentoring Platform which continues to grow. DOYLE, MAKING of the staff and the extensive and compelling ● Indications of our global reach were evident in the contribution of our volunteers. With the prospect HIS DEBUT General Aviation Group’s closely fought Aviation of the sunlit uplands emerging in the year ahead, APPEARANCE Design Competition. The team from Berkeley for now, might I wish you all Seasons Greetings.

DECEMBER 2020 45

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 5 16/11/2020 17:16:57 Book Reviews THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

Entrepreneurs of the Sky design skills, impatience with conventional career patterns, adventurous hobbies, a proclivity for By Malcolm Abbott and technical pursuits, limited managerial experience’ Jill Bamforth and the need to be both ‘starters and runners’. Whatever such qualities and activities the conclusion Routledge, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, reached was that in spite of the aviation industry’s OX14 4RN, UK. 2019. vii; 211pp. £120. [20% environment of rapidly expanding and dwindling discount available to RAeS members via demand the essential element for entrepreneurs www.crcpress.com using AKQ07 promotion code]. was their innovative flair. Somewhat less convincing ISBN 978-1-138-36874-3. are the considerations about whether the growth of the drone industry might pose similar problems This is an ambitious and unashamedly didactic book. for today’s entrepreneurs who will need past While it covers a wide canvas, its core concern adaptability and flexibility to survive – something, in is with the remarkable group of individuals who fairness, that seems reasonably obvious. worked as aeronautical entrepreneurs in the US, UK Geoffrey de Havilland, For the most part the authors demonstrate a and France from 1903-1945. 1882-1965. RAeS (NAL). sure historical grasp, although one feels bound to Readers are challenged from the outset over wonder whether in fact the American Liberty engine ways of coming to entrepreneurial decisions that was produced so close to the end of WW1 was from ‘causation thinking’ to ‘effectuation logic really ‘the most important of all engines produced by that allows individuals to work with others within the allied nations in WW1’ when it came too late to affordable loss and acceptance risk parameters to The book goes make a significant contribution and was actually a exploit contingencies’. Following consideration of on to question rehash of Henry Royce’s Eagle engine. entrepreneurs operating within the context of the whether in Essentially the book provides its readers with global aviation industry, the kernel of the book – fact there a wide range of valuable pen pictures about the occupying some 90 pages – is contained within a historic achievements of entrepreneurs from compilation of concise biographical case studies are certain leading aviation nations and proposes methods containing portraits of some of the most important common of evaluating them. How far, of course, such skills individual entrepreneurs, many of which, while elements that can be transferred to a contemporary context must necessarily succinct, are genuinely thought-provoking. distinguish always remain open to debate. The book goes on to question whether in fact there are certain common elements that distinguish entrepreneurial Peter Reese entrepreneurial behaviour, namely ‘mechanical and behaviour AMRAeS

NATIONAL AEROSPACE LIBRARY

As we close for press, the National Aerospace Library intends to re-open on 3 December to member and non-member visitors on Wednesdays and Thursdays. To book a visit please go to the NAL website. Online services remain available so you can continue to browse the catalogue and download e-books and e-journals as well as contact our expert Librarian for advice and enquiries. E [email protected] NAL www.aerosociety.com/nal Catalogue www.aerosociety.com/catalogue Film Archive www.aerosociety.com/movies e-library www.aerosociety.com/elibrary

46 AEROSPACE

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 6 16/11/2020 17:16:58 MANNED LUNAR LANDING AND RETURN Project MALLAR – a Forgotten Apogee Books Story of Apollo By Robert Godwin

Apogee Books, Burlington, ON. 2019. Distributed by Gazelle Book Services Ltd, White Cross Mills, Hightown, Lancaster LA1 4XS, UK. 131pp. Illustrated. £21.99. ISBN 978-1-926837-42-0.

This is another of the semi-academic books published by Apogee. It follows the story of the of the Lunar Orbital Rendezvous (LOR) technique that This is an enabled to land on the Moon in July 1969. excellent The author, a serial writer of spaceflight related books, takes the story from the early condensed Lau they were pursuing the idea of the lunar orbital ideas and techniques proposed by pioneers like book, only 130 rendezvous technique as the best way to accomplish Tsiolkovsky, Oberth, Goddard and von Braun odd pages a manned lunar landing and return mission. through the post-war theoretical work of the British long, which This is an excellent condensed book, only 130 Interplanetary Society with publications by Harry odd pages long, which sheds light on the little known Ross and Smith. sheds light on influence of Chance Vought on the Apollo missions, But the real unsung heroes of this story the little known and is well worth the read. But don’t expect to take it of MALLAR dating back to the 1950s are the influence of all in at one go. If I have a quibble, it is the number of engineers of the Chance Vought Company from Chance Vought characters, meetings, conferences and reports noted Texas. Better known as an aerospace company in the text, which makes it hard to digest. producing such famous fighters as the F-8 on the Apollo Crusader, by 1959 under the guidance of a Conrad missions John Becklake THE AEROSPACE BUSINESS Airbus Management and Technology (Chapters 7-14) the author offers a detailed view of the management of numerous functional processes. By Wesley Spreen These include production, global supply chains, outsourcing and co-ordination of network partners, Routledge, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon quality assurance, MRO and marketing. OX14 4RN, UK. 2019. xiv; 372pp. Illustrated. The book appears to be designed with the £44.99. [20% discount available to RAeS members enthusiastic aerospace novice in mind but is equally via www.crcpress.com using AKQ07 promotion applicable for UK undergraduate management code]. ISBN 978-0-367-28058-1. RAeS members and postgraduate courses, especially as it retains can access an e-Book edition of this title online via an international feel throughout, despite its main the National Aerospace Library’s e-Book service focus on the US sector. Having said that, it is light www.aerosociety.com/ebooks on theory (JIT and lean supply chains) and hasn’t really explored some of the key questions of our day, ‘A technological crown jewel’ is how the author It is a highly including the current economic challenges (ie EU Wesley Preen describes the aerospace sector. readable book, economic upheavals), and the subsequent resilience This meaty tome certainly explores not just the full of examples of the sector. evolving technological and engineering knowledge In sum, the author successfully describes the and challenges underpinning the design and which cut evolution and natural dynamic nature of the global manufacture of aircraft today but provides an across the aerospace industry over time, highlighting new impressive and detailed account of the many many functional challenges which it must address in both technology overarching and fundamental issues within the and customer requirements as it faces a changing industry. These include its economic influence, its and strategic environmental reality. complex structure, workforce and labour relations, themes It is a highly readable book, full of examples through to legislation, regulation, governmental which cut across the many functional and strategic support and, finally, international co-operation. themes. These add to the clarity of the complexities A key juncture in the book is the chapter on Dr Susan Grant of the processes and challenges this mammoth ‘Accounting and Finance’. From this point onwards Brunel University sector has faced.

DECEMBER 2020 47

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 7 16/11/2020 17:16:59 - Book Reviews STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND IN THE UK

SAC Operations 1946-1992 By Robert Hopkins III

Hikoki Publications, 1a Ringway Trading Estate, Shawdowmoss Road, Manchester M22 5LH, UK. 2019. 224pp. Illustrated. £29.95. ISBN 978-1-90210-956-5.

The basing of major units of Strategic Air Command (SAC) in the UK during the post-WW2 period is the theme of this comprehensive survey of an important aspect of the history of the . The book traces these operations from the immediate post war period when a close personal relationship developed between ACM Tedder and Above: A General Dynamics over land or sea.’ Units based in the UK were used Gen Spaatz in response to the expectation that, in F-111 of the USAF about to for various types of intelligence gathering including the absence of a deterrent, western Europe would refuel over the North Sea. communications, electronic and signals intelligence. USAF. be quickly overrun by Soviet and forces. Missions were also flown to obtain intelligence on SAC planners realised that the optimum strategy was Russian nuclear weapons testing. Various types to base a proportion of its bomber force in the United of aircraft were used for these missions including Kingdom. Following discrete visits by senior USAF Lockheed U-2s and SR-71 Blackbirds and conversions officers, including Curtis LeMay (the USAF Chief of of B-47s and C-135s. The UK bases occupied by SAC Staff) in 1946, a gradual process commenced in 1948 were also used to support some important conflicts which led to an agreement to establish four main SAC including missions to Iraq and Libya, in the latter case bases in the UK. using General Dynamics F-111s from Lakenheath and The relationship between the UK and US Upper Heyford. governments gave rise to serious tensions and Although SAC was synonymous with heavy raised concerns that the vulnerability of the UK to bombers, in addition to its reconnaissance and tanker Soviet nuclear attack would be exacerbated by the fleets, it also had responsibility for escort fighters, heavy presence of large numbers of SAC bombers within transport and air rescue assets. By the late 1950s, SAC its shores. The decision to launch an attack using US was becoming increasingly involved in the deployment forces based in the UK was also a serious concern – of ballistic missiles including the Douglas Thor IRBM. effectively the UK was to be consulted but the final Given that the range of the Thor was limited to order to commence the attack was still to be taken in 1,500nm, bases in Europe and elsewhere around the Washington. periphery of the were essential to meet Initially the SAC units in the UK were equipped their targeting commitments. Proposals were therefore with the Boeing B-29 with some visits from the put forward to base Thor missiles in the UK and four Convair B-36. However, from 1953 onwards, the bases were established. Launch control was under joint piston-engined bombers were progressively replaced US/UK authority. Developments in missile technology by the impressive Boeing B-47 Stratojet which formed (including increased missile range) rendered the Thor part of SAC’s ‘Reflex’ policy enabling one third of SAC’s deployment obsolete and after only one alert – during forces to be airborne within a 15-minute reaction time. the Cuban missile crisis – all the weapons were The first jet bombers lacked range and SAC initially removed by September 1962. used the KC-97 (essentially a converted Stratocruiser) This book provides a very comprehensive survey of to refuel its bombers. Later this led to the introduction the operations of SAC in the UK over a critical phase of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker which remains of the Cold War. For the enthusiast, it contains a wealth a familiar feature on some of the bases used by the The book of detail about specific units, basing policy and aircraft USAF in the UK to the present day. provides a fitting types. It is profusely illustrated with many photographs, As a result of President Kennedy’s ClearWater tribute to the airfield plans and details of specific aircraft based in Initiative in 1965 and the consequent reduction in US the UK. It will particularly appeal to enthusiasts who forces based in Europe, the deployment of B-47s to men and women value such detail rather than seeking an overview of the the UK came to an end but four bases were upgraded who participated political and strategic climate in which SAC operated. to enable them to be used by the B-52 which formed in the single The book provides a fitting tribute to the men and the core of SAC’s bomber force. In addition to its most powerful women who participated in the single most powerful offensive capability, SAC was also responsible for organisation in military history. strategic reconnaissance and its mission included organisation in the ‘conduct of maximum range reconnaissance military history Philip Riley FRAeS

48 AEROSPACE

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 8 16/11/2020 17:16:59 -

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FOR AEROSPACE By Richard Sheng and Sheng leaves it to the last and largest of his chapters to address fundamentals of the discipline. Academic Press, 125 London Wall, London EC2Y Generic systems topics of safety, design for test and 5AS, UK. 2019. xxi; 221pp. £115. ISBN 978-012- maintainability are addressed alongside sections on 816458-7. electrical, mechanical and software design. There are also specific aerospace sections dealing with topics Books that have both the breadth required for of aerodynamics, airworthiness, flight crew interface, systems engineering and the depth for practical regulatory requirements, loads and structures. application are rare, and so there is certainly a niche Surprisingly for a book on systems engineering, there for a book focused on aerospace from an author is little or no coverage of requirements management, that has over 30 years of experience with major architectural design or the role of simulation; there companies such as Boeing and COMAC. Sheng is no explicit mention of the ATA-100 chapters and advocates a process-based approach to systems The Boeing CST-100 model-based systems engineering, a current hot engineering, describing what is required from an Starliner capsule. Boeing. topic of systems engineering, is not mentioned. aircraft programme from beginning to end. Throughout the book, the author conveys his The first main chapter entitled ‘Systems considerable experience in a very readable way. The Engineering and Integration’ covers project Throughout content often reflects the author’s own opinion and management aspects of schedule, work breakdown the book, this might have benefited from substantiation using structure and integration management. Subsequent independent sources from other authors. A strength chapters – entitled ‘Managing the Plan and the author of this book is the author’s experience but not Execute Phases’, ‘Managing for High Performance’, conveys his recognising relevant sources and the recent advances ‘Integration Phase and Test Strategy’ and ‘Managing considerable in systems engineering could be seen as a weakness. People, Product and Process (P3) Implementation’ – experience in a continue in a similar vein Dr Tim Mackley Head of Aerospace Integration Arguably the early chapters are more about very readable Research Centre and Senior Lecturer in System project management than systems engineering way Engineering, Cranfield University

PILOT SELECTION

Psychological Principles and expats, astronauts) and other issues (eg retirement). Practice I particularly appreciated the balanced and well-referenced explanations of the major selection Edited by Robert Bor et al techniques, the illustrative case studies and suitably critical consideration of strengths and limitations (eg CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 6000 Broken for the predictive power of personality assessment). Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL Of particular value are the detailed descriptions of 33487-2742, USA. 2019. Distributed by Taylor current practices from specialist selection centres & Francis Group, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, and airlines. Reviews of psychometric techniques Abingdon OX14 4RN, UK. xv; 430pp. £88.99. [20% have been presented effectively as concise discount available to RAeS members via www. accounts which highlight key principles without crcpress.com using AKQ07 promotion code]. ISBN This is a very drowning the reader in validation statistics. 978-1-138-58873-8. comprehensive This is a very comprehensive treatment of the Pilot selection methods are a key component of flight treatment of topic and refreshing to see chapters on less obvious, safety, as this new volume ably demonstrates. Robert but essential, topics such as report writing, giving Bor and his co-editors have excelled in recruiting an the topic and feedback to applicants and ethics. The chapters on impressive array of experts who write with authority refreshing to air traffic controllers and maintenance technicians, on pilot selection across 31 chapters. Methods to see chapters on included ‘to broaden the appeal of the book’ seem select-in desirable characteristics/competencies and extraneous in an otherwise well-focused volume. to select-out candidates with unsuitable attributes less obvious, Given the scientific basis of the subject, I are both covered in detail. The Germanwings but essential, found this to be a surprisingly accessible volume, murder-suicide crash in 2015 and ensuing regulatory topics written clearly for the non-specialist. It should guidance are discussed in several chapters covering be recommended reading for pilots involved in pilots’ mental health assessment. selection, aviation psychologists, medical examiners, The book is divided into five parts that deal with human factors specialists and human resource the selection process, specific types of assessments Rhona Flin practitioners. Given the quality of the contributions, (eg mental health, substance abuse), selection Professor of Industrial this would be a valuable source of expertise for and training, special groups (eg helicopter pilots, Psychology anyone selecting staff for safety-critical positions.

DECEMBER 2020 49

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 9 16/11/2020 17:17:01 -

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Jack Coleman MRAeS, 27 easy decision to join, as the membership allows Location: Stamford, UK me to do both. It is also a great way to regularly keep up to date on the latest aerospace news, NEW FOR MEMBERS IN 2020 Job Title: Snr Mechanical Design Engineer. innovations, technologies, and emerging industries. What inspired you into aerospace? I visited air I enjoy reading about other industry sectors which shows with my father and grew up close to an old I am yet to work within, in particular the push to USAF base, hence I was exposed to aircraft from greener, suburban air travel, and the growing use an early age. After learning basic engineering of unmanned aerial vehicles. Download the New AEROSPACE APP principles from my grandfather, via two-stroke What do you hope to get out of your motorbike engines, I put the two together and membership? I hope to attend more events spent two weeks working on the Harrier as part and grow my knowledge base; I believe that of my secondary school work experience. Along learning is a constant process. I hope to achieve with maths being my strongest subject at school, I my Chartership status and look to use the knew then that it was this industry I wanted to be membership to support, guide, and possibly mentor a part of. the next generation of members. One day, I would What is the best thing about your current like to be on the other side of the lectern speaking role? The team. I have the privilege of working at a lecture or conference. within a team of excellent engineers, who are What three items would you take with you both knowledgeable and transparent in both their to the space station? Assuming the necessities work ethic and practise. To be able to absorb as are covered, I would take my phone (dual use as a well as share ideas from others while delivering camera and video call friends and family), a diary/ the task(s) required (despite the remote working journal, and a pen. challenges!) allows for great personal and team development. I am fortunate to get exposure What’s your favourite aircraft and why? The to the myriad of departments that make up the Harrier, not just for its ingenuity and unique design, delivery of an airborne intelligence surveillance but it was the first aircraft that caught my eye as a and reconnaissance fleet of aircraft for the MoD. child and (as explained before) really sparked my passion for engineering. What made you join the Royal Aeronautical Society? Upon completing my BSc and MSc Who is your biggest inspiration? My inspiration degrees, I wanted to continue to broaden my would be my family, especially my father. understanding of not just my area of expertise, Piece of advice for someone looking to enter Available for your phone and tablet but the wider aerospace industry. With one eye your field? Do not be afraid to throw yourself on my Chartership status and another on the in at the deep end. A great working attitude and AEROSPACE is now available as an app! fantastic opportunities to both absorb and share motivation often succeed over the required hard AEROSPACE has continued to grow in stature and influence as the informative and expert source of experience within the RAeS community, it was an skills, as these are easier to train. aviation, aerospace and space news, opinion and analysis. Revitalised from a design refresh, the clearer sharper magazine now presents key stories in a crisp stylish setting now seamlessly integrated into a convenient app. The Aeronautical Journal, Notifications when a new issue is available ... free to all members from January 2021! Download and browse past issues from the previous two years

ISSN 2059-6464

We have exciting news for members concerning The Aeronautical Journal. THE AERONAUTICAL JOURNAL Download issues to read offline The Aeronautical Journal will be made available, free of charge, to all members of the Society from January THE Search function 2021. If you currently subscribe to The Aeronautical Journal you will not have your subscription renewed, November 2020 Volume 124 Number 1280 AERONAUTICAL JOURNAL instead you will be invited, with all other members, to access the current issue, recent Journals and its entire Covering all aspects of aerospace Includes the twice weekly AEROSPACE Insight blog 123-year back catalogue online without charge. All members will have access to the Journal’s dedicated Volume 124 Number 1280 December 2020 website via a link from aerosociety.com/aerojournal Available on Android and Apple devices. In addition to this we will also no longer offer The Aeronautical Journal in printed form. Search AEROSPACE on Google Play or iTunes, Download the app and log in using your aerosociety.com The Aeronautical Journal’s simple to use website presents its latest monthly edition on the first day of member portal username and password. publication. New Individual research papers are available prior to formal publication in the First View area

where the earliest sight of papers can keep you one step ahead. Additionally, all scientific, technical and Cambridge The AEROSPACE App is the one-stop destination to the latest news in the fast-moving academic book reviews published in the Journal from recent years can be found here. Special collections world of aerospace from The Royal Aeronautical Society. Download a copy now! of themed papers are also showcased on the site. These collections are grouped in subjects including; Sustainable aviation, Smart aircraft, ISABE and ICAS conferences, expanded adaptations of past RAeS Lanchester Lectures and RAeS Written Paper prize winners. [email protected] +44 (0)20 7670 4300 @aerosociety If you have any questions or queries, then please contact [email protected]

50 AEROSPACE

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Available for your phone and tablet AEROSPACE is now available as an app! AEROSPACE has continued to grow in stature and influence as the informative and expert source of aviation, aerospace and space news, opinion and analysis. Revitalised from a design refresh, the clearer sharper magazine now presents key stories in a crisp stylish setting now seamlessly integrated into a convenient app. Notifications when a new issue is available Download and browse past issues from the previous two years Download issues to read offline Search function Includes the twice weekly AEROSPACE Insight blog Available on Android and Apple devices. Search AEROSPACE on Google Play or iTunes, Download the app and log in using your aerosociety.com member portal username and password. The AEROSPACE App is the one-stop destination to the latest news in the fast-moving world of aerospace from The Royal Aeronautical Society. Download a copy now!

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DECEMBER 2020 51

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Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 11 16/11/2020 17:17:02 JOURNAL OF AERONAUTICAL HISTORY The birth of a Society journal As I happily hand over the editorial role to my successor, Dr Robert Hopkins, I am writing an account of how the Journal of Aeronautical History got started. From the start of my involvement in the Historical Group there were occasional discussions on the problem of publishing papers on historical topics through the Society. Although The Aeronautical Journal did publish a historical paper from time to time, it was not generally open to such papers. In 2009, John Ackroyd was providing examples of major papers that were not being A Hawker Siddeley lands automatically in low visability conditions during development published, purely because they were historical. trials of the automatic landing system. The very first Journal of Aeronautical History paper, by Sir John Charnley, described the contributions of UK aircraft and avionics manufacturers, the Civil On 15 October 2009 I wrote to Professor Peter Aviation Authority and the Air Registration Board to the subsequent development and airworthiness Bearman, the Editor-in-Chief of The Aeronautical certification of the multichannel systems employed on the Trident.RAeS (NAL). Journal, about this. The first and last paragraphs were: “For some time there has been concern in the RAeS Professional) or for payment. Whether it is Historical Group that The Aeronautical Journal was produced 2, 3 or 4 times a year, or occasionally unwilling to publish historical material, although when warranted by material, is debatable. I think from time to time it did so. Some time ago I asked, the format should be as close to The Aeronautical at a Specialist Group Chairman’s meeting, that Journal as possible. historical matters be added to the list of topics in I would hope that authors could produce The Aeronautical Journal on which papers would be material in electronic form formatted for publication, considered, but checking recently, I see that this has so that there should be very little effort for editing not been done. and preparing material for publication. I or Keith ... will need to put together a team to decide editorial I would therefore be most grateful if you could let policy (subject to agreement from Peter Bearman, me know what the position is, so that the Historical Chris Male and Keith Hayward), assign submissions Group and the Specialist Group Chairmen can for peer review, assess the reviews and decide the proceed with the full and correct knowledge of the content of issues. Depending on the quality of the current position.” material provided by the authors, the team might Sir Brian Burridge, then Chairman of the even be able to assemble the journal to go onto the Learned Society Board (LSB), replied that, with website but I would need advice on the software Professor Bearman’s agreement, he would put this used and how this is done. At this stage I don’t know on the agenda for the LSB on 4 November 2009. how many people I could rope in and how much

In February 2010 Prof Keith Hayward, the Airship R101 at its mooring effort I could ask them to provide. Society’s Head of Research, wrote to tell me the mast at Cardington for the first Incidentally, if the publication is wholly electronic, LSB had approved in principle the launch of a time on 12 October 1929. I would be keen to make sure that papers could be historical journal, and to start a detailed discussion Three papers have concerned downloaded, saved and printed. I know this dilutes of the form it should take. From the start there was the R101. RAeS (NAL). income but it is maddening to have publications agreement that it should mimic, as far as possible, that you cannot even print (Ken Owen’s Science the style and character of The Aeronautical Journal. Museum seminar on is like that; it Throughout this process, Professor Bearman and contains wonderful material but you have to open the staff of the Society, could not have been more the proceedings online to read anything and can’t helpful. copy figures to study in detail or use for slides etc).” On 4 May I wrote to Prof Bearman, John Professor Bearman welcomed this proposal the Ackroyd, Prof Hayward and others, setting out my same day and raised the question of the title of the concept of the historical publication. An extract is: publication. I proposed The Journal of Aeronautical “My concept of the publication is as a peer History to the Committee of the Historical Group, reviewed electronic journal available on the who agreed unanimously. So, to a considerable Society’s website, either in the members section extent the publications birthday, or perhaps (like Aerospace International and The Aerospace conception, was 4 May 2010.

52 AEROSPACE

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 12 16/11/2020 17:17:04 Volume/year No of papers Page totals In July 2010 the aims and scope for the 1/2011 6 181 publication were drafted and agreed. Members 2/2012 7 146 of the Committee of the Historical Group agreed 3/2013 3 161 to join the Editorial Board as reviewers. The plan 4/2014 3 160 emerged to have one continuous issue per year, to 5/2015 5 289 which papers would be added as they appeared. Bill 6/2016 3 86 Tyack, who had become Chairman of the LSB, wrote 7/2017 4 54 on 27 July supporting the proposal and convening 8/2018 9 299 a meeting before the LSB on 25 August to discuss 9/2019 5 178 the publication in detail. 10/2020 Probably 7 About 280 The proposed Journal of Aeronautical History Above: Part of the cover Table 1. Statistics for the Journal of Aeronautical History. was discussed at a meeting of the Specialist Group of Frank Whittle’s thesis Chairmen on 10 August 2010 and a paper was then showing his mark. written defining the proposal to the Learned Society but several have provided special moments of Board. The LSB decided to ask for the Council’s delight. One was Fred Starr’s paper 2019/01 ‘A agreement in principle to the establishment of the Commentary on future developments in aircraft Journal of Aeronautical History. design – A Thesis by Officer Cadet Frank Whittle, In September 2010 I wrote a paper estimating Cranwell 1928’. This includes a facsimile of the the cost to the Society of the Journal of Aeronautical original thesis, handwritten in an RAF notebook. History as £5,000 pa, to cover server space and Shortly before I finalised the paper, Fred sent me 1/10 staff member. At that time the plan was to a scanned copy of the cover of the notebook. I charge to download papers. Also, in September included this as a nostalgic item. When I cleaned the Editorial Board membership was increased by up the image of the cover using Photoshop, the invitations to Ian Debenham (Australia) and Philippe mark the thesis had been given was quite clear: Jung (France). I am grateful for their willingness to 30/30. The reviewer, an American academic, did serve, and the contributions they have made over a really thorough job on the mathematics in the the years. thesis. He picked up a point at which Whittle made At the beginning of November 2010, Council an algebraic mistake, which fortunately disappeared gave formal permission to establish the Journal of after the equation concerned was differentiated. Aeronautical History. As I already had a number Another, and quite different, special moment of papers offered for publication, I started the was reading Ralph Lorenz’s paper 2012/02 process of peer review of these for Volume 1, to be ‘Edmond Halley’s Aeronautical Calculations on published in 2011. the Feasibility of Manned Flight in 1691’. I had no In the end it was decided to allow free idea that the astronomer Halley was interested in downloads of papers, as a low-cost way to support aeronautics and it was amazing to find that he had the Society’s charitable objective “to facilitate the not only calculated the wing semi-span for a flying exchange of information and ideas among the machine capable of carrying a man but his answer, members of the Society and others”. This is what I 12ft at a speed of about 33ft/s, is quite comparable had always hoped would be permitted. with that of modern hang-gliders. Since the launch of the Journal the number of After ten years I am both delighted and papers has varied considerably year to year (Table pleasantly surprised at the way the Journal has 1). The decision to operate on the basis of a single matured and become an established publication. I issue a year, added to incrementally as papers want to thank all those who have helped achieve became available, has proved absolutely correct. It this; the Editorial Board as reviewers and advisers, takes most of the pressure off the Editor and has the Society staff and the authors who have provided enabled us to cope with lean years with few papers. the papers that have made the journal what it is. As an online publication with no length limit for I am delighted to be passing the Editorial role papers, papers have ranged from four to 124 pages. to Robert Hopkins. He is a professional historian, Although the majority of authors are British, which I am not, and has already introduced an increasing number come from outside the measures that will improve the Journal. I will remain UK; US, Ireland, Latvia, Brazil (with contributions The latest paper to be added on the Editorial Board as Editor Emeritus and hope from five other South American countries) and to the Journal concerns to continue to help as a reviewer by cleaning figures Westland attack helicopter Australia to date. And recently a website www. derivatives of the Lynx. and by formatting some papers for publication. VintageAeroWriter.com has included the Journal Journal of Aeronautical History papers may in a list of quality aviation history journals. be viewed and downloaded for free from: www. Early on, Frank Armstrong suggested we ensure aerosociety.com/news-expertise/journals- that hard copy of the Journal is kept at National papers/journal-of-aeronautical-history/ Aerospace Library. Tony Pilmer has organised this and had the Journal bound in two-year volumes. Dr Kit Mitchell It would be invidious to name a favourite paper FRAeS

DECEMBER 2020 53

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 13 16/11/2020 17:17:04 Diary

Above: Lockheed Martin 7-8 December F-35B Lightning II during RAeS Air Power Conference trials with HMS Queen Online conference Elizabeth in September 2018. Lockheed Martin. 8 December Right: Grounded KLM Boeing Ionic Propulsion 777-200ERs parked on Jason Knight Schiphol runway during the Solent Branch online lecture Covid-19 pandemic. Ikreis.

8 December The Future of the UK’s Combat Air Sector: How do we get from here to there? Andy Johnston, Defence Policy Advisor, ADS Stevenage Branch online lecture

9 December The Annual Aerospace Medicine Symposium Online conference celebrating women in aviation and space medicine

9 December F-35 Carrier Testing John Slater, Solar HALE Flight Test Manager, BAE Systems – Warton Preston Branch online lecture

15 December The state of the aerospace industry in an era of Covid-19 Robert Thomson, Partner at Roland Berger Gloucester and Cheltenham Branch online lecture

9 February Lecture from Reaction Engines Limited (REL) Robin Davies, Reaction Engines Stevenage Branch online lecture

For further information and booking: www.aerosociety.com/events-calendar/

54 AEROSPACE

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 14 16/11/2020 17:17:06 Renew your membership for 2021

At the Royal Aeronautical Society we understand How to renew: the significant challenges and changes posed by Online: Log in to your account on the Society’s COVID-19 and the impact this has had across website to pay at: our membership and the industry. We have adapted our range of membership www.aerosociety.com/login benefits to suit a digital environment. In 2020 we If you do not have an account, you can register have launched an AEROSPACE magazine app, for an online account and pay your subscription expanded our e-library resources and launched a straight away. virtual conference platform enabling us to hold a variety of events online. Telephone: To pay over the telephone by debit or credit card call the Subscriptions Team between Through renewing your membership at the 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on: Society, you will continue to have access to a range of exclusive membership benefits, +44 (0)20 7670 4315 / 4304 developed to ensure you have access to the resources, support and tools, whenever you BACS Transfer: Payment can be made via BACS require them. transfer to the Society’s bank account, quoting your membership number. Bank details are as Get involved with specialist groups and your local follows: branch by updating your preferences. Log in to your account on the Society’s website to ensure Bank: HSBC plc your preferences are up to date: Sort Code: 40-05-22 Account No: 01564641 www.aerosociety.com/login BIC/Swift: HBUKGB4B You should now have received an email or letter IBAN: GB89HBUK40052201564641 which provides further information on how to Direct Debit: You can set up a direct debit renew your membership with details on how to mandate online for the Society to collect 1 make payment. annual payment or 10 monthly instalments. If you require any further assistance regarding Contact our Subscriptions Team to request a your membership renewal or would like to make form. payment over the phone please contact the Find out more ways to get involved and utilise Subscriptions Team on: your membership benefits on our website: +44 (0)20 7670 4315 / 4304 www.aerosociety.com/membership [email protected] [email protected]

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Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 15 16/11/2020 17:17:06 Elections

FELLOWS E-ASSOCIATES AFFILIATES WITH REGRET Graeme Crawford Junior James Achumu Fadi Ghourani John Dwyer Erik Aguaze Jake Williams The RAeS announces with regret the deaths of the John Holmes Samuel Beresford following members: Stephen McCaskey Adam Conner STUDENT AFFILIATES John Reginald Bates CEng MRAeS 86 Samuel Fernandez- John Cyril Chaplin CEng FRAeS 94 ASSOCIATE Mead Marco Andreacchio MEMBERS Zoe Garstang Nafis Arefin Christopher Tom Ferris ARAeS 80 Lewis Jepps Anthony Caracella Arthur Albert Jacobs CEng MRAeS 92 Marriam Masood Wilson Kaliyati Huw Jones Shaun Quigley Simon Marr Vince Liwanage Martin Trevor Peters CEng FRAeS 83 Oscar Reyes Salazar James McKevitt Sophie Mastoris Norman Roberts CEng FRAeS 89 Muhammad Faisal George Newton James Tan Saeed Petros Perdikoulis Max Tomich Devasish Vadlamudi Syed Arbaz Rasheed Shanil Yayawardena Samir Sidhwani ASSOCIATES Nicky Sigamonie James Smart Talha Hayat Malik

1949 RAeS Garden Party at White Waltham

In the article ‘A window in time’ published in AEROSPACE last month, the pilot of the Deperdussin in the main photograph was attributed to Wg Cdr J A Kent, as stated in the report of the day in The Aeronautical Journal. Eagled-eyed Fellow, Desmond Penrose, spotted that it was actually Shuttleworth pilot Leonard ‘Jacko’ Jackson. Desmond should know, not only was he there on the day but he also later became a Shuttleworth pilot. We are grateful for the opportunity to correct our historical record.

COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2021 Would you like to help guide the Society?

The Society would like to hear from we need members of Council from every part of members who are interested in standing for the aeronautical community and this is where you the Council in the 2021 elections to be held come in. next spring. Only by having a good number Please give serious thought to whether you of candidates from all sectors of the aviation could serve the Society in this most important role. and space community can the Council If you are interested, or require further information, benefit from a variety of backgrounds and please visit our website at experience. www.aerosociety.com/councilelection or NOMINATIONS As members will be aware, the Council now contact Saadiya Ogeer, the Society’s Governance FOR THE 2021 concentrates on the outward facing aspects of the and Compliance Manager, on +44 (0)20 7670 RAeS COUNCIL Society’s global activities. Indeed, as the Society 4311 or [email protected] ELECTIONS becomes ever more global, it is critically important that our offerings to members, to Corporate Please note that all nominations must be ARE NOW Partners and especially to the public are of the submitted no later than OPEN highest quality. To lead output of the highest quality 31 January 2021 at 23.59 GMT.

56 AEROSPACE

Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 16 16/11/2020 17:17:07 Obituary NORMAN ROBERTS

CEng FRAeS on occasion because of stress between UK and 1931-2020 other countries with demands for greater speed, longer range and ‘jump into action’.” One day he took a shortcut through the Drawing Norman was born in Rhuddlan, North Wales, on Office where he witnessed a draughtsman venting 3 April 1931. He was educated locally, then at aloud his frustration at his drawing of the RB211 St Asaph Grammar School when he became in the words: “Oh, I don’t know what’s wrong, it just interested in the . He achieved the title of doesn’t look right.” It wasn’t his responsibility but the County Open Exhibitioner and a place at Liverpool next morning Norman gathered as many drawings University to study engineering. The University was of the RB211 as he could and scrutinised and giving first choice of degree courses to people compared them one by one. An idea took shape. He returning from the war. Engineering was the most continued to work on it until he was able to present popular, so Norman switched to a science degree a project to save fuel to two members of the Board, in Physics and Chemistry. It was the latter that who gave it the go-ahead. The target was to save secured him a position at the Rolls-Royce Flight 1% of fuel. He and his team went to work. The Test Establishment at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, target was soon achieved, without loss of power. as Fuels Engineer, eventually leading to Technical When it had reached 1.5%, he left the team to Manager. In time he went on to represent his continue development, so he never knew how much employer to customers on both fire precaution and it had saved. Norman was commended for his work aerodynamics in Europe and on aerodynamics in on the improvement in fuel consumption achieved Japan. In his own words: “Worked very long hours with such relative simplicity.

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Afterburner_December2020 - USE.indd 17 16/11/2020 17:17:08 The Last Word Commentary from Professor Keith Hayward FRAeS

Light at the end of Boeing’s tunnel

got troubles, wall to wall” – as Ray However, there is also the issue of long-term Charles might have observed about reputational damage, not to mention the bill from Boeing’s current problems. The 737 MAX angry customers missing that capacity so needed grounded; manufacturing problems with before March 2020, which will hopefully, return by the 787 and a Covid-19-inspired market 2022. There is also the little matter of the tort claims “crash,I is a pretty good triple $multi billion whammy still to be settled in the US courts. That will not come by anybody’s standards. cheap and will remind people of the 346 fatalities. Chicago/Seattle has got a glimpse of some A damning report from the US Congress underlined good news in that EASA, the European regulator, the depth of Boeing’s structural inadequacies, which expects to see the MAX back in service by 1 will provide those tort lawyers with more damning January. This should match US approval from evidence. The company hid flaws in the design from the FAA given as AEROSPACE goes to press. pilots and regulators – helped by complacent and There were the inevitable conditions and approval weak oversight from the FAA. Boeing was desperate depended on Boeing applying an effective to keep up with the Airbus A320neo and cut several triple redundancy to the sensors that measure corners to get the MAX up to speed. Pilots were left critical inflight data, along with other software ignorant of the risks and possible remedial actions. modification. These should prevent repetition of the It is a hard choice between Boeing and the FAA fatal stalling incidents in 2018 and 2019. EASA as to who should receive the most blame – I plump asked for more stringent changes than the FAA for the regulator in this case, for who else can the but, together these should be enough to reassure punter trust to keep everybody honest and on the other national authorities to allow the MAX back ball? The House Committee declared this to be a into service for 2021. clear case of ‘regulatory capture’ where the target of regulation shapes its implementation. Not entirely in the clear Boeing is on notice that its future procedures will face additional scrutiny. EASA will be looking at So far so good – the MAX is not entirely out of the 777X ‘with increased vigilance’ and the FAA will the woods. If the experience of the Airbus A320 have several Congressional Committees breathing is anything to go by (it experienced a number of down its collective neck to apply the most rigorous accidents and incidents related to the introduction standards to Boeing products. Congress has already EFFECTIVE of its novel computer-effected control systems), mandated improvements to the FAA’s procedures. REGULATION there will be a period of probation when any little OF DESIGN, glitch will get widely reported. Time will also tell if No repetitions – anywhere! DEVELOPMENT, there will be a ‘DC-10’ backlash from some nervous passengers, after fatal crashes were caused by a There should be no illusions here: and no gloating PRODUCTION design weakness that routed hydraulics above a from this side of the Atlantic. This was a bad day AND cargo door and were vulnerable to damage if the for the entire civil aerospace industry. Effective OPERATION door was improperly latched). These led to some regulation of design, development, production and disinclination to get on board the MDD jumbo. If operation is the core of safe air travel. Given that the IS THE CORE so, this too should be temporary – and a sizable entire industry will be in a convalescent state for the OF SAFE AIR majority of passengers do not know or don’t care next half decade, there can be no repetition of this TRAVEL. what aircraft they are flying on. egregious episode.

58 AEROSPACE THE AERONAUTICAL NOW FREE JOURNAL TO ALL RAeS Covering all aspects of aerospace MEMBERS!

Editor-in-Chief: Professor Holger Babinsky FRAeS University of Cambridge, UK

Chairman of the Editorial Board: Professor Mike Graham FREng FRAeS Imperial College London, UK

Deputy Chairman of the Editorial Board: Professor Chris Atkin CEng FRAeS City, University of London, UK

We have exciting news for readers of The Aeronautical Journal. The Royal Aeronautical Society, in partnership with its co-publishers, Cambridge University Press, has taken the decision to make The Aeronautical Journal available, free of charge, to all members of The RAeS from January 2021. As part of these changes, the RAeS will no longer offer the journal in printed form. If you currently subscribe to The Aeronautical Journal, you will not have your subscription renewed, instead you are invited to view the Journal and its 123 year old back catalogue for free with the rest of the membership. From 1 January 2021, members will have free access to the Journal’s dedicated website via a link at: aerosociety.com/aerojournal. If you have any questions, or require further support, contact: [email protected]

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