Aviation Week & Space Technology

STARTS AFTER PAGE 34 MRO’s Bumpy Path Rolls Speeds Back to Recovery to Supersonics ™ $14.95 AUGUST 17-30, 2020

ADVANCING AIR MOBILITY Digital Edition Copyright Notice

The content contained in this digital edition (“Digital Material”), as well as its selection and arrangement, is owned by Informa. and its affiliated companies, licensors, and suppliers, and is protected by their respective copyright, trademark and other proprietary rights.

Upon payment of the subscription price, if applicable, you are hereby authorized to view, download, copy, and print Digital Material solely for your own personal, non-commercial use, provided that by doing any of the foregoing, you acknowledge that (i) you do not and will not acquire any ownership rights of any kind in the Digital Material or any portion thereof, (ii) you must preserve all copyright and other proprietary notices included in any downloaded Digital Material, and (iii) you must comply in all respects with the use restrictions set forth below and in the Informa Privacy Policy and the Informa Terms of Use (the “Use Restrictions”), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Any use not in accordance with, and any failure to comply fully with, the Use Restrictions is expressly prohibited by law, and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties. Violators will be prosecuted to the maximum possible extent.

You may not modify, publish, license, transmit (including by way of email, facsimile or other electronic means), transfer, sell, reproduce (including by copying or posting on any network computer), create derivative works from, display, store, or in any way exploit, broadcast, disseminate or distribute, in any format or media of any kind, any of the Digital Material, in whole or in part, without the express prior written consent of Informa. To request content for commercial use or Informa’s approval of any other restricted activity described above, please contact the Reprints Department at (877) 652-5295. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, you may not use spiders, robots, data mining techniques or other automated techniques to catalog, download or otherwise reproduce, store or distribute any Digital Material.

NEITHER Informa NOR ANY THIRD PARTY CONTENT PROVIDER OR THEIR AGENTS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY ACT, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR ACCESS TO ANY DIGITAL MATERIAL, AND/OR ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN.

2019 2020

1982 1995 2007

digital archive, which provides unmatched access the decades to last 10

1959 1967 1968

U 4

archive.aviationweek.com Boeing is proud sponsor to the Aviation Week of aerospace innovation with nearly 500,000 pages of content. C 1918 1 1934 1944 Read Aviation Week Anytime, Anywhere AVIATIONWEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY Now 3 Ways to Read Online 2020 Winner August 17-30, 2020 . Volume 182 . Number 16

By Article: AviationWeek.com/awst By Issue: AviationWeek.com/awst_current Download and Read O ine: AviationWeek.com/download

2 2| Chinese cities are again putting SPACE FEATURES money into airlines 4 5| Freed of motor limit, South Korea can lift launch capability 12 | Silver Linings 2 3| U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers brace Progress on 737 MAX and 777X for a rocky autumn 46 | ULA and SpaceX retain U.S. programs is pivotal to Boeing’s military space launch business emergence from historic downturn DEFENSE 2 6| U.S. Missile Defense Agency MAINTENANCE, REPAIR 40 | ‘Rock-Solid’ Debut reveals hypersonic defense vision AND OVERHAUL NASA astronauts’ return from the 54 | Aftermarket decline is less than fl ight test to the ISS sets the stage 2 8| Skyborg contract awards boost feared, recovery more daunting for SpaceX taxi rides to the station manned-unmanned teaming 42 | Three for the Road 3 0| USAF budget shows sixth-gen UNMANNED AVIATION Missions from the UAE, China and fi ghter engines ready by 2025 56 | The Sun is setting on the FAA’s the U.S. have launched on the seven- 31 | Future fi ghter factory technology drone partnership initiative month journey to Mars will lower Tempest costs 5 8| Swiss and U.S. authorities draw 48 | Getting Real 3 2| Spain makes defense commitments closer on drones Urban air mobility moves closer to to keep Airbus jobs reality as vehicles fl y and regulations PROPULSION and airspace concepts are fi rmed up 3 3| How one component improved 60 | Rolls-Royce links with Boom and U.S. Navy F/A-18 fl eet readiness Virgin on supersonic ventures

3 5| Showing fi rst photo, KAI says ASK THE EDITORS COMMERCIAL AVIATION KF-X is 13% composite 6 2 15 | Boeing ramp-downs highlight latest | What are advantages, challenges airframer adjustments 3 6| The Pentagon rethinks the of electric-powered airliners? troubled F-35 logistics system 16 | U.S. operators shu e but do not VIEWPOINT cancel 737 MAX deliveries 3 7| UK rotorcraft capabilities hindered 66 | The FCC is endangering GPS by lack of local opportunities through its Ligado decision 18 | European aircraft OEMs are adapting to the new normal ON THE COVER 19 | Can stepping up novel coronavirus Boeing-Kitty Hawk joint venture Wisk is preparing to begin passenger fl ight trials with its Cora two- testing help airlines recover? seat, self-piloted eVTOL air taxi in New Zealand as the urban air mobility industry makes advances over a broad front. Wisk photo. 21 | COVID-19 second-wave risk may hamper Asia-Pacifi c rebound Aviation Week publishes a digital edition every week. Read it at AviationWeek.com/AWST DIGITAL EXTRAS Access exclusive online features from articles accompanied by this icon.

AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 3 AVIATION 4 SPACE& WEEK TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 EXPANDING EXTENDING Guy Norris, Tony Osborne, Bradley Perrett, James Pozzi, Adrian Schofield, Lee AnnShay, Steve Trimble William Garvey, Ben Goldstein, Lee Hudson, Irene Klotz, HelenMassy-Beresford, Jefferson Morris, Editors Managing Director, Intelligence &Data Services AnneMcMahon Copy Editors Editor-In-Chief Joseph C. Anselmo [email protected] Senior Manager, Data Operations/Production Terra Deskins Lindsay Bjerregaard, Sean Broderick, MichaelBruno, BillCarey, Thierry Dubois, Director, Editorial andOnline Production MichaelO. Lavitt Jens Flottau (Commercial Aviation) [email protected] Jen DiMascio (Defense andSpace) [email protected] Helen Massy-Beresford Director, Forecasts and Aerospace Insights BrianKough President, Aviation Week Network Gregory Hamilton Graham Warwick (Technology) Production Editors Audra Avizienis, Theresa Petruso Manager, Data Operations Military Michael Tint Director, Digital Content Strategy Rupa Haria Artists 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, D.C. 20037 Chief Aircraft Evaluation Editor Fred George Bradley Perrett Associate ManagingEditor Molly [email protected] Thierry Dubois [email protected] Tony Osborne [email protected] Contributing Photographer Joseph Pries Jen DiMascio [email protected] Lee Ann Shay [email protected] Content Marketing Manager Rija Tariq Maxim Pyadushkin [email protected] Jens Flottau [email protected] Irene Klotz [email protected] Adrian Schofield Guy [email protected] Mark Carreau [email protected] Jack Freifelder, Arturo Mora, Natalia Pelayo, Andy Savoie 605 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10158 Thomas De Pierro, Rosa Pineda, Colin Throm Art Director Lisa Caputo Phone: +1 (212)204-4200 Phone: +1 (202) 517-1100 Executive Editors Data &Analytics [email protected] [email protected] Editorial Offices Cape Canaveral Bureau Chiefs Los Angeles Washington Frankfurt Auckland Houston Chicago Moscow Wichita London Beijing [email protected] Paris Lyon [email protected]

Andrea Hollowell

AviationWeek.com/AWST

Editor-In-Chief Joseph C. Anselmo [email protected] Executive Editors Jen DiMascio (Defense and Space) [email protected] Jens Flottau (Commercial Aviation) [email protected] Graham Warwick (Technology) [email protected] Editors Lindsay Bjerregaard, Sean Broderick, Michael Bruno, Bill Carey, Thierry Dubois, William Garvey, Ben Goldstein, Lee Hudson, Irene Klotz, Helen Massy-Beresford, Jefferson Morris, Guy Norris, Tony Osborne, Bradley Perrett, James Pozzi, Adrian Schofield, Lee Ann Shay, Steve Trimble Chief Aircraft Evaluation Editor Fred George Director, Editorial and Online Production Michael O. Lavitt Associate Managing Editor Andrea Hollowell Art Director Lisa Caputo Artists Thomas De Pierro, Rosa Pineda, Colin Throm Copy Editors Jack Freifelder, Arturo Mora, Natalia Pelayo, Andy Savoie Production Editors Audra Avizienis, Theresa Petruso Contributing Photographer Joseph Pries Director, Digital Content Strategy Rupa Haria Content Marketing Manager Rija Tariq Top Data & Analytics Director, Forecasts and Aerospace Insights Brian Kough Senior Manager, Data Operations/Production Terra Deskins Manager, Military Data Operations Michael Tint Shot Editorial Offices 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, D.C. 20037 WEEK Phone: +1 (202) 517-1100 AVIATION 605 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10158 2020 PHOTO Phone: +1 (212) 204-4200 Bureau Chiefs CONTEST Auckland Adrian [email protected] Beijing Bradley Perrett [email protected] Cape Canaveral Irene Klotz [email protected]

EXPANDING EXTENDING Chicago Lee Ann Shay [email protected] Frankfurt Jens Flottau [email protected] Open to images Houston Mark Carreau [email protected] taken since 2000 London Tony Osborne [email protected] Los Angeles Guy Norris [email protected] • International Recognition Lyon Thierry Dubois [email protected] • Cash Prizes Moscow Maxim Pyadushkin [email protected] Paris Entry Deadline October 5, 2020 Helen Massy-Beresford [email protected] Get more information and enter your photos Washington Jen DiMascio [email protected] at AviationWeek.com/photo-contest Wichita Molly McMillin [email protected]

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

PETER LEWIS

4 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST FEEDBACK

whole payload every mission. Please, reported separately on the Aviation Week someone, tell me we are not paying Intelligence Network on June 22. $500 million for a launch. I understand the scientific objectives, but seeing as how we are perhaps 20 years from FILLING THE VOID sending someone to Mars, I think JPL In the recent Q&A with Boeing CEO and NASA could find better objectives. David Calhoun, “Mr. Fix-It” (July 27- A two-year mission that costs $300 Aug. 16, p. 29), he says: “[A]ny partic- million, assuming 24/7 monitoring, etc., ular vision anyone has for [the new works out to $25,000 per hour! How midmarket airplane] right now does much is overhead anyway? Does any- not exist.” one review these costs and budget? Commercial aerospace is going through challenging times, but Boeing Michael Swindell, Palm Desert, California should commit to launching a new airplane because the middle of the Editor’s note: NASA’s contract with United market is underserved. The company Launch Alliance, awarded in 2016 to can leverage Boeing 787 airplane de- launch and provide related support services sign, and the manufacturing strategy for the Mars 2020 rover, was $243 million. can be optimized. The market is underserved due to OFFSHORE ALTERNATIVE Boeing 757 and Airbus A300 models The imminent collapse of Japan’s being retired or converted to freight- Aegis Ashore plan reported by Bradley ers. Airlines also use the larger 787 SAMPLE RETURN RIGORS Perrett (June 29-July 12, p. 29) seems a and Airbus A330 models, which have I was fascinated by Irene Klotz’s “Next huge concession to local antimilitary excess seat capacity, are too heavy and Stop Jezero Crater” (July 13-26, p. 62). pressures. Its potential replacement by not cost-effective for airlines. That’s One thing that caught my eye was the additional Aegis destroyers, however, is why Boeing should develop a smaller picture on p. 64 that shows a caching an illogical response. twin-aisle so airlines have a correctly sample container that will hold sam- An alternate Aegis offshore concept sized aircraft that fills the void. ples collected by Perseverance to be would place these systems on semisub- The airplane design should be returned to Earth on a future mission. mersible platforms attached to per- developed with all-composite technol- My question is: Those sample manent moorings in territorial waters. ogy in a next-generation oval fuselage, tubes are in very close proximity to This is proven offshore technology, which would lessen drag and increase each other; what is going to prevent akin to any number of existing offshore fuel efficiency. Boeing can draw on cross-contamination of samples? petroleum terminals. It avoids dedicat- 787 technology for everything from I assume Perseverance will go to ing costly and highly mobile multirole thermoplastics, aluminum alloys and several different areas and have the vessels to fixed-point missile defense. advanced electric systems to avionics. potential to collect different types of It also sidesteps myriad onshore “not- This would decrease the development minerals and rocks. If the samples in-my-backyard” issues, from land and certification timeline. are in powder form, the vibration and acquisition to live-fire testing. Boeing can rebalance its manufac- rigors of a return spaceflight could Although theoretically more vulner- turing strategy to reduce its reliance allow mixing. Also during the collection able, their forward positioning would on an extended supply chain by rees- process, what is to prevent a portion of provide a tripwire against a broad tablishing a stronger insourcing plan pulverized material from getting into strategic attack as well as enhancing and by reshoring key work to North an adjacent collection tube via splash- antisubmarine warfare and search- American partners. This would also ing and hence potentially altering a and-rescue capabilities. reduce potential supply chain delays future sample that could be an entirely Such an approach could also be as well as logistical and quality issues. different material collected at a later useful on the U.S. West Coast where If this program is launched now, date? That might potentially skew any onshore installations are strongly the new airplane could be ready when results the scientists discover. opposed by the very citizens they air travel returns mid-decade, and it would protect. would then be the leading option for A. Kurt Savegnago, Canton, Illinois the airlines’ middle-market seg- Paul R. Johnson, Houston ments—and showcase Boeing’s leader- MARS MISSION COST ship in commercial aerospace. NASA has invested $2.4 billion in Editor’s note: Japan is indeed considering building and launching the Mars this idea, according to local media, as was Alex Krutz, Aliso Viejo, California 2020 Perseverance rover, according to “Next Stop Jezero Crater” (July 13-26, p. 62). Earlier Mars rovers Address letters to the Editor-in-Chief, Aviation Week & Space Technology, cost about $1 billion. This is the start- 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC, 20037 or send via email to: ing cost for the Jet Propulsion Lab- [email protected] Letters may be edited for length and clarity; oratory. Evidently, they redesign the a verifiable address and daytime telephone number are required.

6 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST FEEDBACK WHO’S WHERE

whole payload every mission. Please, reported separately on the Aviation Week someone, tell me we are not paying Intelligence Network on June 22. Leon van de Pas has to Aerion’s legal team, formerly with Noblis has named $500 million for a launch. I understand been appointed CEO Gulfstream; Robert Lewis as director of Georgie Brophy the scientific objectives, but seeing of Unifly, whose un- system test evaluation, formerly with director of busi- as how we are perhaps 20 years from FILLING THE VOID manned traffic man- Northrop Grumman; and Matthew ness development sending someone to Mars, I think JPL In the recent Q&A with Boeing CEO agement platform is Clarke as senior vice president of mar- for space systems. and NASA could find better objectives. David Calhoun, “Mr. Fix-It” (July 27- designed to connect keting and communications, formerly Brophy led space A two-year mission that costs $300 Aug. 16, p. 29), he says: “[A]ny partic- authorities with with Aston Martin Lagonda, Land shuttle mission oper- million, assuming 24/7 monitoring, etc., ular vision anyone has for [the new pilots to integrate Rover and Karma ations for the NASA works out to $25,000 per hour! How midmarket airplane] right now does drones into airspace safely. He suc- Automotive. Goddard Space Flight Center and has much is overhead anyway? Does any- not exist.” ceeds Marc Kegelaers. Van de Pas has Air taxi developer held senior management roles in the one review these costs and budget? Commercial aerospace is going helped grow both scaleups and mul- Wisk has hired Eric commercial sector. through challenging times, but Boeing tinationals such as Philips, Gemalto, Johnson as senior CAE has hired Daniel Gelston as Michael Swindell, Palm Desert, California should commit to launching a new Tele Atlas and HERE Technologies. vice president of group president for defense and se- airplane because the middle of the HeliOffshore has appointed Tim engineering. Johnson curity. Gelston had been president of Editor’s note: NASA’s contract with United market is underserved. The company Rolfe CEO of the helicopter-safety was chief engineer at L3Harris Technologies’ broadband Launch Alliance, awarded in 2016 to can leverage Boeing 787 airplane de- organization, of which he is a found- Boeing NeXt and product development communications business and Smiths launch and provide related support services sign, and the manufacturing strategy ing member. Rolfe was Bristow chief engineer and integration team Detection and Cobham Tactical for the Mars 2020 rover, was $243 million. can be optimized. Helicopters’ director of safety and leader, respectively, for the Boeing Communications and Surveillance. The market is underserved due to global safety assurance; a helicopter 777X and 777-8 programs. He began He is a former military intelligence OFFSHORE ALTERNATIVE Boeing 757 and Airbus A300 models pilot in offshore, search-and-rescue, his career at McDonnell Aircraft. officer and U.S. The imminent collapse of Japan’s being retired or converted to freight- military support and other opera- Aviation, Power and Marine (AP&M) Army Armor School Aegis Ashore plan reported by Bradley ers. Airlines also use the larger 787 tions; and a board member of several has hired Jay McClaugherty Sr. as U.S. Draper Awardee. SAMPLE RETURN RIGORS Perrett (June 29-July 12, p. 29) seems a and Airbus A330 models, which have Bristow companies. Southwest sales manager. He had been Dan Boehle has I was fascinated by Irene Klotz’s “Next huge concession to local antimilitary excess seat capacity, are too heavy and Astroscale U.S. has hired Carolyn a field service engineer for S&S Energy been promoted to Stop Jezero Crater” (July 13-26, p. 62). pressures. Its potential replacement by not cost-effective for airlines. That’s Belle as director of advanced systems Products and TransCanada Turbines. Aerojet Rocketdyne One thing that caught my eye was the additional Aegis destroyers, however, is why Boeing should develop a smaller and Rob Staples as program manager. AP&M provides component repair chief financial officer picture on p. 64 that shows a caching an illogical response. twin-aisle so airlines have a correctly Belle led KSAT’s U.S. smallsat net- services and is an aeroderivative indus- from vice president, sample container that will hold sam- An alternate Aegis offshore concept sized aircraft that fills the void. work development and was an analyst trial-machinery com- controller and principal accounting ples collected by Perseverance to be would place these systems on semisub- The airplane design should be with Northern Sky Research and the ponents distributor. officer. Boehle previously was with returned to Earth on a future mission. mersible platforms attached to per- developed with all-composite technol- Space Foundation. Staples held roles AlphaCoin has Northrop Grumman, where he was di- My question is: Those sample manent moorings in territorial waters. ogy in a next-generation oval fuselage, in systems engineering, operations named John Boscia rector of Aerospace Systems financial tubes are in very close proximity to This is proven offshore technology, which would lessen drag and increase and program management across vice president of planning, reporting and analysis. each other; what is going to prevent akin to any number of existing offshore fuel efficiency. Boeing can draw on satellite, launch vehicle and ground business develop- John Thomas has joined Spike Aero- cross-contamination of samples? petroleum terminals. It avoids dedicat- 787 technology for everything from systems enterprises ment. He previously space’s executive team. He was CEO I assume Perseverance will go to ing costly and highly mobile multirole thermoplastics, aluminum alloys and for CesiumAstro and held senior business of Virgin Australia Airlines. Thomas several different areas and have the vessels to fixed-point missile defense. advanced electric systems to avionics. OneWeb. development and engineering posi- also serves on the boards of Icelandair potential to collect different types of It also sidesteps myriad onshore “not- This would decrease the development Agnieszka Cox has tions with the Triumph Group, Butler and Sky Service and is an advisor with minerals and rocks. If the samples in-my-backyard” issues, from land and certification timeline. been promoted to Aerospace and Defense, and the McKinsey & Co., Nieuport Aviation are in powder form, the vibration and acquisition to live-fire testing. Boeing can rebalance its manufac- president of Pacific TransDigm Group. Infra structure Partners, Plusgrade rigors of a return spaceflight could Although theoretically more vulner- turing strategy to reduce its reliance Aero Tech, a Kent, EaglePicher Technologies has hired and CAPA - Centre for Aviation. allow mixing. Also during the collection able, their forward positioning would on an extended supply chain by rees- Washington-based Steve Carrington as vice president of EHang Holdings has appointed process, what is to prevent a portion of provide a tripwire against a broad tablishing a stronger insourcing plan aviation repair and service company business development and marketing. Edward Xu, who is chief strategy pulverized material from getting into strategic attack as well as enhancing and by reshoring key work to North specializing in windows, avionics The battery-systems supplier fulfills officer, as head of marketing out- an adjacent collection tube via splash- antisubmarine warfare and search- American partners. This would also and instruments. She succeeds Tom mission-critical applications across de- side of Europe and Andreas Perotti, ing and hence potentially altering a and-rescue capabilities. reduce potential supply chain delays Brunts, who will remain on the board. fense, aerospace and medical sectors. who is chief marketing officer of future sample that could be an entirely Such an approach could also be as well as logistical and quality issues. Situational-awareness technology Carrington had been Norsk Titanium EHang Europe, as head of marketing different material collected at a later useful on the U.S. West Coast where If this program is launched now, provider MAG Aero- vice president of sales and programs. in Europe. date? That might potentially skew any onshore installations are strongly the new airplane could be ready when space has named Amerijet International has hired Kevin Dolliole, director of aviation results the scientists discover. opposed by the very citizens they air travel returns mid-decade, and it Nicholas Veasey Tim Strauss as CEO. Strauss comes for Louis Armstrong New Orleans would protect. would then be the leading option for chief financial officer. from Air Canada’s cargo business International Airport (MSY), has been A. Kurt Savegnago, Canton, Illinois the airlines’ middle-market seg- Veasey was Booz and also worked at Northwest/Delta elected to the Airports Council Inter- Paul R. Johnson, Houston ments—and showcase Boeing’s leader- Allen Hamilton vice Cargo, Hawaiian Airlines Cargo national-North America board of direc- MARS MISSION COST ship in commercial aerospace. president of investor and Emery Worldwide. He suc- tors. Dolliole, who oversaw MSY’s re- NASA has invested $2.4 billion in Editor’s note: Japan is indeed considering relations and before ceeds Vic Karjian, who will become cent $1 billion terminal development, building and launching the Mars this idea, according to local media, as was Alex Krutz, Aliso Viejo, California that covered the Deutsche Bank indus- Amerijet executive chairman. will fill an unexpired term. c 2020 Perseverance rover, accord- trial sector. ing to “Next Stop Jezero Crater” Aerion Supersonic has hired several To submit information for the Who’s Where column, send Word or attached text files (July 13-26, p. 62). Earlier Mars rovers Address letters to the Editor-in-Chief, Aviation Week & Space Technology, executives as the AS2 inches toward (no PDFs) and photos to: [email protected] For additional information on cost about $1 billion. This is the start- 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC, 20037 or send via email to: production: Alessandro Salvia as companies and individuals listed in this column, please refer to the Aviation Week Intelligence ing cost for the Jet Propulsion Lab- [email protected] Letters may be edited for length and clarity; controller, formerly with Embraer Network at AviationWeek.com/awin For information on ordering, telephone oratory. Evidently, they redesign the a verifiable address and daytime telephone number are required. and PwC; Rachelle St. Louis-Vincent U.S.: +1 (866) 857-0148 or +1 (515) 237-3682 outside the U.S.

6 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 7 FIRST

Rolls-Royce has discovered cracks in DEFENSE TAKE the intermediate-pressure compressor Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon For the latest, go to blades of higher-time Trent XWB-84 are to compete to develop a hypersonic AVIATIONWEEK.COM engines during scheduled overhauls. cruise missile, reviving Boeing’s role as a competitor for U.S. Air Force offensive Rolls is to study propulsion systems for hypersonic weapons (page 26).

UEC Boom Supersonic’s proposed Mach 2.2 Overture airliner and for a Mach 3 Russian Helicopters has flown the passenger transport being studied by modernized Kamov Ka-52M attack Virgin Galactic (page 60). rotorcraft, complete with improved electro-optical targeting system, at its Runway ends at Kozhikode Calicut Inter- subsidiary Progress in Arseniev in Rus- national Airport, where 18 were killed sia’s Far East.

in an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 U.S. NAVY runway excursion on Aug. 7, had been adjusted to create more runoff space, but fell short of recommendations fol- COMMERCIAL AVIATION lowing a similar accident in 2010. Russia’s United Engine Corp. has begun bench tests of a fan demonstrator for its German aerospace center DLR and MTU PD-35 large turbofan engine, proposed Aero Engines are to develop a hydrogen for the Sino-Russian Craic CR929. fuel-cell power train for flight testing in a Dornier Do 228 from 2026. Embraer will push back the entry into A U.S. Navy Boeing EA-18G test aircraft service of its 76-seat E175-E2 to 2023, as The FAA’s proposed steps to clear flew on Aug. 7 with the first flightworthy the Brazilian manufacturer faces weak Boeing 737 MAXs for service include Raytheon ALQ-249 Next-Generation demand because of COVID-19. separating wire bundles deemed non- Jammer Mid-Band pod. compliant with regulations and con- The third Boeing 777-9 development air- ducting readiness flights to ensure The U.S. Air Force will stick with in- craft completed its first flight on Aug. 3 long-grounded aircraft are airworthy cumbents United Launch Alliance (page 12). (page 12). and SpaceX for medium- and heavy- lift launches over the next five years, awarding them contracts worth a com- Airbus/Boeing Deliveries Down Nearly 50% bined $653 million (page 46). July July Year to Date Year to Date U.S. hypersonic weapon testing will 2020 2019 2020 2019 ramp up significantly in 2021 with three Airbus flights planned for the Common Hyper- sonic Glide Body supported by the U.S. A220 2 2 13 23 Army and Navy. A320/A320neo family 47 52 204 347 A330/A330neo 0 7 5 24 A Leidos-owned Bombardier Challeng- er 650 bristling with sensors has been A350 0 7 24 60 deployed by the U.S. Army as part of a A380 0 1 0 5 plan to acquire a fleet of business jets with a “deep-sensing” capability. TOTAL 49 69 246 459 NASA Boeing 737NG/MAX 0 2 9 114 747 0 0 1 4 767 1 3 15 25 777/777F 1 2 11 24 787 2 12 38 90 TOTAL 4 19 74 257 SPACE Note: Includes deliveries of military variants SpaceX ended its first crewed space- Sources: Airbus and Boeing flight—a two-month test run to the Deliveries of large commercial aircraft have declined drastically during the COVID-19 International Space Station—on crisis. In the first seven months of 2020, Airbus deliveries were down 46% compared Aug. 2 with a successful parachute with the same period in 2019, while Boeing’s year-over-year deliveries slumped by 71%. splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico off Boeing’s widebody deliveries—which exclude the grounded 737 MAX—declined 47%. Pensacola, Florida (page 40).

8 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST FIRST

UEC Boom Supersonic’s proposed Mach 2.2 On Aug. 4, SpaceX’s Starship SN5 made Overture airliner and for a Mach 3 Russian Helicopters has flown the a short hop from the launch stand near passenger transport being studied by modernized Kamov Ka-52M attack Brownsville, Texas. It was the first successful Virgin Galactic (page 60). rotorcraft, complete with improved low-altitude flight since an earlier demon- electro-optical targeting system, at its strator made two hops—one each in July and Runway ends at Kozhikode Calicut Inter- subsidiary Progress in Arseniev in Rus- August 2019 —to test the methane-burning national Airport, where 18 were killed sia’s Far East. Raptor engine. Another five prototypes were in an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 U.S. NAVY destroyed in pressurization, fueling and runway excursion on Aug. 7, had been engine tests. SN5 was the first with full-size adjusted to create more runoff space, propellant tanks. SpaceX plans to launch but fell short of recommendations fol- a Starship into orbit atop a Super Heavy COMMERCIAL AVIATION lowing a similar accident in 2010. booster, perhaps before the end of the year. SACE Russia’s United Engine Corp. has begun bench tests of a fan demonstrator for its German aerospace center DLR and MTU PD-35 large turbofan engine, proposed Aero Engines are to develop a hydrogen for the Sino-Russian Craic CR929. fuel-cell power train for flight testing in A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted o from Ken- triggered a premature shutdown of the Garmin and French manufacturer Daher a Dornier Do 228 from 2026. nedy Space Center on Aug. 7 carrying 57 booster’s second stage. have received European and U.S. certi- Embraer will push back the entry into A U.S. Navy Boeing EA-18G test aircraft new Starlink broadband satellites outﬁ t- ﬁ cation of Garmin’s Autoland system on service of its 76-seat E175-E2 to 2023, as The FAA’s proposed steps to clear flew on Aug. 7 with the first flightworthy ted with visors to cut sun glint that in- GENERAL AVIATION the TBM 940 single-engine turboprop. the Brazilian manufacturer faces weak Boeing 737 MAXs for service include Raytheon ALQ-249 Next-Generation terferes with astronomical observations. Textron Aviation has unveiled the Beech- demand because of COVID-19. separating wire bundles deemed non- Jammer Mid-Band pod. craft King Air 360 and 360ER, upgrades Spirit AeroSystems agreed to an ex- compliant with regulations and con- Rocket Lab has determined the cause of of the twin turboprop with new auto- panded role on the Aerion AS2 super- The third Boeing 777-9 development air- ducting readiness flights to ensure The U.S. Air Force will stick with in- the July 4 failure of an Electron rock- throttles, avionics improvements and sonic business jet that includes produc- craft completed its first flight on Aug. 3 long-grounded aircraft are airworthy cumbents United Launch Alliance et—a faulty electrical connection, which cabin enhancements. ing the forward fuselage. c (page 12). (page 12). and SpaceX for medium- and heavy- lift launches over the next five years, awarding them contracts worth a com- 80 YEARS AGO IN AVIATION WEEK Airbus/Boeing Deliveries Down Nearly 50% bined $653 million (page 46). Germany’s blitzkrieg through France in June 1940 left the Air Corps and the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (the Air Force July July Year to Date Year to Date U.S. hypersonic weapon testing will UK all alone against Adolf Hitler’s Luftwaffe. It was also a wake- would not be created for another seven years). “The principal 2020 2019 2020 2019 ramp up significantly in 2021 with three up call for the U.S.—still on the sidelines of World War II—that lesson of the war up to the present time is that partial defense Airbus flights planned for the Common Hyper- its air defenses were woefully inadequate. Our August 1940 is inadequate defense,” President Franklin D. Roosevelt pro- sonic Glide Body supported by the U.S. A220 2 2 13 23 edition focused on that challenge and plans to build 25,000 claimed. “We cannot defend ourselves a little here and a little Army and Navy. military aircraft over the next two years, which would require there.” The U.S. entered World War II 16 months later, after the A320/A320neo family 47 52 204 347 Challeng- a tripling of plant capacity and a fivefold increase in workers. Japanese attacked the naval fleet at Pearl Harbor and Hitler A330/A330neo 0 7 5 24 A Leidos-owned Bombardier c er 650 bristling with sensors has been “I feel confident that, with government cooperation and the joined Japan in declaring war. A350 0 7 24 60 deployed by the U.S. Army as part of a close coordination of all A380 0 1 0 5 plan to acquire a fleet of business jets phases of the National with a “deep-sensing” capability. TOTAL 49 69 246 459 Defense Program, the NASA aviation industry will Boeing be capable of fulfilling 737NG/MAX 0 2 9 114 its portion of that 747 0 0 1 4 program,” wrote J.E. 767 1 3 15 25 Schaefer, vice president of Boeing’s Stearman 777/777F 1 2 11 24 Aircraft division, in a 787 2 12 38 90 series of testimonials TOTAL 4 19 74 257 from industry leaders. A SPACE Note: Includes deliveries of military variants two-page graphic tallied SpaceX ended its first crewed space- Sources: Airbus and Boeing flight—a two-month test run to the the number of airplanes Deliveries of large commercial aircraft have declined drastically during the COVID-19 International Space Station—on in service with the Army crisis. In the first seven months of 2020, Airbus deliveries were down 46% compared Aug. 2 with a successful parachute with the same period in 2019, while Boeing’s year-over-year deliveries slumped by 71%. splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico off Subscribers can read our August 1940 edition and every issue back to 1916 at: acive.aviationeek.com Boeing’s widebody deliveries—which exclude the grounded 737 MAX—declined 47%. Pensacola, Florida (page 40).

8 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 COMMENTARY UP FRONT ANTOINE GELAIN

IN JULY, THE UK GOVERNMENT by June 2023 and 720 by June 2026. Failure to keep teamed up with India’s Bharti conglom- to this timetable will put OneWeb at risk of losing its erate to rescue the OneWeb broadband spectrum licenses, which are believed to be the only satcom venture from bankruptcy. The thing of real value in the venture today. British government itself is putting $500 million on Finally, the teaming of the British government with a the table for what is believed to be a 45% stake in the commercial telecommunications group from India looks company. This investment was authorized through an more like an opportunistic and tactical move than the unusual procedure called “ministerial direction.” This type of long-term public-private partnership required essentially means that the secretary of state for busi- to give such a difficult project a chance to succeed. ness and industrial strategy was allowed to override ■ Can OneWeb be realistically repurposed into a GNSS the recommendation of its staff who, after scrutinizing system? This would be revolutionary to say the least. the business plan, came to the conclusion that the pro- To design and develop a competitive satellite navigation posed investment did not meet the official government’s system using a completely new technology and system “value for money” re- architecture (in low quirements. Earth orbit) is a huge It also came in the The UK’s OneWeb Gamble and highly risky en- wake of a controver- ONEWEB deavor in itself. One sial project initiated early-stage U.S.-based by the UK government startup called Xona to develop a new Glob- Space Systems recent- al Navigation Satellite ly raised $1 million in System (GNSS) as a preseed money to try sovereign British al- to do just that. But ternative to the exist- doing it by reusing an ing European Galileo existing technology and American GPS will be even harder, as systems. While this it adds multiple con- has nothing to do with straints to the design OneWeb’s broadband specifications. It will communications busi- Can investing in a failed venture be like trying to run ness, one of the sce- be a nation’s space strategy? in a potato sack. So narios underlying the while the odds of suc- UK’s investment is to repurpose it into a GNSS-like cess are not nil, it seems a very far-fetched idea and system fit to deliver a resilient and accurate Position- one that will either quickly disappear or take a long ing, Navigation and Timing (PNT) service. time to come to fruition. This governmental decision to invest in OneWeb ■ What does all this tell us about the UK space strategy? raises three questions: Well, it tells us that it is in limbo and that the British ■ Is investing in OneWeb a good idea? After all, it government is at a loss as to how to fulfill its claimed would not be the first time a mobile satellite service ambition to become a space power in its own right in venture has bounced back from bankruptcy. Iridium, the post-Brexit world. Instead of building upon their Globalstar and Orbcomm all went through it 20 years past investments and current involvement in Europe- ago and managed to find some level of success (alan space projects, the British have decided they would though none of them is fully profitable yet). In the case rather go it alone. But it is a political stance, disconnect- of OneWeb, however, the odds of turning the business ed from the reality of the UK space industry, which is around are much lower. deeply embedded in the European space ecosystem. First, the competitive landscape is incredibly The decision to acquire a stake in OneWeb was justi- challenging, with two particularly strong competi- fied neither by the project’s economics nor by a proper tors: SpaceX’s Starlink, which is well ahead with 500 space industrial strategy, but simply by the govern- satellites already in orbit, and Amazon, which just ment’s political interest in potentially gaining access to announced it will invest $10 billion in completing the a space platform for “geopolitical advantages in foreign Kuiper constellation of 3,000+ satellites, following policy and soft power.” Beyond that, it is also symptom- recent FCC approval. atic of a government whose decisions appear increas- Second, it is likely that OneWeb needs a complete ingly improvised and that is using an investment strat- redesign to have a chance of succeeding against the egy akin to gambling. It may be a strategy all right, but huge technical and operational hurdles ahead. This let us not call it a space or industrial strategy. c will take time and extra money—all the more, as the clock is ticking: OneWeb is obliged by the Internation- Contributing columnist Antoine Gelain is the managing director of al Telecommunication Union to launch 360 satellites Paragon European Partners. He is based in London.

10 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMENTARY COMMENTARY UP FRONT GOING CONCERNS ANTOINE GELAIN MICHAEL BRUNO

IN JULY, THE UK GOVERNMENT by June 2023 and 720 by June 2026. Failure to keep AS PUBLIC COMPANIES REPORTED A more subtle shift, though no less significant, is teamed up with India’s Bharti conglom- to this timetable will put OneWeb at risk of losing its their latest quarterly results amid the occurring down the value chain, where there is an erate to rescue the OneWeb broadband spectrum licenses, which are believed to be the only recent financial carnage in the aerospace emerging middle market for space services. Compa- satcom venture from bankruptcy. The thing of real value in the venture today. and defense sector, it was hard to find gen- nies such as Parsons, Virgin Galactic and KBR have British government itself is putting $500 million on Finally, the teaming of the British government with a uine optimism. With COVID-19 gutting the commercial reengineered their companies and are making money the table for what is believed to be a 45% stake in the commercial telecommunications group from India looks aerospace manufacturing sector and maintenance, re- by providing support services for the space effort— company. This investment was authorized through an more like an opportunistic and tactical move than the pair and overhaul segment, and expectations hardening in ways that are not as sexy as SpaceX’s NASA crew unusual procedure called “ministerial direction.” This type of long-term public-private partnership required around flat or worse defense spending, most corpo - transport mission but just as real when it comes to essentially means that the secretary of state for busi- to give such a difficult project a chance to succeed. rate managers provided making a profit. ness and industrial strategy was allowed to override ■ Can OneWeb be realistically repurposed into a GNSS slimmed-down outlooks “We had nice year-on- the recommendation of its staff who, after scrutinizing system? This would be revolutionary to say the least. for the foreseeable future. Rising Above year growth in the space the business plan, came to the conclusion that the pro- To design and develop a competitive satellite navigation But one segment stood Could outer space perk up your portfolio? business, just under dou- posed investment did not meet the official government’s system using a completely new technology and system out for its near-universal ble-digit growth there,” “value for money” re- architecture (in low positivity: space. It may KBR CEO and Presi- quirements. Earth orbit) is a huge have almost taken an dent Stuart Bradie said It also came in the The UK’s OneWeb Gamble and highly risky en- implosion of the airlin- Aug. 6. The former Hal- wake of a controver- ONEWEB deavor in itself. One er business and historic liburton business, once sial project initiated early-stage U.S.-based federal deficit spending publicly associated with by the UK government startup called Xona against a pandemic to get military logistics sup- to develop a new Glob- Space Systems recent- there, but suddenly outer port during the George al Navigation Satellite ly raised $1 million in space looks like the best W. Bush administration, System (GNSS) as a preseed money to try place to be in business. now is the world’s only sovereign British al- to do just that. But “Space continues to be government-licensed ternative to the exist- doing it by reusing an an opportunity for com- provider training astro- ing European Galileo existing technology panies to drive growth in nauts for commercial and American GPS will be even harder, as a flat-to-down environ- space missions. systems. While this it adds multiple con- ment,” Jefferies analysts “Investors often over- has nothing to do with straints to the design wrote in an Aug. 10 report. look that KBR has trans- OneWeb’s broadband specifications. It will As the recent earnings NASA formed its portfolio since communications busi- Can investing in a failed venture be like trying to run season showed, numerous companies are being lifted 2015 and still perceive the firm as an engineering and ness, one of the sce- be a nation’s space strategy? in a potato sack. So by space business. “The primes are having such strong construction play, given its heritage as a unit of Hal- narios underlying the while the odds of suc- growth there,” Credit Suisse analyst Rob Spingarn noted liburton,” Cowen analyst Gautum Khanna noted in UK’s investment is to repurpose it into a GNSS-like cess are not nil, it seems a very far-fetched idea and in a July 31 teleconference. June. But acquisitions of Wyle Labs, Honeywell Tech- system fit to deliver a resilient and accurate Position- one that will either quickly disappear or take a long For instance, L3Harris Technologies sees space—both nology Solutions and Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies ing, Navigation and Timing (PNT) service. time to come to fruition. space-based and ground support—as its fastest-growing in 2016-18 “put KBR on the map as a noteworthy gov- This governmental decision to invest in OneWeb ■ What does all this tell us about the UK space strategy? opportunity, with a combined $10 billion pipeline of long- ernment services competitor.” Government services, raises three questions: Well, it tells us that it is in limbo and that the British term opportunities and several bid proposals awaiting especially space, now are responsible for 70% of the ■ Is investing in OneWeb a good idea? After all, it government is at a loss as to how to fulfill its claimed responses that total around $1 billion in the near term. company’s annual revenue. would not be the first time a mobile satellite service ambition to become a space power in its own right in “We feel very encouraged by the space business as a Interestingly, the space market is expanding so fast venture has bounced back from bankruptcy. Iridium, the post-Brexit world. Instead of building upon their whole,” said L3Harris Chairman and CEO Bill Brown. that KBR itself may have competition for astronaut Globalstar and Orbcomm all went through it 20 years past investments and current involvement in Europe- Several others below the marquee prime govern- training. In June, NASA signed a Space Act Agreement ago and managed to find some level of success (alan space projects, the British have decided they would ment contractor level are also benefiting, according to with Virgin Galactic to develop a private orbital astro- though none of them is fully profitable yet). In the case rather go it alone. But it is a political stance, disconnect- Jefferies analysts Sheila Kahyaoglu and Greg Konrad. naut readiness program for space tourists. of OneWeb, however, the odds of turning the business ed from the reality of the UK space industry, which is “Kratos Defense and Security is benefiting from the “As part of this, we will offer our existing space train- around are much lower. deeply embedded in the European space ecosystem. need for low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites in real-time ing infrastructure at Spaceport America and custom- First, the competitive landscape is incredibly The decision to acquire a stake in OneWeb was justi- data processing, and Mercury Systems is getting pulled ized future Astronaut Readiness Program . . . allowing challenging, with two particularly strong competi- fied neither by the project’s economics nor by a proper in, given an increased need for data processing power these private astronauts to become familiar with the en- tors: SpaceX’s Starlink, which is well ahead with 500 space industrial strategy, but simply by the govern- at the edge.” What is more, both Booz Allen Hamilton vironment in and en route to space such as G forces and satellites already in orbit, and Amazon, which just ment’s political interest in potentially gaining access to and Parsons indicate that space is even a target area for zero G,” Virgin Chief Space Officer George Whitesides announced it will invest $10 billion in completing the a space platform for “geopolitical advantages in foreign mergers and acquisitions. said Aug. 3. “This initiative has been largely driven by Kuiper constellation of 3,000+ satellites, following policy and soft power.” Beyond that, it is also symptom- President Donald Trump’s administration’s spending the considerable demand among our existing customer recent FCC approval. atic of a government whose decisions appear increas- and focus on space, from the new U.S. Space Force to base to participate in orbital space flights.” Second, it is likely that OneWeb needs a complete ingly improvised and that is using an investment strat- a NASA mission to return Americans to the Moon in There have also been plenty of space company set- redesign to have a chance of succeeding against the egy akin to gambling. It may be a strategy all right, but the coming years, certainly helps set the tone. Signifi- backs in recent months, with OneWeb’s bankruptcy huge technical and operational hurdles ahead. This let us not call it a space or industrial strategy. c cantly, there is a commercial sector race to establish heading the list. But it should come as no surprise that will take time and extra money—all the more, as the LEO-based communication and Earth observation ser- business success in space is hard. Maybe what is sur- clock is ticking: OneWeb is obliged by the Internation- Contributing columnist Antoine Gelain is the managing director of vices—albeit one driven by billionaires and their per- prising is that space is already proving lucrative for pub- al Telecommunication Union to launch 360 satellites Paragon European Partners. He is based in London. sonal passions for a space legacy. lic investors, and the market looks set to grow. c

10 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 11 COMMERCIAL AVIATION > Airframer adjustments p. 15 MAX deliveries hang on p. 16 European OEMs adapt p. 18 COVID-19 testing p. 19 Asia-Pacific demand p. 21 Chinese cities fund airlines p. 22 U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers p. 24 SILVER LININGS > FAA DRAFT RULE SPELLS OUT > 777X FLIGHT TESTS RAMP UP AS WHAT MUST BE DONE TO LIFT THIRD DEVELOPMENT AIRCRAFT THE 737 MAX GROUNDING ENTERS THE PROGRAM

Sean Broderick Washington and Guy Norris Los Angeles he release of a detailed road map that plots the Boeing MAX must have done before returning to revenue service. 737 MAX’s return to airline service in at least some Because Boeing made the work jurisdictions and the addition of a third 777-9 to that package available nearly two months program’s flight-test regime offered two rare bits of ago and the FAA tentatively approved T its contents, the wiring mandate is positive news amid both the company’s own crisis and the global not expected to add time to MAX re- airline industry’s historic downturn. turn-to-service preparation. The FAA, quoting Boeing’s service bulletin, es- The FAA on Aug. 3 laid out its most termined that bundles need to be sep- timates that the fixes will take a max- detailed blueprint to date on what arated in 12 places to meet 2007 reg- imum of 79 work hours per aircraft. Boeing and 737 MAX operators must ulatory changes intended to prevent The wiring design is the same on do to return their grounded aircraft wiring failures from creating hazards. the 737 Next Generation (NG) and to service in the U.S. The document, The agency ordered Boeing to fix the MAX, but the older model does not a notice of proposed rulemaking issue on new-production MAXs and need to be changed. The electrical wir- (NPRM), contains few surprises. develop modification instructions for ing interconnect system rule flagged Operators must install flight control in-service aircraft. by the FAA was not in place when the computer (FCC) and MAX flight-deck Many operators planned to make NG was designed; therefore, it is not display system software that Boeing the wiring changes before returning part of the model’s certification basis. has been developing and validating their MAXs to revenue flying, relying Updating MAX wiring, while an im- for more than a year to address is- on service instructions Boeing issued portant regulatory compliance issue, sues spotlighted in two fatal 737-8 ac- on June 10. What was not clear: is an ancillary change in the package cidents. They also must modify wire whether the FAA would require op- of upgrades that will end the 18-month- bundles that do not meet the latest erators to address the issue before plus fleet grounding. The major changes wire-separation standards. the MAXs flew again or give them the are installing updated FCC software The wire-bundle issue, discovered flexibility of a longer window for that modifies the MAX’s Maneuvering during a comprehensive review of compliance, which is typical for Characteristics Augmentation System the MAX’s design and certification, in-service fleet fixes. The FAA plan (MCAS) and putting pilots through involves horizontal-stabilizer trim confirms that the wiring work is one new, updated training. The MCAS, arm and control wiring. The FAA de- of several steps that each existing implicated in two fatal accidents that

12 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION > Airframer adjustments p. 15 MAX deliveries hang on p. 16 European OEMs adapt p. 18 COVID-19 testing p. 19 Asia-Pacific demand p. 21 Chinese cities fund airlines p. 22 U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers p. 232434

and line pilots validate proposed ing flight-control laws to safeguard changes to MAX pilot training. A Joint against MCAS activation due to a Operations Evaluation Board (JOEB) failed or erroneous AOA sensor,” the review, including participation from FAA says. Neither the NPRM nor the SILVER LININGS Brazilian, Canadian, European and FAA summary discusses adding addi- U.S. pilots and regulators must be per- tional AOA sensors. > FAA DRAFT RULE SPELLS OUT > 777X FLIGHT TESTS RAMP UP AS formed, followed by an FAA-led Flight MAX pilot training will be finalized WHAT MUST BE DONE TO LIFT THIRD DEVELOPMENT AIRCRAFT Standardization Board (FSB) report separately and will include a pub - that will establish minimum training lic-comment period. Once the training THE 737 MAX GROUNDING ENTERS THE PROGRAM curriculum for MAX pilots. program is approved, the FAA will is- The novel coronavirus pandemic’s sue an airworthiness directive (AD), travel restrictions have presented is- or final rule, mandating the return-to- sues for the JOEB work, which would service steps. The agency is not work- normally take place in one location. ing with a timeline for this process. On July 21, the FAA said “final plan- The NPRM was published on Aug. ning is underway” for the JOEB and 6. The public has through Sept. 21 to FSB pilot evaluations but did not offer provide feedback on the blueprint. details on timing. The agency will review the comments, The first flight of Boeing 777-9 Among the major training changes finalize the rule and issue it, formally lifting its March 13, 2019, emergency WH003 lasted 2 hr. 47 min. and expected to be adopted are mandatory simulator sessions for all prospective order banning MAX operations in was crewed by Boeing test pilots MAX pilots. Previously, pilots with U.S. airspace. Charles Farmer and Mark Brown. 737-type ratings could transition to Issuance of the final rule is the last the MAX following computer-based of four key steps that the FAA and differences training. The FAA is also Boeing must complete to clear the proposing changes to the following MAX’s return. seven MAX NNCs: runaway stabilizer, The first step requires Boeing to stabilizer trim inoperative, airspeed wrap up final documentation and unreliable, altitude disagree, AOA training updates and to submit a final disagree, speed trim fail and hori - package detailing them to the FAA for BOEING zontal stabilizer out of trim. Some of review and acceptance. Sean Broderick Washington and Guy Norris Los Angeles these changes are linked to the FCC The FAA must also address all rec- modifications, while others stem from ommendations from the Technical he release of a detailed road map that plots the Boeing MAX must have done before return- led regulators to ban MAX operations human factors research that found Advisory Board (TAB) of independent ing to revenue service. in March 2019, commands automatic problems with their language or log- experts set up to review the agency’s 737 MAX’s return to airline service in at least some Because Boeing made the work horizontal stabilizer inputs to help the ic. Boeing is adding an eighth NNC, conclusions, including findings of jurisdictions and the addition of a third 777-9 to that package available nearly two months MAX handle like its 737NG predeces- indicated airspeed disagree, to the compliance, related to Boeing’s pro- program’s flight-test regime offered two rare bits of ago and the FAA tentatively approved sor. The software changes ensure the airplane flight manual. posed changes. As of Aug. 3, six of the T its contents, the wiring mandate is MCAS functions as intended and only The FAA grouped the MAX safe - 11 TAB recommendations had been positive news amid both the company’s own crisis and the global not expected to add time to MAX re- when needed but does not confuse or ty issues into seven categories, the addressed, the FAA says. All five out- airline industry’s historic downturn. turn-to-service preparation. The FAA, overwhelm pilots. agency’s summary says. These are standing issues are linked to the FSB quoting Boeing’s service bulletin, es- The MAX’s original design, which MCAS’ reliance on a single AOA report on minimum pilot training. The FAA on Aug. 3 laid out its most termined that bundles need to be sep- timates that the fixes will take a max- relied on data from a single angle-of-at- sensor, MCAS’ repetitive commands, In addition, the FAA must issue detailed blueprint to date on what arated in 12 places to meet 2007 reg- imum of 79 work hours per aircraft. tack (AOA) sensor, left it susceptible MCAS’ stabilizer-trim adjustment guidance for its inspectors explaining Boeing and 737 MAX operators must ulatory changes intended to prevent The wiring design is the same on to a single-point failure. Boeing as- authority, flight crew recognition and the MAX flight-training and mainte- do to return their grounded aircraft wiring failures from creating hazards. the 737 Next Generation (NG) and sumed pilots would be the safety back- response, the way the MAX alerted nance updates. Inspectors will use the to service in the U.S. The document, The agency ordered Boeing to fix the MAX, but the older model does not stop, recognizing and reacting to un- pilots of an AOA disagree, other pos- guidance to approve flight crew and a notice of proposed rulemaking issue on new-production MAXs and need to be changed. The electrical wir- needed MCAS inputs quickly and sible horizontal stabilizer failures maintenance manual changes that (NPRM), contains few surprises. develop modification instructions for ing interconnect system rule flagged using the runaway stabilizer non- and MCAS-related maintenance pro- must be in place before airlines can Operators must install flight control in-service aircraft. by the FAA was not in place when the normal checklist (NNC). But the two cedures. The FAA says its directive resume MAX operations. computer (FCC) and MAX flight-deck Many operators planned to make NG was designed; therefore, it is not MAX accidents—Lion Air Flight 610 and the pending training plan will It is unclear whether any other reg- display system software that Boeing the wiring changes before returning part of the model’s certification basis. in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines address each of them. ulators will move in lockstep with the has been developing and validating their MAXs to revenue flying, relying Updating MAX wiring, while an im- Flight 302 in March 2019—showed the Once the software upgrades and FAA. Several have said they plan to for more than a year to address is - on service instructions Boeing issued portant regulatory compliance issue, company was wrong. One of the many wiring changes are complete, oper- conduct firsthand evaluations of Boe- sues spotlighted in two fatal 737-8 ac- on June 10. What was not clear: is an ancillary change in the package changes to the MCAS includes ensuring ators will be required to conduct a ing’s changes, setting up the likelihood cidents. They also must modify wire whether the FAA would require op- of upgrades that will end the 18-month- pilots can recover from an unneeded “readiness flight” to validate each air- of phased approvals. bundles that do not meet the latest erators to address the issue before plus fleet grounding. The major changes MCAS activation without using craft’s airworthiness and compliance The FAA has been working closely wire-separation standards. the MAXs flew again or give them the are installing updated FCC software non-normal procedures. with the new standards. with many regulators throughout the The wire-bundle issue, discovered flexibility of a longer window for that modifies the MAX’s Maneuvering The NPRM and a related FAA sum- Fixes to the single-AOA sensor evaluation process. For example, both during a comprehensive review of compliance, which is typical for Characteristics Augmentation System mary of its MAX review released at issue include the updated FCC soft- the European Union Aviation Safety the MAX’s design and certification, in-service fleet fixes. The FAA plan (MCAS) and putting pilots through the same time emphasize that work ware “to eliminate MCAS reliance on Agency and Transport Canada flight- involves horizontal-stabilizer trim confirms that the wiring work is one new, updated training. The MCAS, still remains to be done. The largest a single AOA sensor signal by using test and human-factors specialists arm and control wiring. The FAA de- of several steps that each existing implicated in two fatal accidents that remaining piece is having regulators both AOA sensor inputs and chang- helped the FAA and Boeing develop

12 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 13 COMMERCIAL AVIATION

After a slower-than-planned start, however, tests of the fi rst 777X family member—the 777-9—continue to ramp up with the third development aircraft entering the flight-test program on Aug 3. Designated WH003, the aircraft departed Boeing’s Everett, Washing- ton, facility and fl ew a circuit encom- passing parts of northern Oregon and central Washington before returning to land at the company’s flight-test base at Boeing Field, Seattle. The 2-hr. 47-min. flight reached a maximum altitude of 28,000 ft. and top speed of about 530 kt. and included two missed approaches and circuits of Moses Lake, Washington. OEIEIIONNE This third aircraft, destined for The FAA has laid out a plan that This will be easier said than done. launch operator Lufthansa after Boeing and operators will follow to Because various civil aviation agen- certifi cation, will be used primarily to evaluate performance of Gener- return their grounded MAXs to cies are planning a more detailed look at what Boeing has done to the al Electric GE9X engines as well as revenue service. MAX, regulatory approvals will not fl ight loads and operation of the aux- scenarios to evaluate fl ight crew re- all come at once. Airlines will not be iliary power unit and avionics. It joins sponse to the updated software, the able to take delivery until their home- Boeing’s fi rst two 777-9 development FAA says. Regulatory experts from country regulators sign o . aircraft, which continue to amass Brazil, Canada and Europe “are in- Compounding these issues is the test hours since the fl ight of the fi rst volved with the ongoing review and COVID-19 pandemic travel demand aircraft on Jan 25. and the second on analysis of the results as validating dilemma. Boeing has seen more than April 30. The fi rst aircraft, which re- authorities,” the U.S. agency adds. 600 MAX orders disappear from its sumed fl ight tests on April 23 after MAX operators have said they will backlog during the grounding, and almost a monthlong holdup related to need at least a month, and likely more, reduced demand caused by the nov- the COVID-19 pandemic, is currently to upgrade their MAXs, ensure they el coronavirus pandemic means it is engaged in fl utter tests and last week are ready to fly following extended likely to get worse before it gets bet- conducted stalls as part of continuing stints on the ground, work them back ter. Still more planned deliveries have envelope expansion work. into fl ight schedules and train pilots. been pushed back, giving airlines more Although WH001 testing is pri- Issuance of an AD by regulators time to wait out a demand rebound. marily aimed at stability and control clears the way for Boeing to resume Production restarted a few months as well as high- and low-speed aero- deliveries to affected airlines and, ago, but the buildup will be slow. Boe- dynamics, it has also been used for crucially, resume collecting paying, which was rolling out 52 737s per avionics, fl ight control systems and ments from its narrowbody-program month before the MAX was grounded, brake tests. The second aircraft, customers. has pushed its fi rst publicly released whose entry into the program was Boeing’s free cash fl ow of negative production-rate target of 31 aircraft also delayed by coronavirus-related $5.6 billion last quarter was its sixth per month from 2021 into 2022, and precautions, is engaged primarily on straight quarter in the red. Chief even that may change. tests of the autoland system and Financial Officer Greg Smith told “It’s a very gradual, slow-rate build- ground e ects testing. WH002, which analysts on July 29 that Boeing sees up to that 31,” Smith says. “And that conducted autoland approaches at a path to positive cash fl ow in 2021, could adjust based on how we deliver Moses Lake on Aug 3., will also be with “the biggest driver being the 737 o the ramp or any further informa- used to augment the stability and con- MAX profi le.” tion we gather from the customers.” trol work of WH001. Translation: Boeing needs to As Boeing’s hopes recede of seeing A fourth aircraft, WH004, is also set build—and, more importantly, deliv- cash fl ow in again soon from the MAX, to join the test program later this year. er and collect outstanding payments so have prospects of early income Incorporating a production-represen- on—as many MAXs as possible, as from the 777X, fi rst deliveries of which tative internal cabin confi guration, the soon as possible. have now o¡ cially been pushed back last dedicated 777-9 test airframe will Boeing stopped MAX deliveries from 2021 to 2022 (see p. 20). A victim be used mainly to evaluate the environ- when the model was grounded but of ill timing, the slowdown in 777-9 de- mental control system. Later in the kept producing them until January. velopment is blamed on the COVID- certifi cation e ort in 2021, WH004 will The company has about 450 MAXs in 19-related slowdown in demand for also conduct airport noise compliance storage awaiting delivery to custom- new large aircraft as well as an ex- work and, ultimately, fi nish its test role ers and plans to focus on moving the tended certifi cation process resulting with a phase of extended twin-engine majority of these within the fi rst year from lessons learned from the revised operations and airline-like functional- following regulatory approval. certifi cation of the 737 MAX. ity and reliability operations testing. c

1 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

After a slower-than-planned start, First deliveries of the Boeing 777-9 however, tests of the fi rst 777X family will not occur before 2022. The delay member—the 777-9—continue to ramp from 2021 is linked to the global up with the third development aircraft widebody market weakness. entering the flight-test program on Aug 3. Designated WH003, the aircraft move up methodically and stabilized— departed Boeing’s Everett, Washing- not have travel work—and [have] first- ton, facility and fl ew a circuit encom- time quality. We’ll do an assessment, passing parts of northern Oregon and then we’ll move up to the next rate. central Washington before returning And then again, we’ll be informed of to land at the company’s flight-test how quickly we’re clear in the inven- base at Boeing Field, Seattle. The tory off the ramp.” 2-hr. 47-min. flight reached a maxi- Production of Boeing’s two biggest mum altitude of 28,000 ft. and top money earners, the 777 and 787, will speed of about 530 kt. and included also be drastically cut back under two missed approaches and circuits the revised plans. Boeing previously of Moses Lake, Washington. planned to reduce 787 production to OEIEIIONNE This third aircraft, destined for 10 per month in 2020 and gradually This will be easier said than done. launch operator Lufthansa after trim it further to seven per month The FAA has laid out a plan that BOEING Boeing and operators will follow to Because various civil aviation agen- certifi cation, will be used primarily by 2022. to evaluate performance of Gener- return their grounded MAXs to cies are planning a more detailed “In light of the ongoing challenges look at what Boeing has done to the al Electric GE9X engines as well as Boeing Ramp-Downs Highlight Latest presented by the pandemic and the revenue service. MAX, regulatory approvals will not fl ight loads and operation of the aux- Airframe Manufacturer Adjustments impact on our airline customers, we scenarios to evaluate fl ight crew re- all come at once. Airlines will not be iliary power unit and avionics. It joins now plan to reduce the 787 production sponse to the updated software, the able to take delivery until their home- Boeing’s fi rst two 777-9 development rate from the current 10 per month to FAA says. Regulatory experts from country regulators sign o . aircraft, which continue to amass > BOEING MAKES MORE PRODUCTION CUTBACKS six per month in 2021,” Calhoun says. Brazil, Canada and Europe “are in- Compounding these issues is the test hours since the fl ight of the fi rst Reducing overall production to volved with the ongoing review and COVID-19 pandemic travel demand aircraft on Jan 25. and the second on > MARKET SOFTNESS ADDS FURTHER DELAY TO 777X DEBUT low single digits also has triggered analysis of the results as validating dilemma. Boeing has seen more than April 30. The fi rst aircraft, which re- a feasibility study into consolidating authorities,” the U.S. agency adds. 600 MAX orders disappear from its sumed fl ight tests on April 23 after Guy Norris Los Angeles and Sean Broderick Washington production into one site. Boeing splits MAX operators have said they will backlog during the grounding, and almost a monthlong holdup related to 787 production between Everett and need at least a month, and likely more, reduced demand caused by the nov- the COVID-19 pandemic, is currently mong growing acceptance ton, South Carolina, into one location. Charleston but assembles the largest to upgrade their MAXs, ensure they el coronavirus pandemic means it is engaged in fl utter tests and last week that the airline industry’s re- The company’s focus remains earn- 787-10 variant exclusively at the East are ready to fly following extended likely to get worse before it gets bet- conducted stalls as part of continuing Aturn to prepandemic activity ing regulatory approval for the 737 Coast site due to the length of the larg- stints on the ground, work them back ter. Still more planned deliveries have envelope expansion work. levels will take at least several years MAX’s return to service. But with 450 est mid-body fuselage section, which into fl ight schedules and train pilots. been pushed back, giving airlines more Although WH001 testing is pri- and will not be smooth, Airbus and aircraft already built and in storage is fabricated locally in South Carolina. Issuance of an AD by regulators time to wait out a demand rebound. marily aimed at stability and control Boeing are resetting their expecta- awaiting delivery, Boeing is slowing Although this logically suggests Boe- clears the way for Boeing to resume Production restarted a few months as well as high- and low-speed aero- tions, and production levels, to match plans to ramp up production to 31 per ing might shift all 787 production, deliveries to affected airlines and, ago, but the buildup will be slow. Boe- dynamics, it has also been used for the reduced demand. month from 2021 to early 2022 amid at least temporarily, to Charleston, crucially, resume collecting paying, which was rolling out 52 737s per avionics, fl ight control systems and Airbus made its major changes ear- ongoing market softness and the pro- while mothballing the line at Everett, ments from its narrowbody-program month before the MAX was grounded, brake tests. The second aircraft, lier this year, cutting production by longed recertification process. Boeing Calhoun declined to speculate on the customers. has pushed its fi rst publicly released whose entry into the program was about one-third across the board. Its now believes deliveries will restart in outcome of the study. Boeing’s free cash fl ow of negative production-rate target of 31 aircraft also delayed by coronavirus-related only notable new move, announced the fourth quarter of 2020—pending “I’m not going to jump to that con- $5.6 billion last quarter was its sixth per month from 2021 into 2022, and precautions, is engaged primarily on on July 30, was to further trim A350 clearance of the MAX, which was clusion yet,” Calhoun says. “I want to straight quarter in the red. Chief even that may change. tests of the autoland system and production to five aircraft per month grounded in March 2019 after two fa- make sure we do this the right way. Financial Officer Greg Smith told “It’s a very gradual, slow-rate build- ground e ects testing. WH002, which from six. tal accidents. Boeing halted deliveries So we’re in process, and we’re going analysts on July 29 that Boeing sees up to that 31,” Smith says. “And that conducted autoland approaches at Boeing’s updates, unveiled on July soon afterward. to do the best we can.” However, he a path to positive cash fl ow in 2021, could adjust based on how we deliver Moses Lake on Aug 3., will also be 29 alongside its heavy first-half loss “The production ramp profile is also adds: “I’m not even sure we can pull with “the biggest driver being the 737 o the ramp or any further informa- used to augment the stability and con- of $3 billion, including $2.4 billion in affected by the pace of delivery of our it off, but at any rate, we are going to MAX profi le.” tion we gather from the customers.” trol work of WH001. the second quarter, are more signifi- stored aircraft,” Boeing CEO David evaluate it.” Translation: Boeing needs to As Boeing’s hopes recede of seeing A fourth aircraft, WH004, is also set cant. Factoring in both the COVID-19 Calhoun says, adding that the company The reductions on the 777 will see build—and, more importantly, deliv- cash fl ow in again soon from the MAX, to join the test program later this year. pandemic’s effects on the entire in- expects the majority of the built inven- the combined 777-300ER/777F and er and collect outstanding payments so have prospects of early income Incorporating a production-represen- dustry and Boeing’s unique 737 MAX tory to be delivered during 2021. In the 777X production rate slimmed to just on—as many MAXs as possible, as from the 777X, fi rst deliveries of which tative internal cabin confi guration, the uncertainties, the U.S. conglomerate meantime, Boeing cautions that the ac- two aircraft per month in 2021, versus soon as possible. have now o¡ cially been pushed back last dedicated 777-9 test airframe will is making further cutbacks to its tual timing and size of the production the company’s original plan of three Boeing stopped MAX deliveries from 2021 to 2022 (see p. 20). A victim be used mainly to evaluate the environ- commercial aircraft production rates, rate ramp-up between now and 2022 per month. Deliveries of 777s will when the model was grounded but of ill timing, the slowdown in 777-9 de- mental control system. Later in the studying additional layoffs and delay- will be influenced by negotiations with continue at an average rate of around kept producing them until January. velopment is blamed on the COVID- certifi cation e ort in 2021, WH004 will ing deliveries of the 777X until 2022. airlines over the delivery schedule and 2.5 per month through the rest of this The company has about 450 MAXs in 19-related slowdown in demand for also conduct airport noise compliance Boeing also confirmed production of sequencing of both stored and yet-to- year. Beyond this, Calhoun says the ad- storage awaiting delivery to custom- new large aircraft as well as an ex- work and, ultimately, fi nish its test role the 747 will end in 2022, and the com- be-completed aircraft. justed production rate plans reflect the ers and plans to focus on moving the tended certifi cation process resulting with a phase of extended twin-engine pany is evaluating whether to consol- “Stability is going to be Job One,” effects of the pandemic on the wide- majority of these within the fi rst year from lessons learned from the revised operations and airline-like functional- idate its two 787 production facilities Boeing Chief Financial Officer Greg body market and the decision to slide following regulatory approval. certifi cation of the 737 MAX. ity and reliability operations testing. c in Everett, Washington, and Charles- Smith says. “It’s ensuring that we initial deliveries of the 777-9, the first

1 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 15 COMMERCIAL AVIATION

The cut in monthly 787 production to seven per month by 2022, a 30% reduction from today’s rate, will prompt Boeing to consider consolidating the program’s final assembly lines at one location. Currently, they are produced in Everett and Charleston (pictured). The latter is the only facility producing all three 787 variants.

tionately, with 15% of the workforce expected to be affected. The overall SEAN BRODERICK/AW&ST workforce reduction is not holding of the 777X family, from 2021 to 2022. of the 747-8 in 2022, Calhoun says the up hiring for key positions of need, The slowdown in 777-9 develop - assembly rate for the freighter will Calhoun says. ment, in turn, has been caused by the remain at six per year until the ter- “In some areas, most notably de- COVID-19-related decline in market mination of the five-decades-long pro- fense, we continue hiring to meet our demand for the big new twin as well gram. Although widely anticipated, customer commitments and to fill crit- as an extended certification process Boeing’s plan to end manufacture of ical skill positions,” he says. that reflects lessons learned from the the storied 747 appears to have been Both Airbus and Boeing are cogni- revised certification of the 737 MAX. accelerated by several months from zant of the pressures that production “We’ve tried to incorporate, or embed, a previous end goal of 2023. The 767 changes, and the resulting lower rates, as much of what we’ve learned in the line, bolstered by the KC-46 military put on their supply chains. 737 recertification as we can into that derivative, meanwhile, remains unaf- Boeing is “doing everything we can of the 777X, which means it just elon- fected for now with production main- to support our global suppliers, and gates that [process] a bit,” Calhoun tained at three per month. their stability remains a key watch says. “Certain things are going to take Boeing’s production changes mean item for us,” Calhoun says. “We’re more time to work our way through more personnel reductions on top of monitoring our suppliers’ status with the FAA. They’re going to go the 10% across-the-board cut already around the world to assess risks and deeper than maybe they would have underway and slated to be completed to address any potential disruption. or we would have assumed in earlier by year-end. The moves will hit com- We’ve been continuing payments to certification processes.” mercial airplane design, production our more than 12,000 suppliers sup- Confirming plans to end production and services personnel dispropor- porting about 1.5 million jobs.” c

American Airlines U.S. Operators Shuffle will take delivery of 40 of its 100 MAXs 737 MAX Deliveries in 2025 or later.

> BOEING’S MAX BACKLOG WAS 4,172 ON JUNE 30 JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET > NEARLY 1,000 MAXS COULD BE AT RISK, INCLUDING 600 FLAGGED BY BOEING

Sean Broderick Washington

.S. operators that have made the Boeing 737 MAX will give us more certainty in terms of fleet planning.” a major part of their fleet plans are reshuffling U.S. major carriers Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Udelivery schedules to match lower demand and the Southwest Airlines and United Airlines collectively have model’s prolonged grounding, but a lack of cancellations firm commitments for 567 MAXs, or 13% of the total de - underscores their unwavering confidence in the troubled livered and in the backlog. narrowbody. Southwest operated the most MAXs, 34, of any operator “We remain committed to the MAX,” says Michael when the fleet was grounded in March 2019 following two Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines chief operating officer. fatal accidents in five months. Work required by regula- “We look forward to its return to service. It is our most tors to address flight-control system and training issues cost-effective airplane, and having it back into service is ongoing, and the timing of the model’s return remains

16 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

The cut in monthly 787 production on order. But, United CFO Gerald Laderman said earlier to seven per month by 2022, a 30% this year, “I do not anticipate taking any of those aircraft reduction from today’s rate, will unless and until we need them.” Alaska Airlines has 32 MAXs on order and is planning prompt Boeing to consider consoli- JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET on taking delivery of three this year, all of which were orig- dating the program’s final assembly inally scheduled to arrive in 2019. Boeing has produced lines at one location. Currently, three MAXs for Alaska. They are among the 450 that the they are produced in Everett and manufacturer placed into storage after it halted deliveries Charleston (pictured). The latter following the model’s grounding. The airline is weighing is the only facility producing whether to keep its mixed mainline fleet of 737s and the all three 787 variants. Airbus A320-family models it acquired as part of its Virgin America purchase. The MAX’s challenges do not seem to have dampened the longtime 737 operator’s enthusiasm for tionately, with 15% of the workforce the newest Boeing narrowbody. expected to be affected. The overall “I think our team is satisfied with the safety of the MAX,” SEAN BRODERICK/AW&ST workforce reduction is not holding United Airlines expects to have 40 MAXs by 2022, less CEO Brad Tilden said on a recent Aviation Week webinar. of the 777X family, from 2021 to 2022. of the 747-8 in 2022, Calhoun says the up hiring for key positions of need, than half of the total originally planned. While U.S. operators are standing by their MAX order- The slowdown in 777-9 develop - assembly rate for the freighter will Calhoun says. books, other customers have changed course, and the lin- ment, in turn, has been caused by the remain at six per year until the ter- “In some areas, most notably de- fluid. Southwest is optimistic that it could operate revenue gering demand headwinds created by the pandemic will COVID-19-related decline in market mination of the five-decades-long pro- fense, we continue hiring to meet our flights on MAXs in late 2020, but is not overly concerned if likely lead to more changes. demand for the big new twin as well gram. Although widely anticipated, customer commitments and to fill crit- that timing slides to 2021. The MAX backlog stood at 4,172 as of June 30, Boeing’s as an extended certification process Boeing’s plan to end manufacture of ical skill positions,” he says. “We’re hopeful to begin revenue service in late December. official figures show. This does not include more than 600 that reflects lessons learned from the the storied 747 appears to have been Both Airbus and Boeing are cogni- But given the history of delays, it certainly could slide into orders that are considered questionable under the ASC revised certification of the 737 MAX. accelerated by several months from zant of the pressures that production the first quarter [of 2021],” Van de Ven says. “It will take at 606 revenue-recognition standard Boeing adopted in 2018, “We’ve tried to incorporate, or embed, a previous end goal of 2023. The 767 changes, and the resulting lower rates, least a couple of months from the date the FAA formally even though they have firm contracts. as much of what we’ve learned in the line, bolstered by the KC-46 military put on their supply chains. ungrounds the aircraft for it to fly in revenue service.” Even after factoring these into future adjustments, 737 recertification as we can into that derivative, meanwhile, remains unaf- Boeing is “doing everything we can Southwest says it expects to need 9-10 weeks to train Canaccord Genuity analysts see another 350 or so orders of the 777X, which means it just elon- fected for now with production main- to support our global suppliers, and its pilots—work that can begin as soon as a new regimen in jeopardy on top of the 600 lost since the start of 2019. gates that [process] a bit,” Calhoun tained at three per month. their stability remains a key watch is finalized, which may be before the aircraft is cleared “We believe the ASC 606 adjustments reflect much of says. “Certain things are going to take Boeing’s production changes mean item for us,” Calhoun says. “We’re to fly by the FAA. the current MAX uncertainty . . . but we believe that [ap- more time to work our way through more personnel reductions on top of monitoring our suppliers’ status Southwest has 264 MAXs on order, according to the proximately] another 10% of the MAX backlog could be at with the FAA. They’re going to go the 10% across-the-board cut already around the world to assess risks and Aviation Week Intelligence Network Fleet Discovery da- risk due to soft demand and the financial health of airlines” deeper than maybe they would have underway and slated to be completed to address any potential disruption. tabase. The airline currently plans to take them. The into 2021, Canaccord analyst Ken Herbert wrote in a recent or we would have assumed in earlier by year-end. The moves will hit com- We’ve been continuing payments to question is when. research note. “Much of the initial backlog pressure has certification processes.” mercial airplane design, production our more than 12,000 suppliers sup- The airline has about 60 previous-generation 737s come from leasing companies. We expect more pressure Confirming plans to end production and services personnel dispropor- porting about 1.5 million jobs.” c parked, in response to reduced demand driven by the from airlines over the next 6-12 months.” novel coronavirus pandemic, giving it flexibility to push Boeing has delivered 58 MAXs since Dec. 31, 2018, Avia- out MAX deliveries as needed. It returned five 737-700s tion Week Fleet Discovery data show—all of them in 2019 to lessors in the second quarter, giving it a total fleet size before the aircraft was grounded. MAX production was American Airlines of 737 aircraft, including the stored MAXs. halted in January 2020 so Boeing could conserve cash and U.S. Operators Shuffle will take delivery of “We will take no more than 48 [MAX] aircraft through the manage the buildup of the stored, undelivered aircraft. It 40 of its 100 MAXs end of 2021,” says Tammy Romo, Southwest’s chief financial restarted several weeks ago, and Boeing has not revealed 737 MAX Deliveries in 2025 or later. officer (CFO). “We don’t have the specifics finalized with its production-rate plans. Canaccord projects Boeing will Boeing yet, and that is by design, as the agreement gives produce 28 MAXs in the third quarter and 36 in the fourth us time and flexibility to continue monitoring demand and quarter, suggesting a notional rate of about 11 per month > BOEING’S MAX BACKLOG WAS 4,172 fleet needs for the next 18 months. At some point, we’ll need through year-end. ON JUNE 30 to adjust 2020 and 2021 deliveries down and shift delivery Delivery rates, which cannot resume until the model is JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET NEARLY 1,000 MAXS COULD BE AT RISK, INCLUDING slots by year. But we have not canceled any of our orders or cleared by the FAA and other regulators, will start more > options with Boeing over the life of the agreement.” slowly before surpassing production in early 2021 as Boeing 600 FLAGGED BY BOEING American Airlines, which has 24 MAXs in storage and focuses on clearing the stored inventory. another 76 on order, is negotiating financing and delivery Under Canaccord’s model, Boeing’s 737 program produc- Sean Broderick Washington schedules with Boeing on its outstanding MAXs, including tion—mostly MAXs but a group that includes a few business 17 scheduled to be delivered this year. American’s current jets and military variants based on the 737 Next Genera- .S. operators that have made the Boeing 737 MAX will give us more certainty in terms of fleet planning.” delivery schedule has it taking 36 MAXs by 2023 and then tion—will reach 47 per month in mid-2023. Monthly delivery a major part of their fleet plans are reshuffling U.S. major carriers Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, the remaining 40 in 2025 and beyond. rates will peak at 62 per month during the first half of 2023. Udelivery schedules to match lower demand and the Southwest Airlines and United Airlines collectively have “Our plan would be to still take all 100 aircraft we have Boeing and the FAA are in the final stages of reviewing the model’s prolonged grounding, but a lack of cancellations firm commitments for 567 MAXs, or 13% of the total de - on order over time,” CFO Derek Kerr says. “When we take MAX flight-control software and training updates and are underscores their unwavering confidence in the troubled livered and in the backlog. them is the discussion that we’re having.” seeking input from other regulators and industry. But the narrowbody. Southwest operated the most MAXs, 34, of any operator United Airlines operated 14 737-9s when the fleet was process is not expected to wrap up before the fourth quarter. “We remain committed to the MAX,” says Michael when the fleet was grounded in March 2019 following two grounded. In June, it reworked its MAX delivery schedule “Even if MAX recertification is finally achieved this fall, Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines chief operating officer. fatal accidents in five months. Work required by regula- and terms. The carrier now plans to take 40 aircraft in the Boeing faces an enormous challenge in ramping [up] pro- “We look forward to its return to service. It is our most tors to address flight-control system and training issues next two years—less than half of its planned total prior to duction and delivery volumes anywhere back near the 52 cost-effective airplane, and having it back into service is ongoing, and the timing of the model’s return remains the grounding—and none in 2022. It still has another 131 per month previously reached in 2019,” Herbert wrote. c

16 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 17 COMMERCIAL AVIATION

European OEMs Are says. Airbus has 3,200 suppliers of aircraft parts. “And we need all of them in good shape,” he says. Adapting to the New Normal They may suffer from financial pressure soon. Airbus has intensified its exchange of information to better anticipate > AIRBUS, DASSAULT, THALES AND SAFRAN ARE problems, Faury explains. The manufacturer “intervened in BY SUPPLIERS’ SIDE some cases” to help with a particular predicament, he notes. “With this level of production . . . we are in an area that is > SAFRAN FAST-TRACKS CABIN INTERIORS challenging but manageable” for the supply chain, he adds. RESTRUCTURING To support ailing small and midsize enterprises (SME), a dedicated fund has just been formed in France. Tikehau Thierry Dubois Lyon and Paris Capital subsidiary ACE Management was chosen to oversee the new ACE Aero Partenaires fund, and it has invested ith slashed production rates due to the COVID-19 €230 million ($270 million), more than the expected €100 crisis, European manufacturers are beginning million. Other contributions are anticipated from Airbus, Wto find ways to withstand the lean times ahead. Dassault, Safran, Thales and the French government, for Airbus, Dassault, Safran and Thales have for the first time a combined €630 million. The objective is to raise a total joined forces to support their supply chain financially. Mean- of €1 billion. while, Dassault and Safran, thanks to investments and re- The fund will help those SMEs that need equity capital structuring, aim to be ready for the hoped-for upturn. and may be instrumental to the overdue consolidation of Airbus is now operating in a new-normal mode, as pro- the supply chain. duction rate cuts have been implemented. “Our industrial Safran is taking the opportunity created by the ongoing system, including our supply chain, has adjusted to new corona virus crisis to accelerate the reorganization of its levels, and we are producing according to the new plan,” cabin interiors activity to make it stronger than it was be- CEO Guillaume Faury says. Drastic measures have begun fore the pandemic. “We are adapting our industrial system, to produce results, such as partly offsetting lower revenues, and implementing the plan is taking us one year instead of he points out. three,” CEO Philippe Petitcolin says. “We will be in a very comfortable position to restart.” The effort is part of the wider goal of lowering the group’s break-even point. As with other Safran businesses, jobs have been cut (11,000 globally at the group level). A number of production sites are being closed or transferred.

A. DOUMENJOU/AIRBUS A seat manufacturing facility in the UK will cease operations by year-end. Factories building Boeing 737 galleys in California and inserts (such as coffee makers) in Virginia are going to be transferred to Mexico and Thailand, respectively. In Germany, two factories will be merged. Some other work is being sent to Safran facilities in Morocco and Tunisia. When production was at a high level, it would have been difficult to make such swift moves, and they would have been progressive, Petitcolin adds. Dassault Aviation is pressing ahead with the development of new business jets and the modernization of its factories. The Falcon 6X large-cabin twinjet remains on schedule, according to Dassault. The program’s unchanged timing indicates the company’s commitment to have its future flagship ready on schedule even though the health crisis temporarily Airbus says drastic crisis measures have begun to disrupted its teams. Engineers are also proceeding with the show results. design of a future Falcon, code-named NX. The unveiling was originally expected in the first half of 2020 but has been Airbus is aligning production and delivery levels, an postponed. effort expected to be completed during the third quar - In parallel, a major effort is ongoing to digitalize an air- ter. Major adaptations were made in the second quarter, craft’s life cycle, from design to production and support. and now minor ones are made every month, Faury says. New digital tools will improve the ability to factor in manu- The A350’s monthly production has been cut to five, down facturing and maintenance starting from the design stage, from six. according to Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. Airbus aircraft deliveries are gradually resuming, with The endeavor, which extends to the company’s supply chain, 36 in June and 49 in July. “We face a difficult situation with has been delayed only slightly. uncertainty ahead, but with the decisions we have taken, “It is critical not to lower our guard,” Trappier says. “We we are adequately positioned to navigate these challenging must keep investing in those areas. We must have new air- times,” Faury says. craft when the recovery comes—otherwise, we will miss Single-aisle production is expected to ramp up again in the opportunity.” Dassault is increasing its R&D spending 2022. “It will take more time for widebodies,” Faury says. to €600 million this year. Airbus’ suppliers are in a difficult but viable situation, he Airbus and Safran are cutting R&D expenditures. c

18 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

European OEMs Are says. Airbus has 3,200 suppliers of aircraft parts. “And we Can Stepping Up COVID-19 Tests footprint at the airport increase once, need all of them in good shape,” he says. with a further expansion planned. Adapting to the New Normal They may suffer from financial pressure soon. Airbus has Help Airlines Recover? Becker points to a “smooth” opera- intensified its exchange of information to better anticipate tion so far, with waiting times of less > AIRBUS, DASSAULT, THALES AND SAFRAN ARE problems, Faury explains. The manufacturer “intervened in LUFTHANSA AND CENTOGENE HAVE SET UP A TESTING CENTER than 15 min. even after the German some cases” to help with a particular predicament, he notes. > government introduced mandatory BY SUPPLIERS’ SIDE IN FRANKFURT “With this level of production . . . we are in an area that is tests for arrivals from at-risk areas > SAFRAN FAST-TRACKS CABIN INTERIORS challenging but manageable” for the supply chain, he adds. > SOME COUNTRIES NOW REQUIRE A NEGATIVE PCR TEST FOR ARRIVALS at the beginning of August. RESTRUCTURING To support ailing small and midsize enterprises (SME), Although anyone can book a test a dedicated fund has just been formed in France. Tikehau Helen Massy-Beresford Paris and Ben Goldstein Washington at one of the centers, Lufthansa pas- Thierry Dubois Lyon and Paris Capital subsidiary ACE Management was chosen to oversee sengers have priority. Upon making the new ACE Aero Partenaires fund, and it has invested ix months after the COVID-19 Germany, have imposed testing re- their reservations, passengers receive ith slashed production rates due to the COVID-19 €230 million ($270 million), more than the expected €100 pandemic ﬁ rst began to wreak quirements on international arrivals. a link to book a test, along with infor- crisis, European manufacturers are beginning million. Other contributions are anticipated from Airbus, Shavoc on the global air trans- At Munich Airport, Medicare o ers mation about whether their destina- Wto find ways to withstand the lean times ahead. Dassault, Safran, Thales and the French government, for port sector, airlines are looking for the opportunity to be tested at the air- tion requires a test and a QR code to Airbus, Dassault, Safran and Thales have for the first time a combined €630 million. The objective is to raise a total ways to bolster their recoveries from port’s medical center. Lufthansa is take to the testing center once they joined forces to support their supply chain financially. Mean- of €1 billion. the unprecedented crisis it has also discussing how it can partner with have paid for the test. while, Dassault and Safran, thanks to investments and re- The fund will help those SMEs that need equity capital caused—and many are looking into an existing testing center in Vienna Lufthansa is also one of four major structuring, aim to be ready for the hoped-for upturn. and may be instrumental to the overdue consolidation of rapidly evolving coronavirus testing in and considering more testing facilities airline groups operating on the nor- Airbus is now operating in a new-normal mode, as pro- the supply chain. a bid to boost traveler conﬁ dence. at other airports in Germany. mally lucrative transatlantic sector duction rate cuts have been implemented. “Our industrial Safran is taking the opportunity created by the ongoing pushing for more testing: In a joint let- system, including our supply chain, has adjusted to new corona virus crisis to accelerate the reorganization of its ter with International Airlines Group levels, and we are producing according to the new plan,” cabin interiors activity to make it stronger than it was be- (IAG), United Airlines and American CEO Guillaume Faury says. Drastic measures have begun fore the pandemic. “We are adapting our industrial system, Airlines, it wrote on July 21 to the Eu- to produce results, such as partly offsetting lower revenues, and implementing the plan is taking us one year instead of ropean Union and the U.S. government he points out. three,” CEO Philippe Petitcolin says. “We will be in a very calling for them to introduce a com- comfortable position to restart.” The effort is part of the mon COVID-19 testing program that wider goal of lowering the group’s break-even point. would allow airlines to restore a more As with other Safran businesses, jobs have been cut substantial transatlantic network. (11,000 globally at the group level). A number of production “In addition to all the significant sites are being closed or transferred. and unprecedented actions that gov-

A. DOUMENJOU/AIRBUS A seat manufacturing facility in the UK will cease opera- ernments and airlines are taking to tions by year-end. Factories building Boeing 737 galleys in prevent the spread of the COVID-19 California and inserts (such as coffee makers) in Virginia are virus, a coordinated COVID-19 test- going to be transferred to Mexico and Thailand, respectively. ing program could be key to provid- In Germany, two factories will be merged. Some other work ing conﬁ dence to permit services to is being sent to Safran facilities in Morocco and Tunisia. resume without quarantine require- When production was at a high level, it would have been ments or other entry restrictions,” difficult to make such swift moves, and they would have stated the letter from the four CEOs, been progressive, Petitcolin adds. Lufthansa’s Carsten Spohr, IAG’s Wil- The Lufthansa-Centogene testing center in Frankfurt Dassault Aviation is pressing ahead with the development lie Walsh, United’s Scott Kirby and of new business jets and the modernization of its factories. has a capacity of 12,000 tests per day. American’s Doug Parker . The Falcon 6X large-cabin twinjet remains on schedule, ac- UANSA The airlines are now “in discus- cording to Dassault. The program’s unchanged timing indi- For example, Lufthansa has teamed The centers aim to provide fast, sions” with European and U.S. o¦ cials cates the company’s commitment to have its future flagship in Frankfurt with German biotech com- convenient tests for passengers arriv- on the subject. “It’s a bit early to say ready on schedule even though the health crisis temporarily pany Centogene and airport operator ing from at-risk areas, those bound for we are optimistic, but we are pushing Airbus says drastic crisis measures have begun to disrupted its teams. Engineers are also proceeding with the Fraport to o er passengers COVID-19 destinations that require testing be- for it as far as we can,” Becker says. show results. design of a future Falcon, code-named NX. The unveiling polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fore entry, such as China and the UAE, In response to a request for com- was originally expected in the first half of 2020 but has been tests. The dedicated walk-in testing as well as simply providing reassur- ment on the airlines’ letter, a European Airbus is aligning production and delivery levels, an postponed. center at Frankfurt Airport has been ance for would-be travelers wanting Commission spokesperson points to the effort expected to be completed during the third quar - In parallel, a major effort is ongoing to digitalize an air- operating since the end of June and is to board their aircraft knowing they European Union Aviation Safety Agen- ter. Major adaptations were made in the second quarter, craft’s life cycle, from design to production and support. performing about 2,000 tests a day. are not carrying the disease. cy and European Center for Disease and now minor ones are made every month, Faury says. New digital tools will improve the ability to factor in manu- “Testing for us is one of the most In Frankfurt, tests for arrivals in Prevention and Control aviation safety The A350’s monthly production has been cut to five, down facturing and maintenance starting from the design stage, important instruments to bring back Germany from at-risk areas are free protocol, which notes that the evidence from six. according to Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. the possibility of traveling conﬁ dently,” of charge, while outbound passengers base behind some countries’ existing Airbus aircraft deliveries are gradually resuming, with The endeavor, which extends to the company’s supply chain, says Bjoern Becker, senior director of can pay €59 ($70) for a throat-swab requirements for a negative PCR test 36 in June and 49 in July. “We face a difficult situation with has been delayed only slightly. product management for ground and test with results in 4-6 hr. or €139 for for travelers is unclear and that antigen uncertainty ahead, but with the decisions we have taken, “It is critical not to lower our guard,” Trappier says. “We digital services at Lufthansa Group. a fast-track test with a 2-3- hr. wait for tests have so far not proved reliable. we are adequately positioned to navigate these challenging must keep investing in those areas. We must have new air- He explains that when it was begun, results, all of which are delivered in “At the time of writing, no rapid an- times,” Faury says. craft when the recovery comes—otherwise, we will miss the testing project was “a bet on the secure digital format. tigen tests have been clinically evaluat- Single-aisle production is expected to ramp up again in the opportunity.” Dassault is increasing its R&D spending future”—one that has paid o as sev- The testing center at Frankfurt now ed and their performance validated in 2022. “It will take more time for widebodies,” Faury says. to €600 million this year. eral countries, including China, the has a maximum capacity of 12,000 PCR di erent settings and for di erent pur- Airbus’ suppliers are in a difficult but viable situation, he Airbus and Safran are cutting R&D expenditures. c United Arab Emirates (UAE) and tests per day and has already seen its poses,” the protocol states. “All testing

18 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 1 COMMERCIAL AVIATION

should take into account the quality of CENTOGENE the test and specimen as well as the epidemiological situation to exclude the possibility of a false result.” While the risk of false negative results is of more concern in terms of public health, false positives could also lead to unnecessary disruption. “If a country decides to include laboratory testing (e.g., a nucleic acid detection test before departure) as part of the exclusion policy for travelers, this should be communicated to incoming travelers well before their departure date, so that they have sufficient time to plan testing,” the protocol states. “When deciding whether to include testing as a condition for travel, EU member states should take into consid- state’s airports stopped administering Test results can be ready in as eration the limitations, including cost, the tests and is giving travelers the little as 2-3 hr. at the Lufthansa- testing policy and the availability of option to either submit a negative test Centogene center. tests in the other EU/EEA [European result within 72 hr. of arrival or quar- Economic Area] countries.” antine for 14 days upon entry. by rapid antigen tests—these detect In many member states, testing is In New York, John F. Kennedy Inter- the presence of an active COVID-19 not readily available or foreseen for national Airport (JFK) partnered with infection within the nasal cavity and asymptomatic persons or for those XpresSpa—a large operator of spa re- can be carried out quickly with results with mild respiratory symptoms. tail services at U.S. airports—to set up available almost immediately. However, The International Air Transport a pilot COVID-19 testing program in there are concerns over the accuracy Association also has echoed that cau- the arrivals area of Terminal 4. So of the results—in particular, the possi- tion, pointing out that tests should far, JFK is only able to screen about bility of false negative results. be fast and accurate if governments 500 airport workers per day, however, “Antigen testing is something we’re choose to introduce them and that and it is unclear whether the airport looking at right now to see if it is fea- if they are mandatory, passengers will eventually expand the testing to sible for the future,” Frascogna says. should not be charged for them. include passengers. XpresSpa execu- “We’re talking to a number of testing In the U.S., passenger testing for tives have said they want to replicate companies about that. We’re looking COVID-19 has been minimal to date. the program at other airports if it to see if we can do something as part Both the Transportation Security proves successful. of our check-in process that makes Administration and Customs and As the evolution of the virus changes things easier for the passenger and Border Protection remain wary of rapidly, so do regulations. Individual the airline.” Any move toward intro- getting involved in testing, while air- airlines, airports and countries are es- ducing a new testing process at the lines and most airports have been tablishing their own initiatives in a bid airport would require UAE govern- hesitant to act without federal sup- to increase confidence to drive demand. ment approval, Frascogna adds. port. Only a few small-scale efforts The UAE now requires passengers Lufthansa’s Becker also foresees have been independently rolled out traveling to some destinations, arriv- rapid developments in testing tech- at a handful of locations. ing or in transit, to obtain a negative nology in the coming months. Since late May, U.S. citizens re - PCR swab certificate to be carried out “It’s dynamic and fast, like smart- turning from restricted countries within 96 hr. of their flight. phone development—maybe even have been required to arrive at one “We are doing everything possible to faster,” he says. “I’m pretty sure that of 15 designated airports, where pas- communicate with passengers to make by the end of the year, we’ll have sig- sengers are subjected to enhanced sure they are aware of the requirement nificantly faster tests that also pro- screening, including questions about and where they can go to do this,” says duce good results.” medical history, current condition and Vincent Frascogna, Etihad Airways While quick tests are already avail- contact information. Afterward, pas- vice president for the Americas. able, they are sometimes lacking in sengers are directed to their final des- Beyond the new requirement, he accuracy and scalability, Becker says. tinations and immediately required also can see the benefits of testing “We need more development and fast- to self-quarantine in accordance with in terms of customer confidence. “If er tests, and they will come. By the end guidelines from the Centers for Dis- a customer has some reluctance to of the year, I would say, [results will be ease Control and Prevention. travel because of being on an aircraft available] well below an hour.” c Alaska is the only U.S. state that surrounded by other guests, testing has administered COVID-19 testing provides that additional peace of for out-of-state arrivals at its primary mind,” Frascogna says. Check 6 Aviation Week editors discuss Euro ports of entry in Anchorage, Fairbanks The Abu Dhabi-based airline also is pean and U.S. airline COVID19 passenger and Juneau. As of Aug. 11, though, the looking into the possibilities opened up screening efforts: AviationWeek.com/podcast

20 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION should take into account the quality of CENTOGENE COVID-19 Second-Wave Risk The mainland Chinese airlines the test and specimen as well as the have been piling on domestic capacity epidemiological situation to exclude May Hinder Asia-Pacific Rebound ahead of demand, in part because most the possibility of a false result.” of them, as state companies, are polit- While the risk of false negative re- AIRLINES RESTORE DOMESTIC FLIGHTS BUT INTERNATIONAL LAGS ically bound to not lay o employees. sults is of more concern in terms of > Japan is another country that saw public health, false positives could also > RESURGENCE OF CORONAVIRUS CASES COULD SPUR IMPOSITION OF domestic capacity bounce back quickly. lead to unnecessary disruption. INCREASED RESTRICTIONS At its low point in late May and early “If a country decides to include labo- June, Japan Airlines (JAL) was operat- ratory testing (e.g., a nucleic acid detec- Adrian Schofield Auckland ing only 28% of its domestic fl ights. But tion test before departure) as part of following the removal of internal travel the exclusion policy for travelers, this he swift recovery of many do- turned to normal levels following an restrictions on June 19, the carrier’s op- should be communicated to incoming mestic networks has been a almost complete shutdown in April. erational rate rose to 68% in the second travelers well before their departure Twelcome bright spot for the Vietnam Airlines and VietJet restored half of July. Demand has also increased date, so that they have sufficient time Asia-Pacifi c airline industry. Recent all of their domestic routes by June, but not at the same rate as capacity. to plan testing,” the protocol states. developments in some markets, how- and VietJet even expanded its net- A spike in coronavirus cases, partic- “When deciding whether to include ever, show that even the most promis- work with eight new routes. ularly in Tokyo, has put this rebound testing as a condition for travel, EU ing tra c rebounds can be threatened A resurgence in coronavirus cas- at risk. Last month, JAL was planning member states should take into consid- state’s airports stopped administering Test results can be ready in as by spikes in COVID-19 cases. es starting in late July, however, has to boost domestic fl ights to 90-93% of eration the limitations, including cost, the tests and is giving travelers the little as 2-3 hr. at the Lufthansa- In the Asia-Pacifi c region, the pace caused the country to suspend domes- its normal schedule in August, which testing policy and the availability of option to either submit a negative test Centogene center. of domestic demand recovery is closely tic travel to Da Nang. This setback has includes a holiday travel period. But tests in the other EU/EEA [European result within 72 hr. of arrival or quar- linked to individual countries’ progress had signifi cant ramifi cations for air- the airline has since trimmed the fore- Economic Area] countries.” antine for 14 days upon entry. by rapid antigen tests—these detect in controlling infection rates. While line demand and capacity because it cast to 72% for most of August and In many member states, testing is In New York, John F. Kennedy Inter- the presence of an active COVID-19 international tra c remains sparse, is Vietnam’s third-largest city and a 66% in early September. not readily available or foreseen for national Airport (JFK) partnered with infection within the nasal cavity and several airlines have been able to restore popular leisure destination. All Nippon Airways was operating asymptomatic persons or for those XpresSpa—a large operator of spa re- can be carried out quickly with results most of their pre-COVID-19 domestic In China, domestic capacity has just over half of its domestic fl ights at with mild respiratory symptoms. tail services at U.S. airports—to set up available almost immediately. However, fl ight schedules. But in some countries, nearly recovered to the same level as the end of July and was expecting to The International Air Transport a pilot COVID-19 testing program in there are concerns over the accuracy these domestic capacity rebounds are a year ago. It reached 92% as early as increase to 85-95% in August. It has Association also has echoed that cau- the arrivals area of Terminal 4. So of the results—in particular, the possi- slowing or reversing due to sec- mid-June, but a COVID-19 outbreak in now scaled back to 77% for the month. tion, pointing out that tests should far, JFK is only able to screen about bility of false negative results. ond-wave coronavirus outbreaks. Beijing around that time quickly drove So far, the Japanese government has be fast and accurate if governments 500 airport workers per day, however, “Antigen testing is something we’re One of the region’s major success that fi gure lower again. Recovery re- resisted resuming domestic travel re- choose to introduce them and that and it is unclear whether the airport looking at right now to see if it is fea- stories has been in Vietnam, where sumed in July. Another outbreak in strictions that could stall economic re- if they are mandatory, passengers will eventually expand the testing to sible for the future,” Frascogna says. domestic networks essentially re- Xinjiang has had less e ect. covery. The government even launched should not be charged for them. include passengers. XpresSpa execu- “We’re talking to a number of testing In the U.S., passenger testing for tives have said they want to replicate companies about that. We’re looking COVID-19 has been minimal to date. the program at other airports if it to see if we can do something as part Vietnam Airlines and VietJet are among the Asian carriers that Both the Transportation Security proves successful. of our check-in process that makes have achieved strong recoveries in their domestic networks. Administration and Customs and As the evolution of the virus changes things easier for the passenger and Border Protection remain wary of rapidly, so do regulations. Individual the airline.” Any move toward intro- getting involved in testing, while air- airlines, airports and countries are es- ducing a new testing process at the lines and most airports have been tablishing their own initiatives in a bid airport would require UAE govern- hesitant to act without federal sup- to increase confidence to drive demand. ment approval, Frascogna adds. port. Only a few small-scale efforts The UAE now requires passengers Lufthansa’s Becker also foresees have been independently rolled out traveling to some destinations, arriv- rapid developments in testing tech- at a handful of locations. ing or in transit, to obtain a negative nology in the coming months. Since late May, U.S. citizens re - PCR swab certificate to be carried out “It’s dynamic and fast, like smart- turning from restricted countries within 96 hr. of their flight. phone development—maybe even have been required to arrive at one “We are doing everything possible to faster,” he says. “I’m pretty sure that of 15 designated airports, where pas- communicate with passengers to make by the end of the year, we’ll have sig- sengers are subjected to enhanced sure they are aware of the requirement nificantly faster tests that also pro- screening, including questions about and where they can go to do this,” says duce good results.” medical history, current condition and Vincent Frascogna, Etihad Airways While quick tests are already avail- contact information. Afterward, pas- vice president for the Americas. able, they are sometimes lacking in sengers are directed to their final des- Beyond the new requirement, he accuracy and scalability, Becker says. tinations and immediately required also can see the benefits of testing “We need more development and fast- to self-quarantine in accordance with in terms of customer confidence. “If er tests, and they will come. By the end guidelines from the Centers for Dis- a customer has some reluctance to of the year, I would say, [results will be ease Control and Prevention. travel because of being on an aircraft available] well below an hour.” c Alaska is the only U.S. state that surrounded by other guests, testing has administered COVID-19 testing provides that additional peace of for out-of-state arrivals at its primary mind,” Frascogna says. Check 6 Aviation Week editors discuss Euro ports of entry in Anchorage, Fairbanks The Abu Dhabi-based airline also is pean and U.S. airline COVID19 passenger looking into the possibilities opened up screening efforts: and Juneau. As of Aug. 11, though, the AviationWeek.com/podcast NGENGETT GE NC

20 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 2 COMMERCIAL AVIATION

a domestic tourism campaign to sub- These travel corridors are still sub- that aviation organizations have contin- sidize local travel. This attracted criti- ject to varying restrictions and have ued to revise downward their near-term cism from some quarters, and the gov- been slow to proliferate. A so-called predictions for international traffic. ernment decided to exclude the Tokyo travel bubble between New Zealand “Our current view is that the recov- area from the tourism campaign. and Australia has been discussed, but ery trajectory will be slower than initial- Second-wave spikes in COVID-19 the resurgence in infections in parts ly projected,” SIA says, which will hurt cases have led to the tightening of of Australia has pushed that prospect its revenue in fiscal 2020-21. The carrier travel restrictions in other Asia- further back. predicts its capacity will be less than Pacific countries. In Australia, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) says prog- half of pre-COVID-19 levels by the end surge in infections has prompted some ress on removing global border controls of its fiscal year in March 2021. c states to impose border closures and and travel restrictions has so far been quarantines for domestic travelers. In less than expected. The carrier notes —With Bradley Perrett in Beijing response to those moves, Qantas and Virgin Australia have cut back inter- state domestic flights. The Philippines prohibited flights Chinese Cities Will Again to and from Manila from Aug. 4 through at least Aug. 18 because of a Put Money in Airlines coronavirus resurgence there. Domes- tic flights are still traveling between WUXI AIMS TO BUY 51% OF RUILI AIRLINES other cities, but Manila is the coun- > try’s most important market. > FUZHOU WANTS TO STRENGTHEN FUZHOU AIRLINES In India, domestic travel is also restricted due to the coronavirus. India’s Bradley Perrett Beijing government allowed internal travel to resume on May 25, although it capped wo more Chinese municipalities Boosting local air services is always flights at 33% of normal levels before are moving to invest in airlines, the main objective of a Chinese local raising the limit to 45%. The country’s Tprompting a further retreat of government investing in an airline. aviation minister recently noted that private ownership in the country’s Wuxi says it has signed a framework heavier restrictions on flight numbers commercial aviation industry. As usu- agreement with the private owner of imposed by some large city airports al in China, the transactions should Ruili Airlines for a transfer of shares are preventing domestic capacity increase the airlines’ capital, enlarge in the carrier to a municipal company. from matching growing demand. their fleets and sharpen their focus on The intended shareholding size and New Zealand has been one of the serving local interests. date for completion of the deal have most effective countries in controlling Jiangsu and Shanghai Airports the outbreak; however, a new cluster Jiangsu and Shanghai Airports of community transmission cases in Auckland sparked a temporary return of travel restrictions in that city from AN Aug. 12 as a precaution. Before the latest flareup, Air New Zealand said its domestic demand returned faster than it had expected. Naning uou The carrier was planning to operate Wuxi angai 55% of its domestic schedule in Au- unan ongiao gust, but on July 24, it decided to uoang Suzhou boost the August rate to 70% because of higher demand. Asia-Pacific international markets angai continue to lag far behind domestic re- uong 100 km ANA coveries. Most carriers have been able 100 mi. to resume only a small fraction of their international services because govern- Note: Some Jiangsu airports omitted. Airport symbols are scaled in proportion to passenger traffic. ments have been reluctant to ease border closures and quarantine measures. One of the carriers, Ruili Airlines, not been disclosed, but an industry A few bilateral agreements enabling has been fully private and has had no source says the city will take 51% of essential travel have been established by relationship with the city that will buy the six-year-old airline. Asian countries. Such “travel corridors” it, Wuxi. The other, Hainan Airlines Ruili Airlines, named after a city near were formed for certain passengers on subsidiary Fuzhou Airlines, is already the border with Myanmar, is owned by China-South Korea and China-Singa- partly owned by the government of Yunnan Jingcheng, a conglomerate pore routes. More recently, India has Fuzhou, where it is based—but that with business interests in real estate, followed with a handful of bilateral government wants its local carrier to be hotels and tourism. The carrier has 20 agreements with other countries. stronger and will pay to strengthen it. Boeing 737-700s and 737-800s.

22 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION a domestic tourism campaign to sub- These travel corridors are still sub- that aviation organizations have contin- Private ownership in Chinese com- not just for Wuxi but for prosperous Farther south, the city government sidize local travel. This attracted criti- ject to varying restrictions and have ued to revise downward their near-term mercial aviation has been in retreat Jiangsu province, to which the city be- of Fuzhou is moving to take a larger cism from some quarters, and the gov- been slow to proliferate. A so-called predictions for international traffic. for several years. Airlines belonging longs, the municipality says. stake in Fuzhou Airlines; an indus- ernment decided to exclude the Tokyo travel bubble between New Zealand “Our current view is that the recov- to HNA Group’s Hainan Airlines have Jiangsu has long wanted a local air- try source says Hainan Airlines is area from the tourism campaign. and Australia has been discussed, but ery trajectory will be slower than initial- been receiving increased investments line, other industry sources say. It is willing to consider selling down its Second-wave spikes in COVID-19 the resurgence in infections in parts ly projected,” SIA says, which will hurt from the cities or provinces in which not satisfied with the services offered 60% holding. cases have led to the tightening of of Australia has pushed that prospect its revenue in fiscal 2020-21. The carrier they are based. Hainan Airlines is by the branch company of China East- Fuzhou says it will speed up a share- travel restrictions in other Asia- further back. predicts its capacity will be less than only partly owned by the Hainan ern Airlines that is based at Nanjing holding reorganization of Fuzhou Air- Pacific countries. In Australia, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) says prog- half of pre-COVID-19 levels by the end provincial government but—as HNA Lukou International, the airport of the lines, intending to build up the carrier surge in infections has prompted some ress on removing global border controls of its fiscal year in March 2021. c struggles with debt—is now under provincial capital, Nanjing. and, specifically, increase its capaci- states to impose border closures and and travel restrictions has so far been official control. The problem with building up air ty and profitability. This can only quarantines for domestic travelers. In less than expected. The carrier notes —With Bradley Perrett in Beijing In December 2019, the Qingdao services in Jiangsu—and especially mean providing more capital, which response to those moves, Qantas and city government said it would buy southern Jiangsu—is that the province for a Chinese city would usually be Virgin Australia have cut back inter- privately owned Qingdao Airlines. is just north of Shanghai, China’s larg- equity investment. state domestic flights. In the same month, the government est city. Wuxi is only 100 km (60 mi.) Expansion of the airline will pre- The Philippines prohibited flights Chinese Cities Will Again of Hunan bought 26% of Air Travel, from Shanghai Hongqiao Internation- sumably help Fuzhou Changle Interna- to and from Manila from Aug. 4 leading that private airline to move its al Airport, to which it is connected by tional Airport achieve a goal set by the through at least Aug. 18 because of a Put Money in Airlines headquarters to the province’s capital, a 350-kph (220-mph) direct rail link, city of handling 18 million passengers coronavirus resurgence there. Domes- Changsha, from Kunming. and it is only 150 km from Shanghai in 2022, up from 14.8 million in 2019, tic flights are still traveling between WUXI AIMS TO BUY 51% OF RUILI AIRLINES Wuxi is hinting that Ruili Airlines, Pudong International Airport. Suzhou, when the facility ranked 28th in China. other cities, but Manila is the coun- > also based in Kunming, will move its which almost forms a conurbation with Fuzhou, on China’s southeastern try’s most important market. > FUZHOU WANTS TO STRENGTHEN FUZHOU AIRLINES headquarters as well, since the city Wuxi, is even closer to Hongqiao on the coast, is the provincial capital of In India, domestic travel is also re- says the acquisition supports a local same rail line. Fujian, the other main city of which stricted due to the coronavirus. India’s Bradley Perrett Beijing strategy that includes building a Nanjing Lukou International, Chi- is Xiamen. The cities are moderately government allowed internal travel to “headquarters economy.” No decision na’s 11th busiest airport, is 140 km from well-developed and in economic com- resume on May 25, although it capped wo more Chinese municipalities Boosting local air services is always to move the headquarters has been Wuxi in the other direction (see map). petition with each other. flights at 33% of normal levels before are moving to invest in airlines, the main objective of a Chinese local made, but the possibility is there, the This competition limits opportuni- Xiamen is the home of Xiamen Air- raising the limit to 45%. The country’s Tprompting a further retreat of government investing in an airline. source says. ties for Sunan Shuofang. Although the lines, which has 157 aircraft. Fuzhou aviation minister recently noted that private ownership in the country’s Wuxi says it has signed a framework “Owning a local airline is important airport lies between Wuxi and Suzhou, Airlines has just 15 aircraft, all Boeing heavier restrictions on flight numbers commercial aviation industry. As usu- agreement with the private owner of for Wuxi accelerating development of which are well-developed and have a 737s; it began flying in 2014, a typical imposed by some large city airports al in China, the transactions should Ruili Airlines for a transfer of shares an air hub,” the city says, presumably total population of about 18 million, example of an airline that a Chinese are preventing domestic capacity increase the airlines’ capital, enlarge in the carrier to a municipal company. referring to the local airport, Sunan it ranked only 42nd among Chinese local government wanted to be set from matching growing demand. their fleets and sharpen their focus on The intended shareholding size and Shuofang International. Ruili Airlines airports by traffic in 2019, handling 8 up. The city currently owns 20% of New Zealand has been one of the serving local interests. date for completion of the deal have will fill a gap in air transportation million passengers. the shares. c most effective countries in controlling Jiangsu and Shanghai Airports the outbreak; however, a new cluster Jiangsu and Shanghai Airports of community transmission cases in U.S. Ultra-Low-Cost Frontier Airlines warned it will furlough up to Auckland sparked a temporary return 35% of its pilots and flight attendants after of travel restrictions in that city from AN Carriers Brace for federal payroll support dries up in October. Aug. 12 as a precaution. Before the latest flareup, Air New Rocky Autumn Zealand said its domestic demand returned faster than it had expected. Naning WORSENING LEISURE TRAVEL OUTLOOK DAMPENS uou > The carrier was planning to operate Wuxi angai ULCC SENTIMENT 55% of its domestic schedule in Au- unan ongiao gust, but on July 24, it decided to uoang ALLEGIANT, SPIRIT AND FRONTIER REVERT TO Suzhou > boost the August rate to 70% because SCHEDULE CUTS AND WARN OF POSSIBLE of higher demand. LAYOFFS OR FURLOUGHS Asia-Pacific international markets angai continue to lag far behind domestic re- uong 100 km ANA Ben Goldstein Washington JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET coveries. Most carriers have been able 100 mi. to resume only a small fraction of their merican ultra-low-cost carriers attempted to capi- summer travel peak at little more than a quarter of last international services because govern- Note: Some Jiangsu airports omitted. Airport symbols are scaled in proportion to passenger traffic. talize on this summer’s modest rebound in domes- year’s level. ments have been reluctant to ease bor- Atic air travel, but sentiment soured after top leisure Prior to the post-July 4 breakdown in demand, ultra-low- der closures and quarantine measures. One of the carriers, Ruili Airlines, not been disclosed, but an industry destinations became COVID-19 hot spots in July. cost carriers (ULCC) were well positioned relative to larg- A few bilateral agreements enabling has been fully private and has had no source says the city will take 51% of Domestic passenger volumes bottomed out below 95% of er carriers due to their domestic leisure profiles, low-cost essential travel have been established by relationship with the city that will buy the six-year-old airline. 2019 levels in mid-April before gradually recovering to about structures and greater schedule flexibility. Las Vegas-based Asian countries. Such “travel corridors” it, Wuxi. The other, Hainan Airlines Ruili Airlines, named after a city near 25% in June, with much of that traffic headed to domestic Allegiant Air, for example, managed to operate more than were formed for certain passengers on subsidiary Fuzhou Airlines, is already the border with Myanmar, is owned by outdoor leisure destinations such as beaches, mountains 50% of its overall schedule in the 2020 second quarter— China-South Korea and China-Singa- partly owned by the government of Yunnan Jingcheng, a conglomerate and national parks. more than any other airline—and its 6% passenger share pore routes. More recently, India has Fuzhou, where it is based—but that with business interests in real estate, But the return to growth proved to be short-lived, as a during the three-month period was three times higher than followed with a handful of bilateral government wants its local carrier to be hotels and tourism. The carrier has 20 surge in novel coronavirus cases across the U.S. Sun Belt the 2% it normally captures. agreements with other countries. stronger and will pay to strengthen it. Boeing 737-700s and 737-800s. caused traffic to flatline in July and August, capping the “Our model was built around flexing capacity up and

22 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 23 COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines have returned to cutting schedules after leisure sentiment soured due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET

down to meet di ering seasonal demand levels,” Allegiant of its total workforce, to brace for potential furloughs once President and CEO Maurice Gallagher said during the federal payroll support dries up on Oct. 1. company’s second-quarter earnings call on July 29. “This “I’m hopeful that . . . we can fi nd enough fl exibility to quarter proved to be the ultimate test of the model, and I minimize the number of any furloughs or layo s, but we believe our results highlight its inherent strength.” must prepare for all outcomes,” Christie said. Emboldened by nearly 10 consecutive weeks of increas- Allegiant’s highly seasonal schedule normally drops by ing tra c volumes in the U.S., Allegiant and South Florida- half between July and September, and as forward bookings based Spirit Airlines restored 91% and 82% of overall ca- soften due to rising COVID-19 cases, management also ex- pacity, respectively, during their peaks, at a time when pects a tough third quarter. The leisure carrier has shaved the country’s large network carriers were all operating its September schedule by 20 points compared with previ- between 25% and 40% of their overall schedules. Allegiant ous plans and is considering furloughing up to 250 pilots and and Spirit even briefl y managed to achieve break-even cash 220 nonunionized administrative workers this fall. burn during June, while the Big Three —American Airlines, “Our focus continues to be on driving down labor costs Delta Air Lines and United Airlines—were simultaneously and improving productivity—doing more with [fewer] em- burning more than $100 million per day combined. ployees in all aspects of the organization,” said Scott Sheldon, Spirit initially played the recovery conservatively, slash- Allegiant’s chief operating o cer and chief fi nancial o cer. ing its schedule by 95% in May, before gradually building Denver-based ULCC Frontier Airlines has also been cut- up to 21% of its year-ago level in June. Encouraged by im- ting its August and September schedules and now plans to pressive 79% load factors and improved booking trends, keep capacity for August and September at 55-60% of last the carrier made a big bet for July, nearly quadrupling year’s level. The privately owned airline recently warned its overall capacity from the prior month. The aggressive 35% of its pilots and fl ight attendants about possible fur- ramp-up backfi red, however, and the surge in COVID-19 loughs following the expiration of federal payroll support. cases across its South Florida stronghold left Spirit with Despite the di cult period ahead for ULCCs, their rel- excess capacity. Management has since returned to cutting atively strong showing during the summer peak suggests mode and plans to reduce capacity to 65% in August and they may be primed to succeed once the latest COVID-19 about 45% in September. surge ebbs, potentially setting them up for an outsize per- “With the recent barrage of headlines regarding the in- formance during future leisure travel seasons. crease in coronavirus cases, we’ve seen another setback in The segment should also receive a tailwind from shifting demand, and we expect the rest of the summer to remain customer demographic trends during the pandemic. Air- challenging,” Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie said lines are seeing younger passengers with lower household during the airline’s second-quarter earnings call July 23. incomes on average, which should bode well for low-cost op- In the meantime, Spirit’s average daily cash burn is erators that cater to cost-conscious and infrequent travelers. deteriorating; management estimates daily losses of $3-4 “When demand for leisure travel rebounds and stabiliz- million, marking a substantial weakening from June’s nearly es, as evidenced by our June results, our leading low-cost break-even level. In an attempt to rein in labor costs, the structure positions us well to be among the fi rst to return company has warned 2,500 employees, representing 20-30% to profi tability,” Christie said. c

2 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Fleet Discovery Military

Discover Opportunity with Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines have returned to cutting schedules Unparalleled Tracking of after leisure sentiment soured due to a surge in Global Military Fleets COVID-19 cases. JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery Military down to meet di ering seasonal demand levels,” Allegiant of its total workforce, to brace for potential furloughs once Edition President and CEO Maurice Gallagher said during the federal payroll support dries up on Oct. 1. simplifi es tracking global military aircraft and company’s second-quarter earnings call on July 29. “This “I’m hopeful that . . . we can fi nd enough fl exibility to engines — piloted and unpiloted, fi xed wing and rotary quarter proved to be the ultimate test of the model, and I minimize the number of any furloughs or layo s, but we — so you can discover new opportunities to grow your believe our results highlight its inherent strength.” must prepare for all outcomes,” Christie said. business. Emboldened by nearly 10 consecutive weeks of increas- Allegiant’s highly seasonal schedule normally drops by ing tra c volumes in the U.S., Allegiant and South Florida- half between July and September, and as forward bookings ● Featuring over 70,000 aircraft and 110,000 based Spirit Airlines restored 91% and 82% of overall ca- soften due to rising COVID-19 cases, management also ex- pacity, respectively, during their peaks, at a time when pects a tough third quarter. The leisure carrier has shaved engines in service with more than 400 military the country’s large network carriers were all operating its September schedule by 20 points compared with previ- operators. between 25% and 40% of their overall schedules. Allegiant ous plans and is considering furloughing up to 250 pilots and and Spirit even briefl y managed to achieve break-even cash 220 nonunionized administrative workers this fall. ● Searchable and fi lterable by aircraft, engine, burn during June, while the Big Three —American Airlines, “Our focus continues to be on driving down labor costs Delta Air Lines and United Airlines—were simultaneously and improving productivity—doing more with [fewer] em- category, mission, lift type, weight class and burning more than $100 million per day combined. ployees in all aspects of the organization,” said Scott Sheldon, more. Spirit initially played the recovery conservatively, slash- Allegiant’s chief operating o cer and chief fi nancial o cer. See for yourself ing its schedule by 95% in May, before gradually building Denver-based ULCC Frontier Airlines has also been cut- how Fleet Discovery Military can up to 21% of its year-ago level in June. Encouraged by im- ting its August and September schedules and now plans to help you track aircraft and engines so you never pressive 79% load factors and improved booking trends, keep capacity for August and September at 55-60% of last miss a business opportunity. the carrier made a big bet for July, nearly quadrupling year’s level. The privately owned airline recently warned its overall capacity from the prior month. The aggressive 35% of its pilots and fl ight attendants about possible fur- ramp-up backfi red, however, and the surge in COVID-19 loughs following the expiration of federal payroll support. cases across its South Florida stronghold left Spirit with Despite the di cult period ahead for ULCCs, their rel- excess capacity. Management has since returned to cutting atively strong showing during the summer peak suggests To learn more, go to mode and plans to reduce capacity to 65% in August and they may be primed to succeed once the latest COVID-19 about 45% in September. surge ebbs, potentially setting them up for an outsize per- aviationweek.com/FDMilitary “With the recent barrage of headlines regarding the in- formance during future leisure travel seasons. crease in coronavirus cases, we’ve seen another setback in The segment should also receive a tailwind from shifting Or call: demand, and we expect the rest of the summer to remain customer demographic trends during the pandemic. Air- Anne McMahon +1 646 291 6353 challenging,” Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie said lines are seeing younger passengers with lower household Thom Clayton during the airline’s second-quarter earnings call July 23. incomes on average, which should bode well for low-cost op- +44 (0) 20 7017 6106 In the meantime, Spirit’s average daily cash burn is erators that cater to cost-conscious and infrequent travelers. deteriorating; management estimates daily losses of $3-4 “When demand for leisure travel rebounds and stabiliz- million, marking a substantial weakening from June’s nearly es, as evidenced by our June results, our leading low-cost break-even level. In an attempt to rein in labor costs, the structure positions us well to be among the fi rst to return company has warned 2,500 employees, representing 20-30% to profi tability,” Christie said. c

2 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE > AFRL sponsors Skyborg p. 28 Sixth-gen fighter engines p. 30 UK future fighter factory p. 31 Spain’s Airbus jobs p. 32 Key to F/A-18 readiness p. 33 KF-X composites p. 35 F-35 logistics system p. 36 UK rotorcraft challenges p. 37

Missile Defense Agency Reveals us to global tracking capability, and then getting that into the fire control Hypersonic Defense Vision system. That’s the world that we need to move to.” THAAD AND SM-3 VARIANTS EMERGE AS OPTIONS The MDA has already defined the > major elements of the hypersonic de- > HYPERSONIC DEFENSE FUNDING REMAINS UNCERTAIN fense architecture, which came into sharper focus during the symposium. Steve Trimble Washington The satellite constellation is the Hy- personic and Ballistic Tracking Space newly released vision by the HGVs as they reenter the atmosphere Sensor (HBTSS), which is set to enter U.S. Missile Defense Agency and begin a long, winding glide at testing next year. The new glide-phase A shows how an organization speeds potentially over Mach 10. interceptor is the Regional Glide- already burdened with the increas- As far back into that midcourse Phase Weapon System (RGPWS). The ing sophistication of rogue-state bal- glide phase as possible, Army land- MDA initially planned to release a re- listic missile threats intends to tackle based batteries and Navy destroyers quest for prototype proposals (RPP) the problem over the next decade of launch a salvo of hypersonic intercep- for the interceptor in April, but last hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise tors, seeking to pick off the incoming month announced a pause until the missiles entering the arsenals of gliders at closing speeds over Mach end of the year to complete a review “Great Power” competitors such as 20. Both hostile HGVs survive the ini- aimed at finding ways to accelerate Russia and China. tial salvo. But the evasive maneuvers the fielding schedule. Even the F-35A The vision, unveiled at the virtual bleed off precious energy, weakening has demonstrated the ability to send Space and Missile Defense Sympo- their kinetic advantage as they nose targeting updates to Army and Navy sium on Aug. 4, shows the concept down to enter the terminal phase. The interceptor batteries through a special ground station and a networking waveform adapter kit. The missing piece in the MDA’s ambitious hypersonic defense architecture remains a long-term funding plan. The agency’s budget is already strained by the significant upgrades necessary to manage the rogue ICBM threat, including a Next-Generation Interceptor (NGI). To mitigate the risk until the NGI is available, the MDA is seeking to build out an under- layer of intercept capabilities, beginning with the FTM-44 test scheduled in December for an SM-3 Block IIA to intercept an ICBM. The MDA is also evaluating the option of developing the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense–Extended Range (THAAD- ER) variant for ICBM intercepts. Meanwhile, agency officials continue to resist pressure to open a third battery of Ground-Based Interceptors on MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY the East Coast. Lockheed Martin will propose a new, sea-based variant of the Terminal High- Little room is left in the MDA’s Altitude Area Defense interceptor for the Regional Glide-Phase Weapon System. roughly $9 billion budget for hypersonic defense technology needed to evolving over three generations until it HGVs then must attempt to evade an- bolster the seams of an architecture reaches a fully realized, multilayered other salvo of terminal-phase kinetic heavily oriented to the ballistic threat. defensive system spanning elements interceptors and blasts by high-power Only about $450 million in total is from the ground, sea, air and space. microwaves. In the MDA scenario, the in the agency’s long-term spending In one potential scenario illustrated terminal-phase interceptors win. plan from fiscal 2022 to 2025, which by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), “Where we want to be is off to the translates to an average of about $112 a future constellation of overhead sat- right,” says MDA Director Vice Adm. million per year. The MDA’s accounts ellites in low Earth orbit detects the Jon Hill, referring to a graphic show- during the past two years indicate launch of two hostile hypersonic glide ing the fully realized vision on a pre- that the funding requirement is sig- vehicles (HGV). A mix of sensors on sentation slide. “We’re [then] taking nificantly higher. The agency requested the ground, sea and air, including full advantage of space capabilities only $157 million for the fiscal 2020 Lockheed Martin F-35s, track the providing us indications, and getting budget, but Congress added more

26 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE > AFRL sponsors Skyborg p. 28 Sixth-gen fighter engines p. 30 UK future fighter factory p. 31 Spain’s Airbus jobs p. 32 Key to F/A-18 readiness p. 33 KF-X composites p. 35 F-35 logistics system p. 36 UK rotorcraft challenges p. 37

Missile Defense Agency Reveals us to global tracking capability, and than $250 million to keep the HBTSS DARPA then getting that into the fire control and RGPWS on track. A year later, Hypersonic Defense Vision system. That’s the world that we need the MDA requested only $207 million to move to.” for hypersonic defense but tacked an- THAAD AND SM-3 VARIANTS EMERGE AS OPTIONS The MDA has already defined the other $224 million on to an unfunded > major elements of the hypersonic de- priorities list. > HYPERSONIC DEFENSE FUNDING REMAINS UNCERTAIN fense architecture, which came into The MDA’s financial position is like- sharper focus during the symposium. ly only to face more pressure in the Steve Trimble Washington The satellite constellation is the Hy- next few years. If any doubted that personic and Ballistic Tracking Space the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic newly released vision by the HGVs as they reenter the atmosphere Sensor (HBTSS), which is set to enter would not affect the Pentagon’s near- U.S. Missile Defense Agency and begin a long, winding glide at testing next year. The new glide-phase term spending plans, Vic Mercado, A shows how an organization speeds potentially over Mach 10. interceptor is the Regional Glide- assistant secretary of defense for already burdened with the increas- As far back into that midcourse Phase Weapon System (RGPWS). The strategy, plans and capabilities, bluntly ing sophistication of rogue-state bal- glide phase as possible, Army land- MDA initially planned to release a re- addressed them in his remarks during listic missile threats intends to tackle based batteries and Navy destroyers quest for prototype proposals (RPP) the symposium. the problem over the next decade of launch a salvo of hypersonic intercep- for the interceptor in April, but last “We expect [fiscal] 2022 to be a hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise tors, seeking to pick off the incoming month announced a pause until the challenge where the overall defense missiles entering the arsenals of gliders at closing speeds over Mach end of the year to complete a review budget will face much downward pres- “Great Power” competitors such as 20. Both hostile HGVs survive the ini- aimed at finding ways to accelerate sure in the aftermath of COVID relief,” Russia and China. tial salvo. But the evasive maneuvers the fielding schedule. Even the F-35A Mercado says. “We at the department, The vision, unveiled at the virtual bleed off precious energy, weakening has demonstrated the ability to send along with our industry partners, will Space and Missile Defense Sympo- their kinetic advantage as they nose targeting updates to Army and Navy need to work together closely to en- sium on Aug. 4, shows the concept down to enter the terminal phase. The interceptor batteries through a spe- sure the continuing effectiveness of cial ground station and a networking missile defense against potential ad- DARPA may contribute to hypersonic defense systems with its Glide Breaker, waveform adapter kit. versaries who are continuing to im- which is being developed by Northrop Grumman and Aerojet Rocketdyne. The missing piece in the MDA’s prove their capabilities.” ambitious hypersonic defense archi- In this context, the MDA has cho- an unsuccessful intercept attempt to support the Glide Breaker program, tecture remains a long-term funding sen an incremental acquisition strat- during the midcourse glide phase can which the agency says will “demon- plan. The agency’s budget is already egy for fielding a hypersonic defense be helpful because the HGV is forced strate technologies to enable defense strained by the significant upgrades system. The first increment intends to bleed off energy even with modest against hypersonic systems.” Aerojet necessary to manage the rogue ICBM to field the RGPWS in the “mid- evasive maneuvers. Rocketdyne is Northrop’s propulsion threat, including a Next-Generation 2020s” on an Aegis-class destroyer. “Where we’re going in the future is supplier for Glide Breaker. Interceptor (NGI). To mitigate the The RGPWS program office is, in fact, to reach back into that trajectory, into As the MDA architecture evolves, risk until the NGI is available, the established within the division for that glide phase where the hypersonic additional options for new terminal- MDA is seeking to build out an under- sea-based weapons systems, includ- threat is at its most vulnerable,” Hill phase interceptors could be added to layer of intercept capabilities, begin- ing SM-3s and SM-6s. As China fields says. “That’s where it’s bleeding off the mix. In addition to Dart, Hawk ning with the FTM-44 test scheduled the medium-to-intermediate-range energy, it’s not maneuvering as much, and Hyvint, the MDA selected two in December for an SM-3 Block IIA DF-17 HGV in the near future, the goal and it’s pretty easy to track.” more studies: a new version of Lock- to intercept an ICBM. The MDA is is to provide the carrier battle group The MDA began evaluating options heed’s terminal-phase Patriot Missile also evaluating the option of develop- with a feasible interceptor as quickly for a hypersonic defensive weapons Segment Enhancement named Valky- ing the Terminal High-Altitude Area as possible, then migrate the RGPWS system two years ago. After spend- rie and a Raytheon high-powered mi- Defense–Extended Range (THAAD- for land-based batteries. ing nearly a year assessing more than crowave system. ER) variant for ICBM intercepts. “In its first instantiation, we want 20 options, the MDA last September The MDA originally planned to open Meanwhile, agency officials continue to make sure we constrain that design selected five concepts for further the bidding phase for the RGPWS in to resist pressure to open a third bat- to what can fit on a ship so we have a study, including two Lockheed pro- April, with the release of an RPP. Last tery of Ground-Based Interceptors on mobile capability, and then we’ll get it posals, two Raytheon proposals and month, the agency announced that the MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY the East Coast. to land-based assets,” Hill says. one Boeing system. RPP is delayed until a final architec- Lockheed Martin will propose a new, sea-based variant of the Terminal High- Little room is left in the MDA’s So far, sea-based interceptors are Lockheed officials have now con- ture review is completed later this Altitude Area Defense interceptor for the Regional Glide-Phase Weapon System. roughly $9 billion budget for hyper- primarily designed to intercept mis- firmed that the sea-launched Dart year. The review is evaluating options sonic defense technology needed to siles in the terminal phase, but that variant of THAAD will be offered to for a two-track hypersonic defense evolving over three generations until it HGVs then must attempt to evade an- bolster the seams of an architecture approach does not work for an HGV. the MDA for the RGPWS contract. strategy, with the RGPWS fielded in reaches a fully realized, multilayered other salvo of terminal-phase kinetic heavily oriented to the ballistic threat. A rule of thumb in missile defense The proposal is likely to face compe- the near term and a more advanced defensive system spanning elements interceptors and blasts by high-power Only about $450 million in total is is that a terminal-phase interceptor tition from Raytheon, which has been capability set to be fielded later. from the ground, sea, air and space. microwaves. In the MDA scenario, the in the agency’s long-term spending needs about three times the maneu- studying a glide-phase interceptor ver- “The reason we took a pause and In one potential scenario illustrated terminal-phase interceptors win. plan from fiscal 2022 to 2025, which vering capability of the incoming sion of the SM-3 called Hawk. Boeing’s said that we’ll get back to you later in by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), “Where we want to be is off to the translates to an average of about $112 round, which is then at the peak of Hypervelocity Interceptor (Hyvint) the year is we want to see what we can a future constellation of overhead sat- right,” says MDA Director Vice Adm. million per year. The MDA’s accounts its potential energy state. An offen- proposal could be another sea-based do in the very near term, and I’ll define ellites in low Earth orbit detects the Jon Hill, referring to a graphic show- during the past two years indicate sive HGV is more vulnerable during option, but the company has released the near term as the mid-2020s,” Hill launch of two hostile hypersonic glide ing the fully realized vision on a pre- that the funding requirement is sig- the midcourse glide phase, when its no details about the concept. DARPA says. “And then we decided to keep vehicles (HGV). A mix of sensors on sentation slide. “We’re [then] taking nificantly higher. The agency requested mostly horizontal path within the also could make a contribution. In the technology investments going so the ground, sea and air, including full advantage of space capabilities only $157 million for the fiscal 2020 atmosphere limits energy available January, DARPA awarded a $13 mil- you can get to that farther-term, more Lockheed Martin F-35s, track the providing us indications, and getting budget, but Congress added more for aggressive maneuvering. Even lion contract to Northrop Grumman elegant solution.” c

26 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 27 DEFENSE

SkyborgAW Hed HereAwards Two Set Lines Stage of forCopy Revolution Two inLines Manned-Unmanned Two Lines Teaming

DECK COPY HERE ONE LINE > AFRL SPONSORS SKYBORG, ENIGMA AND LANDER PROGRAMS U.S. AIR FORCE VIDEO > DECK COPY HERE TWO LINES DECK COPY HERE TWO LINES COPY > HERESKYBORG TWO TESTING LINES SUPPORTED BY TACE PROGRAM AT EDWARDS AFB Name Name City

Steve Trimble Washington shrouded in secrecy, but glimpses of a Kratos supplied the XQ-58A for the new phase in manned-un- broad development portfolio stretch- LCASD program and received one manned teaming in air combat ing back at least three years have been of four contracts awarded to a will begin next year with con- released. In June 2017, for example, the A pool of vendors to supply Skyborg tract awards by the U.S. Air Force to Air Force hailed the achievements of four companies to create a vendor for 11 student test pilots in Class 16B of air vehicles. the Skyborg program. the Air Force Test Pilot School. One LCAAT and LCASD efforts has been For two decades, the Air Force has of the test management projects for the four test flights since March 2019 operated large unmanned aircraft sys- that class was called Have Raider II. by the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie. tems (UAS) under the direct control The students adapted the F-16 Variable Meanwhile, the Emerging Technol- of humans on the ground who either Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Air- ogies Combined Test Force (ET-CTF) “fly” the aircraft in real time or ap - craft (VISTA) to fly autonomously. within the 412th Test Wing at Edwards prove any deviation from a preplanned By introducing a “dynamic mission- AFB, California, became involved. To mission. As autonomous technology planning element to command the prepare for the LCASD follow-on pro- advances, the Air Force is seeking to VISTA,” the class of student test grams, including Skyborg, the ET-CTF transition to a new operational para- pilots enabled the unmanned F-16 launched a series of flight tests using digm, with onboard software algo - to execute simulated attacks while off-the-shelf, jet-powered drones in rithms ultimately trusted to sense navigating around simulated pop-up July 2019. Their goal was to verify an their environments and make their threats, such as mobile surface-to-air “autonomy safety net” developed by own decisions about how to respond to missiles, the Air Force says. the Johns Hopkins University Applied unexpected changes or threats. Around the same time, the Air Force Physics Laboratory. Skyborg is expected to usher auton- Research Laboratory (AFRL) launched Known as the Testing Autonomy in omous UAS technology from the labo- the Low-Cost Attritable Strike Demon- a Complex Environment (TACE) soft- ratory and flight demonstrations to a stration (LCASD), with a portfolio of ware suite, the technology is part of new family of operational air vehicles. programs identified as Low-Cost At- the AFRL’s effort to build up trust in Much of the Air Force’s autono - tritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT). the decisions made by a UAS. Building mous capability development remains By far, the most visible element of the on the AFRL’s work with the Automatic Ground and Air Collision Avoidance System, TACE is a software program that takes control of a UAS after it An organization within the 412th Test Wing has been developing has departed from safety boundaries trust in autonomous aircraft control systems by using the and returns the aircraft to controlled TACE software suite in off-the-shelf, jet-powered testbeds. flight. Thus, TACE allows the ET-CTF to test autonomous aircraft such as a new aircraft with an onboard pilot who is trusted to guide the vehicle back to safety on flight tests intended to discover any glitches. The AFRL also has continued experimenting with autonomous air vehicles. The AFRL describes the LCAAT program as a “portfolio” of systems for a reason. The LCASD project funded the development and testing of the XQ-58A. The LCAAT sponsored the Skyborg program but also others. For example, Timothy Dare, deputy director for prototyping and software for the undersecretary of defense for

U.S. AIR FORCE research and engineering, gave an

28 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST - - - - The AFRL’s goal is The to AFRL’s achieve an Skyborg’s in technologies “Autonomy Next-Generation Air Dominance pro Dominance Air Next-Generation gram envisions a new model for air of family a with future, the in warfare un and manned of consisting systems on Depending teams. aircraft manned in vehicles unmanned the mission, the off-board as function could family the surveillance and targeting systems as or operate the manned aircraft for a sort of hybrid cruise missile or loi- tering munition. Since a high degree of attrition is assumed, the Air Force air unmanned the make to seeking is as possible. as low-cost craft capability with operational early the Skyborg family of systems in fiscal 2023, but the timeline will depend on flight LCAAT-funded of round next the experiments with the four Skyborg year. starting next vendors from portfolio will simple range play book algorithms to advanced team decision-making and will include on- intelli- artificial for opportunities ramp Commander AFRL technologies,” gence c says. Pringle Gen. Heather Brig. - - AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 29 2020 17-30, TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST WEEK & SPACE AVIATION The heart of program the Skyborg - to trans the opportunity have “We In effect, Skyborg is seeking to dors, dors, which AFRL can call upon to flight of series a for vehicles air deliver year. next tests beginning remains the autonomous sys- control separate a under development in tem in awarded May to contract another the as functioning is Leidos company. which Agent, Design System Skyborg autonomous integrating with tasked is mul- by developed applications control Force’s Air the including sources, tiple autonomous year-old technology - ac at the Massa- organization celerator of Technology. chusetts Institute and capabilities warfighting our form the change we way fight and theway Gen. Brig. says power,” air employ we officer executive program White, Dale aircraft. advanced and fighters for and multiple certify lev demonstrate els of autonomous control for a new of generation The UAS. Air Force’s worth worth a maximum of $400 million to support the program. Skyborg The ven of pool a form will companies four

- - - - control control LEARN MORE:

aviationweek.com/marketbriefi ngs aviationweek.com/marketbriefi Market Briefi ngs. Market Briefi ngs c intelligence briefi These sector-specifi empower busy executives to stay-ahead of the market, identify opportunities and drive revenue. Intelligence Network’s Intelligence Network’s day with Aviation Week Week day with Aviation Go beyond the news of the Go beyond the news On July 23, Boeing, General Atom General On 23, July Boeing, But the most visible element of the No No information about Lander is Grumman each received an indefinite- an received each Grumman equipment. The Enigma of program be Skyborg. Northrop and Systems Aerial manned ing electronics and communications comment. yet to in AFRL has fice to continues portfolio LCAAT AFRL’s - Un Kratos Systems, Aeronautical ics contract delivery/indefinite-quantity man and Rockwell Collins are supply are Collins Rockwell and man Enigma program. Northrop - Grum air vehicle and spares to support the a $2.5 million to contract provide an $4.3 million. Lockheed Martin received received Martin Lockheed million. $4.3 tober 2019 with a combined value of AFRL awarded three contracts in Oc- in contracts three awarded AFRL Enigma exist in the public record. The record. public the in exist Enigma online online presentation in June that re will develop stores and fire- said. he aircraft,” the for management available, but some details about Skyborg, Enigma and Lander, which Enigma and Lander, Skyborg, several follow-on projects to follow-on several include LCASD program’s XQ-58A “supports “supports XQ-58A program’s LCASD vealed vealed other Data for the programs. AviationWeek.com/AWST

U.S. AIR FORCE VIDEO - -

AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST - the Emerging Technol Meanwhile, in Autonomy Testing the as Known The AFRL also has continued ex LCAAT and LCASD efforts has been LCAAT the test sincefour March 2019 flights Valkyrie. XQ-58A the Kratos by (ET-CTF) Force ogies Combined Test Edwards at Wing Test 412th the within became AFB, California, To involved. pro follow-on LCASD the for prepare ET-CTF the Skyborg, including grams, launched a series of flight tests using jet-powered off-the-shelf, drones in Their was to goal 2019. July verify an net” safety developed “autonomy by Applied University Hopkins Johns the Laboratory. Physics soft- (TACE) Environment Complex a ware suite, the technology is part of effort to build up trust in the AFRL’s Building UAS. a by made decisions the Automatic the with work AFRL’s the on Ground and Air Collision Avoidance program software a is TACE System, that takes control of a UAS after it has departed from boundaries safety to and controlled the returns aircraft ET-CTF the allows TACE Thus, flight. such as a to test autonomous aircraft new aircraft with an onboard pilot who is trusted to guide the vehicle intended tests flight on safety to back glitches. any to discover - vehi air autonomous with perimenting LCAAT the describes AFRL The cles. for systems of “portfolio” a as program a reason. The LCASD project funded the development and testing of the XQ-58A. sponsored The the LCAAT Skyborg program but also others. example, Timothy For Dare, deputy and software prototyping for director for the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, gave an Kratos supplied the XQ-58A for the the for XQ-58A the supplied Kratos one and received program LCASD a to awarded contracts four of Skyborg supply to vendors pool of vehicles. air

By introducing a “dynamic mission- “dynamic a introducing By Force Air the time, same the Around shrouded in secrecy, but glimpses of a of glimpses but secrecy, in shrouded - broad development portfolio stretch been have years three least at back ing the example, for 2017, June In released. hailed the Air of achievements Force 11 student test pilots in Class 16B of Pilot the School.Test Air One Force of the test projects management for that class was called Raider Have II. Variable F-16 the adapted students The Air Test Simulator In-Flight Stability to fly autonomously. (VISTA) craft planning element to command the the VISTA,” class of student test pilots enabled the unmanned F-16 to execute simulated attacks while around simulated pop-up navigating surface-to-air mobile as such threats, says. missiles, the Air Force launched (AFRL) Laboratory Research Demon- Strike Attritable Low-Cost the (LCASD), with stration a portfolio of identifiedprograms asAt- Low-Cost (LCAAT). Technology Aircraft tritable the most visible element By of far, the - - - - SPONSORS SKYBORG, ENIGMA AND AND LANDER ENIGMA PROGRAMS SPONSORS SKYBORG, new new phase in - manned-un combat air in teaming manned will begin next year with - con An organization within the 412th Test Wing has been developing has been developing Wing Test within the 412th An organization using the by systems control aircraft in autonomous trust testbeds. jet-powered in off-the-shelf, suite software TACE DECK COPY HERE ONE COPY LINE DECK LINES TWO COPY HERE COPY LINES TWO HERE DECK COPY DECK TACE LINES TWO HERE BY SUPPORTED TESTING SKYBORG AFB EDWARDS AT PROGRAM AFRL Skyborg is expected to usher auton- usher to expected is Skyborg Much of the autono Air Force’s For two decades, the Air Force has the Air Force decades, two For

Name Name City AW Hed Here Two Lines of Copy Two Two Copy of Lines Two Here Hed AW Lines Two Lines

prove any deviation from a preplanned a from deviation any prove mission. As autonomous technology is the advances, seeking Air to Force transition to a - new para operational digm, with onboard software algo rithms ultimately trusted to sense their environments and make their to respond to how about decisions own or threats. changes unexpected labo the from technology UAS omous and ratory toflight demonstrations a air vehicles. of operational family new remains development capability mous tract awards by the U.S. Air Force to Air Force by the awards tract U.S. for vendor a create to companies four program. the Skyborg sys- aircraft unmanned large operated under tems the (UAS) direct control of humans on the ground who either “fly” the aircraft in real time or ap Skyborg Awards Set Stage for Revolution Revolution for Stage Set Awards Skyborg Teaming in Manned-Unmanned > > > > DEFENSE Washington Trimble Steve A FORCE AIR U.S. AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 17-30, TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST WEEK & SPACE 28 AVIATION DEFENSE

Budget Shows Flightworthy Sixth- Kendall’s remarks to Congress in 2015 came a year before the Air Force Gen Fighter Engines Ready by 2025 received the results of an Enterprise Capability Collaboration Team on > FIGHTER X-PLANES FUNDED SINCE 2015 the Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan, which urged the development > ADAPTIVE ENGINES AVAILABLE BY 2025 of a family of systems anchored by a next-generation fighter to replace the Steve Trimble Washington F-22. The Flight Plan prompted the Air Force to commission an analysis etails of the first of two mostly to Ellen Lord, undersecretary of de- of alternatives (AoA) in late 2016. The secret initiatives to support the fense for acquisition and sustainment. results of that study were originally DU.S. Air Force’s five-year-old Six years ago, he was the principal scheduled to be released by the end pursuit of a sixth-generation succes- deputy to the director for research of 2017, but the analysis continued sor to the Lockheed Martin F-22 are and engineering. In that role, Shaffer until early 2019. now released and reveal that a critical introduced the NGAP as an enabler to Meanwhile, a 2015 presentation by technology for the Next-Generation the NGAD program, along with anoth- the Air Force Research Laboratory Air Dominance program could be - er, complementary initiative focused showed a notional schedule for the come flightworthy by mid-2025. on new airframes. NGAD program; a contract award to GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney launch the engineering and manufac- are scheduled to complete separate turing development (EMD) phase is competitive designs for a Next-Gen- The results of the AII program set for fiscal 2023. As late as the Air eration Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) have not been released Force’s fiscal 2019 budget request, system by the second quarter of 2022 the financial resources devoted to and finish assessments on a full-scale or even acknowledged by Air Force the NGAD appeared to support that engine three years later, according to or defense officials since 2015, schedule: A significant increase in Air Force budget documents. but the initiative suggests that funding starts in fiscal 2023, and $13 The schedule and spending details billion is set aside overall between on the NGAP appeared for the first one or two X-plane fiscal 2019 and 2023. Last year, how- time in the Air Force’s budget justifi- ever, as the results of the AoA study cation documents for fiscal 2021 that aircraft could became available, the Air Force ap- were submitted to Congress in Febru- be in testing peared to defer the launch of the ary but passed unnoticed for several EMD by at least a few years. The months. The Air Force awarded GE fiscal 2020 budget request included and Pratt each a $427 million con- “This program will develop and fly only $6.6 billion for the NGAD from tract to support the NGAP program, two X-plane prototypes that demon- fiscal 2020-24. but the details were shrouded in strate advanced technologies for fu- Funding for the NGAD and NGAP budget documents within the related ture aircraft,” Shaffer said in 2014. programs is accounted for separately Adaptive Engine Transition Program “Teams will compete to produce the in Air Force budget documents. The (AETP), an unclassified effort to de- X-plane prototypes, one focused on fiscal 2021 budget justification docu- velop a reengining candidate for the future Navy operational capabilities, ments reveal that the Air Force spent Lockheed F-35. and the other on future Air Force op- $106 million for the NGAP in fiscal After Senate authorizers cited the erational capabilities.” 2019. Another $224 million is allo - Air Force’s lack of transparency for A year later, Frank Kendall, then un- cated to the NGAP this year. But the justifying a $270 million budget cut dersecretary of defense for acquisition, program has requested an additional for AETP this year, service officials technology and logistics, elaborated $403 million in fiscal 2021, the budget decided to break out funding for the on the Aerospace Innovation Initiative documents show. NGAP in budget documents. (AII). The development of the X-planes “The Next-Generation Adaptive In fact, the NGAP program reap- would be led by DARPA, he said. Propulsion effort consists of four peared in the fiscal 2021 budget docu- “To be competitive, the Navy and phases: preliminary design, detailed ments for the first time in more than the Air Force each will have variants design, engine fabrication and engine six years. The Air Force has kept all focused on their mission require - assessments,” Air Force budget doc- details about the Next-Generation Air ments,” Kendall said. “There will be uments state. Dominance (NGAD) program highly a technology period leading up to de- “Program deliverables include secret since 2016, but there was a brief velopment of the prototypes. This will military adaptive engine detailed de- two-year window in 2014-15 when se- lead to the systems that ultimately will sign parameters and models, engine nior defense officials provided infor- come after the F-35.” hardware (plus spare parts), matured mation about the underlying technol- The results of the AII program technologies, major rig assessment ogy development efforts. have not been released or even ac- data (controls, combustor, etc.), pro- The NGAP was first referenced knowledged by Air Force or defense gram reviews, and technology, afford- in testimony by Alan Shaffer before officials since 2015, but the initiative ability and sustainability studies for House Armed Services Committee in suggests that one or two X-plane air- next generation fighter aircraft,” the March 2014. Shaffer is now the deputy craft could be in testing. documents add. c

30 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE

Budget Shows Flightworthy Sixth- Kendall’s remarks to Congress in Future Fighter Factory Technology spin off enhancements for platforms 2015 came a year before the Air Force such as Typhoon—the factory of the Gen Fighter Engines Ready by 2025 received the results of an Enterprise Will Make Tempest Low-Cost future initiative is helping to stream- Capability Collaboration Team on line production of both the Typhoon > FIGHTER X-PLANES FUNDED SINCE 2015 the Air Superiority 2030 Flight > TEMPEST SPINOFFS ALREADY SUPPORTING TYPHOON PRODUCTION and the Lockheed Martin F-35. Plan, which urged the development For the Typhoons being exported by > ADAPTIVE ENGINES AVAILABLE BY 2025 of a family of systems anchored by a > ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TO SHAKE UP SUPPLY BASE Italy to Kuwait, BAE has supplied addi- next-generation fighter to replace the tive-manufactured ducting for the cool- Steve Trimble Washington F-22. The Flight Plan prompted the Tony Osborne London ing of the active, electronically scanned Air Force to commission an analysis array radars. Metallic 3D-printed parts etails of the first of two mostly to Ellen Lord, undersecretary of de- of alternatives (AoA) in late 2016. The AE Systems is making invest- tecture systems that could take ad- are being used in the structure of the secret initiatives to support the fense for acquisition and sustainment. results of that study were originally ments in new production and vantage of new technologies as they Typhoons supplied to Qatar. DU.S. Air Force’s five-year-old Six years ago, he was the principal scheduled to be released by the end Bassembly technologies to re- emerge through the production life of In the coming months, the compa- pursuit of a sixth-generation succes- deputy to the director for research of 2017, but the analysis continued duce costs and halve the time associ- the aircraft. ny will work on a full-scale fuselage sor to the Lockheed Martin F-22 are and engineering. In that role, Shaffer until early 2019. ated with producing a complex future Holmes notes the scaling up of ca- section of the notional Tempest de- now released and reveal that a critical introduced the NGAP as an enabler to Meanwhile, a 2015 presentation by combat aircraft. pabilities such as additive manufac- sign. The structure is designed and technology for the Next-Generation the NGAD program, along with anoth- the Air Force Research Laboratory With the target of bringing the turing, which previously may have component parts have been released Air Dominance program could be - er, complementary initiative focused showed a notional schedule for the British-led Tempest future combat air been restricted to producing compo- for manufacture. come flightworthy by mid-2025. on new airframes. NGAD program; a contract award to system to the front line by the mid- nents tens of centimeters in length, The first subassemblies are due GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney launch the engineering and manufac- 2030s and ensuring it can capture a can now produce components that to be completed in September using are scheduled to complete separate turing development (EMD) phase is chunk of the export market before the are several meters long. smart benches developed in conjunc- competitive designs for a Next-Gen- The results of the AII program set for fiscal 2023. As late as the Air competition is ready, BAE believes it BAE SYSTEMS eration Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) have not been released Force’s fiscal 2019 budget request, needs to shake up its engineering pro- system by the second quarter of 2022 the financial resources devoted to cesses and relations with suppliers as and finish assessments on a full-scale or even acknowledged by Air Force the NGAD appeared to support that well as connect and digitize the entire engine three years later, according to or defense officials since 2015, schedule: A significant increase in through-life process. Air Force budget documents. but the initiative suggests that funding starts in fiscal 2023, and $13 The company has established a fac- The schedule and spending details billion is set aside overall between tory of the future at its site in Warton, on the NGAP appeared for the first one or two X-plane fiscal 2019 and 2023. Last year, how- England, where it has been experi- time in the Air Force’s budget justifi- ever, as the results of the AoA study menting with initiatives such as cobot- cation documents for fiscal 2021 that aircraft could became available, the Air Force ap- ics—whereby robots in reconfigurable were submitted to Congress in Febru- be in testing peared to defer the launch of the cells assist human operators with ary but passed unnoticed for several EMD by at least a few years. The complex tasks and additive manufac- months. The Air Force awarded GE fiscal 2020 budget request included turing of ever-larger parts. During the and Pratt each a $427 million con- “This program will develop and fly only $6.6 billion for the NGAD from past 12 months, the company has been tract to support the NGAP program, two X-plane prototypes that demon- fiscal 2020-24. steadily introducing the technologies but the details were shrouded in strate advanced technologies for fu- Funding for the NGAD and NGAP into its existing programs, including budget documents within the related ture aircraft,” Shaffer said in 2014. programs is accounted for separately the Eurofighter Typhoon, as a step- Adaptive Engine Transition Program “Teams will compete to produce the in Air Force budget documents. The pingstone to future programs. BAE proposes a factory of the future that is fully digitized end to end with (AETP), an unclassified effort to de- X-plane prototypes, one focused on fiscal 2021 budget justification docu- Currently, it can take about 36 control rooms monitoring each step of the process. velop a reengining candidate for the future Navy operational capabilities, ments reveal that the Air Force spent months to produce and assemble a Lockheed F-35. and the other on future Air Force op- $106 million for the NGAP in fiscal Typhoon. An extra 12 months can be “Additive will challenge the machin- tion with the University of Sheffield’s After Senate authorizers cited the erational capabilities.” 2019. Another $224 million is allo - added onto that timeline if the supply ing sector’s production of castings and Advanced Manufacturing Research Air Force’s lack of transparency for A year later, Frank Kendall, then un- cated to the NGAP this year. But the chain has to be primed in the event of forgings,” Holmes says. Subtractive Centre. BAE has also teamed up justifying a $270 million budget cut dersecretary of defense for acquisition, program has requested an additional a gap in production to allow for long- manufacturing processes will still be with aerospace automation company for AETP this year, service officials technology and logistics, elaborated $403 million in fiscal 2021, the budget lead items such as the production of needed for a future aircraft but will Electroimpact to enhance the accura- decided to break out funding for the on the Aerospace Innovation Initiative documents show. dies for forging and tools for moldings. “become the exception rather than cy of off-the-shelf robots to deal with NGAP in budget documents. (AII). The development of the X-planes “The Next-Generation Adaptive Those long lead times can be as the rule,” he says, as additive takes the precise tolerances required for In fact, the NGAP program reap- would be led by DARPA, he said. Propulsion effort consists of four much as 100 weeks using traditional on a greater role. These technologies military aircraft. peared in the fiscal 2021 budget docu- “To be competitive, the Navy and phases: preliminary design, detailed manufacturing methods, says Dave will also “force a different relationship Although it was the first in the ments for the first time in more than the Air Force each will have variants design, engine fabrication and engine Holmes, manufacturing director of with suppliers.” Euro fighter consortium to boast the six years. The Air Force has kept all focused on their mission require - assessments,” Air Force budget doc- BAE’s Air business. “We want to get The capabilities demonstrated at use of laser alignment in the assem- details about the Next-Generation Air ments,” Kendall said. “There will be uments state. that 100 weeks down to 100 days or BAE’s facility are providing evidence bly of the fighter, BAE is now exper- Dominance (NGAD) program highly a technology period leading up to de- “Program deliverables include less,” he notes. for an upcoming year-end submission imenting with optical projection sys- secret since 2016, but there was a brief velopment of the prototypes. This will military adaptive engine detailed de- BAE’s vision to pave the way for of the business case to the British tems with real-time measurement two-year window in 2014-15 when se- lead to the systems that ultimately will sign parameters and models, engine Tempest production calls for a “com- government to take the Tempest ac- feedback to assemble the Typhoon’s nior defense officials provided infor- come after the F-35.” hardware (plus spare parts), matured pletely connected end-to-end environ- quisition program from the current vertical stabilizer. The company mation about the underlying technol- The results of the AII program technologies, major rig assessment ment from requirements, engineering, concept phase into the assessment is also in the process of rolling out ogy development efforts. have not been released or even ac- data (controls, combustor, etc.), pro- supply chains, production systems to phase in 2021. But in line with the UK technology for the F-35. Additional- The NGAP was first referenced knowledged by Air Force or defense gram reviews, and technology, afford- support upgrades and enhancements,” Combat Air Strategy—which calls for ly, optical projection is being used on in testimony by Alan Shaffer before officials since 2015, but the initiative ability and sustainability studies for Holmes says. Data and analytics the technology developed by Team aircraft skins to provide information House Armed Services Committee in suggests that one or two X-plane air- next generation fighter aircraft,” the would underpin the system, he adds. Tempest through the Future Combat to workers on the size of a fastener for March 2014. Shaffer is now the deputy craft could be in testing. documents add. c At its backbone would be open-archi- Air System Technology Initiative to a particular section. c

30 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 31 DEFENSE

funding for Phase 2 of the Euro pean Spanish Government Makes Defense FCAS development program with Commitments to Keep Airbus Jobs France and Germany. Madrid’s commitments include the purchase of three Airbus A330 Multi- Role Tanker Transports that will fill a long-standing capability gap for the Spanish Air Force. In addition, Madrid plans to pur-

32 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE DEFENSE funding for Phase 2 of the Euro pean How One Component Improved Spanish Government Makes Defense FCAS development program with Commitments to Keep Airbus Jobs France and Germany. U.S. Navy F/A-18 Fleet Readiness Madrid’s commitments include the purchase of three Airbus A330 Multi- Role Tanker Transports that will fill a long-standing capability gap for the Spanish Air Force. In addition, Madrid plans to pur-

AIRBUS DEFENSE & SPACE chase up to 59 Airbus H135 twin- engine light helicopters for use by the Spanish interior ministry, along with four H160 twin-engine medium helicopters, which are likely to be customized by Airbus Helicopters at Albacete. Work on a potential future jet train- > SPAIN PLANS TO BUY THREE AIRBUS A330 MRTTs er would see Airbus in Spain lead on the development, design, certification > MADRID WANTS TO STRENGTHEN COUNTRY’S SPACE CAPABILITIES and production of the aircraft, but other European nations would be allowed Tony Osborne London to join the initiative, the communique suggests. Spain previously built the pain has made bold defense employs more than 12,000 people in CASA C-101 Aviojet, although that spending commitments in a Spain, but the wider aerospace sector aircraft will be partially replaced by Sbid to maintain and ultimately and supply chain supporting it employ the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer strengthen Airbus’ presence in the another 150,000. during 2021. country post-COVID-19. It is no wonder then that preserving Spain also needs to replace a fleet For years, F/A-18E Super Hornets, like this one Madrid will buy new fleets of air- these capabilities has become a nation- of twin-seat Northrop SF-5 Freedom launched from the ight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln craft and helicopters and will also al priority for Madrid as the country Fighters still used for lead-in fighter (CVN-72), have experienced low readiness rates. fund studies for a new pan-Euro pean looks to advance future projects such training. Currently, only the Czech advanced jet trainer that could go as the FCAS, which according to Republic and Italy are active in this ASS CUNICAIN SPC RD CASS ICAE SINEUS NA on to train the pilots who will fly the Spain’s national industrial coordinator, market—with platforms from Aero > TIGHTENING BUDGETS FORCED THE NAVY TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES GCU was the “top platform degrader European Future Combat Air System Indra, will generate billions of euros for Vodochody and Leonardo, respective- for all naval aviation.” (FCAS), agreements announced by the national economy. ly. BAE Systems continues to offer the > GE DOUBLES GENERATOR CONTROL UNIT PRODUCTION When sequestration-era spending joint communique revealed on July 30 The OEM’s presence in Iberia dates Hawk, but the platform has struggled limits were imposed on the Pentagon following meetings between Spanish back to the-then European Aeronau- to compete on the international mar- Lee Hudson Washington in 2013, the entire military faced Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and tic Defense and Space Co.’s purchase ket, and senior company officials have across-the-board funding cuts, includ- Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. of Construcciones Aeronauticas SA hinted that production of the aircraft he U.S. Navy’s Boeing F/A-18E/F component of the F414’s electrical ing the operations and maintenance While the package is not on the (CASA) back in 1999. Since then, may soon cease. Super Hornet and EA-18G power-generation system—its gener- accounts. The Navy had to make tough scale of that provided by France and Airbus has expanded its capacity in The initiative does not include Span- TGrowler fl eets have experienced ator control unit (GCU) , which keeps choices about what bills it would pay Germany in recent weeks (AW&ST Spain mainly around its defense prod- ish plans for an additional purchase of dramatic turnarounds. In 2017, less the generator output within a specifi ed and what to defer. At the same time, Feb. 10-23, p. 34), Madrid is hoping the uct line, building the A400M and C295 Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. than half of the Navy’s Super Hornets range. Initial attempts to address the fl ight hours for the Super Hornet and package will stem a tide of headcount airlifters in Seville and converting Airbus expects the Halcon (Hawk) were able to fl y. Now, 80% of its car- GCU’s issues through “component- Growler in the Middle East increased reductions like those seen elsewhere green A330s into Multi-Role Tanker contract to be finalized in 2021, under rier-based fi ghters are ready for mis- level reliability improvements were to meet the high operational tempos in Europe as aerospace adjusts to a Transports (MRTT) at Getafe, near which Spain is to purchase 20 new- sions. The solution involved fixing a of Operation Enduring Freedom and post-pandemic new normal. Madrid. Facilities in Illescas, near build Eurofighters to replace the early- single component within the General Over the last 10 years, the Operation Inherent Resolve. At the initiative’s heart is the “pres- Toledo, and Puerto Real, near Cadiz, model Boeing F/A-18 Hornets current- Electric F414 engine. As the Navy reduced aviation sus- ervation of technological capabilities,” support Airbus’ commercial produc- ly serving in the Canary Islands. The Navy faulted constrained mission-capable rate for the tainment budgets, the program of- especially those of designing, certifying, tion, while a facility in Albacete is used Besides its defense plans, Spain spending following the 2008 fi nancial F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was fice did not have sufficient funding producing and keeping a complete air- by Airbus’ helicopter business for local also wants to expand its national role crisis and increased demand from to purchase spare parts. From fi scal craft, say Spanish government officials. assembly of helicopters and produc- in European space efforts, particularly the wars in the Middle East for the 2013 to fi scal 2016, the program o ce The OEM says “extraordinary mea- tion of rear fuselages. with increased investment in Europe- lack of readiness. More specifical- requested $193.6-311.5 million and re- sures” would help it protect and devel- Among the defense initiatives are an Space Agency programs announced ly, those conditions exacerbated an 51.29% ceived $85.2-136.3 million, according op key skills, know-how and capabili- plans for Spain to acquire three Airbus at the agency’s most recent ministeri- issue embedded in the military’s vast to a 2019 Defense Department Inspec- ties throughout Spanish industry. A330 MRTTs, finally filling an aerial al conference last year. The country supply chain. not sustainable,” Navy spokeswoman tor General report. With Spain’s aerospace industry refueling and strategic transport capa- has also established an Aeronautical For 20 years, the Super Hornets Gulianna Dunn tells Aviation Week. To compensate, Navy officials generating some €13 billion ($15 bil- bility gap left by the retirement of the Technology Plan to provide grants and Growlers have continually had Eventually, the GCUs, already in cannibalized aircraft to obtain the lion) for the economy, an amount that country’s Boeing 707 tankers in 2016. for aerospace and defense projects, electronic systems and new sensors short supply, failed to keep pace, caus- required spare parts. Maintainers has doubled in the last 10 years, it has Madrid will also acquire four C295 including subsidies for low-emission added that placed greater and great- ing a cascading e ect on the availabili- removed working parts from an air- become one of the country’s largest turboprop airlifters in a maritime flight. These will be worth more than er demand for power from their GE ty of the carrier-based fi ghters. In the craft and installed them on a second manufacturing sectors. Airbus alone patrol configuration and will provide €200 million through 2023. c engines. That demand taxed a key words of a Navy program o cial, the jet to make that aircraft operational.

32 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 33 DEFENSE

A backlog of spare parts exacerbated Reliability Control Board (RCB) in it again in 2020 to reach the 21-units- fl eet readiness and availability rates— 2019 to improve the F/A-18 and EA-18G per-month rate, Krisciunas says. an issue that a§ ected the GCU acutely. mission-capable rate. The board pin- These courses of action resulted in New mission payloads created addi- pointed the main problem— insu cient zero back orders by mid-June 2020. tional types of electrical load, straining production of the F414’s GCU. The Navy Additionally, the team is working the aircraft’s electronics, and wearing had 200 on back order. with GE to resolve production issues out the GCUs at a faster rate. The sec- Navair worked with GE to ramp related to GCU testing capacity. The ond -generation (G2) and G3 GCU mod- up GCU production, according to plan is to purchase new, larger test els that equipped the fl eet could handle Lt. Cmdr. Jason Shaw, power and pro- stands and upgrade software on exist- only about 150 fl ight hours. pulsion lead at the F/A-18 and EA-18G ing test equipment. This would allow To increase reliability, GE Avia- program o ce. the company to conduct more tests tion Systems, in consultation with The RCB determined GE was pro- and further increase production. the Navy, began working to redesign ducing roughly six GCUs per month The test stand is a large electric the GCU. A G3-to-G4 conversion kit that would funnel into the program of- motor that simulates the engine spin- could deliver up to 532 fl ight hours. A fi ce, Boeing or Naval Supply Systems ning the gearbox, and it has a pad that G4 GCU was even better—sustaining Command (Navsup). The program duplicates the GCU interface. A test 1,220 fl ight hours. Naval Air Systems and Boeing had predictable delivery stand costs approximately $1.5- 2 mil- Command (Navair) fl ight-tested the schedules, but Navsup would receive lion and typically takes 15-18 months G4 in August 2015, and GE started pro- only GCUs that were produced beyond to get up and running, Krisciunas says. duction in mid-2016, Joe Krisciunas, what the other two contracts required. Still, more improvements are being general manager and president of GE “It created a hole on the supply made: The program o ce is now as- Aviation Electrical Power Systems, shelf,” Shaw says. “When a jet would sessing wiring issues that may have tells Aviation Week. lose a GCU, there was no other one to also contributed to low GCU reliability. But the part still was only being replace it from supply.” The service awarded a $17 million con- manufactured at a minimal rate. The team brainstormed and de- tract to purchase additional software The matter came to a head in Oc- cided GE would increase production and cables for Automated Wiring Test tober 2018, when then-Defense Sec- to about 21 GCUs each month, while Sets, which will allow aircraft mechan- retary Jim Mattis set an 80% mis- Navair would defer a contract for 320 ics to identify system faults. sion-capable readiness goal. At the GCU conversion kits to 2021. Pushing “The U.S. Navy is the only [Pen- time, a total of only 260 F/A-18 and the contract would leave room for tagon] military branch to have met EA-18G aircraft were capable of fl y- Navsup to achieve a more predict- and sustained the 80% readiness call ing missions—approximately 60%, far able delivery schedule. The compa- that Mattis put out, and that is largely short of the mandate. ny doubled its GCU production rate associated with resolving the issues In response, the Navy convened a from 2018 to 2019 and almost doubled with GCUs,” Shaw says. c

Aircraft electrician Roderick Canlas assembled upgrades to an F/A-18 Super Hornet generator control unit. US NA

3 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AUGUST 2020 DEFENSE

A backlog of spare parts exacerbated Reliability Control Board (RCB) in it again in 2020 to reach the 21-units- fl eet readiness and availability rates— 2019 to improve the F/A-18 and EA-18G per-month rate, Krisciunas says. an issue that a§ ected the GCU acutely. mission-capable rate. The board pin- These courses of action resulted in ™ New mission payloads created addi- pointed the main problem— insu cient zero back orders by mid-June 2020. tional types of electrical load, straining production of the F414’s GCU. The Navy Additionally, the team is working the aircraft’s electronics, and wearing had 200 on back order. with GE to resolve production issues out the GCUs at a faster rate. The sec- Navair worked with GE to ramp related to GCU testing capacity. The ond -generation (G2) and G3 GCU mod- up GCU production, according to plan is to purchase new, larger test els that equipped the fl eet could handle Lt. Cmdr. Jason Shaw, power and pro- stands and upgrade software on exist- only about 150 fl ight hours. pulsion lead at the F/A-18 and EA-18G ing test equipment. This would allow To increase reliability, GE Avia- program o ce. the company to conduct more tests tion Systems, in consultation with The RCB determined GE was pro- and further increase production. the Navy, began working to redesign ducing roughly six GCUs per month The test stand is a large electric the GCU. A G3-to-G4 conversion kit that would funnel into the program of- motor that simulates the engine spin- could deliver up to 532 fl ight hours. A fi ce, Boeing or Naval Supply Systems ning the gearbox, and it has a pad that G4 GCU was even better—sustaining Command (Navsup). The program duplicates the GCU interface. A test 1,220 fl ight hours. Naval Air Systems and Boeing had predictable delivery stand costs approximately $1.5- 2 mil- Command (Navair) fl ight-tested the schedules, but Navsup would receive lion and typically takes 15-18 months G4 in August 2015, and GE started pro- only GCUs that were produced beyond to get up and running, Krisciunas says. duction in mid-2016, Joe Krisciunas, what the other two contracts required. Still, more improvements are being general manager and president of GE “It created a hole on the supply made: The program o ce is now as- Aviation Electrical Power Systems, shelf,” Shaw says. “When a jet would sessing wiring issues that may have tells Aviation Week. lose a GCU, there was no other one to also contributed to low GCU reliability. But the part still was only being replace it from supply.” The service awarded a $17 million con- manufactured at a minimal rate. The team brainstormed and de- tract to purchase additional software The matter came to a head in Oc- cided GE would increase production and cables for Automated Wiring Test Why Sustainability tober 2018, when then-Defense Sec- to about 21 GCUs each month, while Sets, which will allow aircraft mechan- retary Jim Mattis set an 80% mis- Navair would defer a contract for 320 ics to identify system faults. sion-capable readiness goal. At the GCU conversion kits to 2021. Pushing “The U.S. Navy is the only [Pen- time, a total of only 260 F/A-18 and the contract would leave room for tagon] military branch to have met Still Matters EA-18G aircraft were capable of fl y- Navsup to achieve a more predict- and sustained the 80% readiness call ing missions—approximately 60%, far able delivery schedule. The compa- that Mattis put out, and that is largely short of the mandate. ny doubled its GCU production rate associated with resolving the issues In response, the Navy convened a from 2018 to 2019 and almost doubled with GCUs,” Shaw says. c

Aircraft electrician Roderick Canlas assembled upgrades to an F/A-18 Super Hornet generator control unit. Technology Transforms Workforce Training

Aircraft Lavatories Go Touchless US NA

3 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST Inside Contents

MRO 4 NEWS BRIEFS & CONTRACTS MAINTENANCE CHECK SAFETY & REGULATORY MRO 5 Fume Mysteries A Lesson MRO 5 MAX Additive Fuel Ban MRO 6 Corrosion Concerns From Space MRO 7 ARSA Update

AIRLINE INSIGHT etting through now MRO 8 Air Zimbabwe can take a lot of en- Philip Zvasiya, maintenance ergy some days, but “The pandemic can be manager G I challenge you to look to a catalyst for change.” INTERVIEW the future: How will you de- MRO 9 Aftermarket Recovery: scribe your company post- The Ups and Downs Ted Colbert, Boeing Global pandemic? Mustering a carpe diem outlook and imagining a Services’ CEO few years out can be helpful. As author Adam Grant wrote in an essay about time travel in The New York Times, “Psycholo- OPERATIONS MRO 12 Maintaining the Environment gists find that looking to the future shifts our attention from the How MROs are making mundane ‘how’ of our days to the meaningful ‘why.’ Having an operations more sustainable emotional target to aim for can give us a purpose and help us WORKFORCE manage bouts of anxiety and frustration.” MRO 16 New Training Realities Emerging training Grant says this is how astronaut sustainability efforts because it could technologies and the Scott Kelly helped cope with the isola- put your company at a disadvantage workforce recovery tion of spending one year in space. He post-recovery (page MRO12). MRO 19 Recruitment Challenges envisioned how the mission would end. The COVID-19 crisis has also forced Demand rises for avionics “My goal was to get to the end of this airlines and the aftermarket to look specialists with both with the same enthusiasm and ability for new ways to comply with social- mechanical and electrical and energy as I had in the beginning,” distancing requirements and remote engineering skills Grant quotes Kelly as saying. working, which is speeding up adop- That requires focus, and while aviation of paperless maintenance and ENGINEERED tion is suffering a lot right now, many e-signatures (page MRO26). Could MRO 20 Sanitation Solutions airlines and aftermarket companies the growing momentum finally propel Pandemic and accessibility concerns prompt renewed are looking forward because they widespread adoption? Energizing look at lavatories know air travel will resume and our COVID has also been the catalyst industry will recover. for new training technologies that MRO 22 Seats The pandemic can be a catalyst can adapt content based on a learn- Seat makers find a limit for change. How is your company er’s behavior or performance, simi- in reducing weight the future of flight adapting? lar to a video game or prompts from Here are some great examples a trainer at the gym (page MRO16). TECHNOLOGY MRO 26 Push to Paperless you’ll find in this issue: The result is better performance and We are applying four decades of experience and know-how in The pandemic spurs further While this might surprise some, more engagement. energy management, power conversion and controls to enable digital adaptation the coronavirus’ toll on sustainabil- How you will maneuver in an air- ity efforts has not been bad (page craft lavatory in the future also is be- the electrification of aircraft. Our offerings are modular, scalable, ENGINE ANALYSIS MRO12). “In fact, we have noticed ing influenced by the pandemic. From and adaptable for regional and business jets, urban air mobility, MRO 28 CF34 Stalwart increased attention for climate” and touchless features to self-disinfecting and military applications. A look at the regional aircraft the need for eco-friendly technol- lavatories to walls that expand to ac- engine that has maintained ogy, says Hans-Stefan Niebler, MTU commodate wheelchairs, all are in a high reliability rate Maintenance’s environmental and development. There are a lot of very sustainability officer. interesting technical developments MARKETPLACE Several large MROs around the occurring—and expect new applica- MRO 29 Lavatory Upgrades world are continuing to work on re - tions for narrowbody and widebody ducing emissions and energy con- aircraft in the next few months (page VIEWPOINT sumption, making maintenance MRO20). MRO 31 Jonas Murby, Aerodynamic processes greener and finding new It’s time to prepare for the future. c Advisory technologies to reduce their foot- COVER: LUFTHANSA TECHNIK print. The message is: Don’t cease —Lee Ann Shay

baesystems-ps.com AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO3 Inside Contents

MRO 4 NEWS BRIEFS & CONTRACTS MAINTENANCE CHECK SAFETY & REGULATORY MRO 5 Fume Mysteries A Lesson MRO 5 MAX Additive Fuel Ban MRO 6 Corrosion Concerns From Space MRO 7 ARSA Update

AIRLINE INSIGHT etting through now MRO 8 Air Zimbabwe can take a lot of en- Philip Zvasiya, maintenance ergy some days, but “The pandemic can be manager G I challenge you to look to a catalyst for change.” INTERVIEW the future: How will you de- MRO 9 Aftermarket Recovery: scribe your company post- The Ups and Downs Ted Colbert, Boeing Global pandemic? Mustering a carpe diem outlook and imagining a Services’ CEO few years out can be helpful. As author Adam Grant wrote in an essay about time travel in The New York Times, “Psycholo- OPERATIONS MRO 12 Maintaining the Environment gists find that looking to the future shifts our attention from the How MROs are making mundane ‘how’ of our days to the meaningful ‘why.’ Having an operations more sustainable emotional target to aim for can give us a purpose and help us WORKFORCE manage bouts of anxiety and frustration.” MRO 16 New Training Realities Emerging training Grant says this is how astronaut sustainability efforts because it could technologies and the Scott Kelly helped cope with the isola- put your company at a disadvantage workforce recovery tion of spending one year in space. He post-recovery (page MRO12). MRO 19 Recruitment Challenges envisioned how the mission would end. The COVID-19 crisis has also forced Demand rises for avionics “My goal was to get to the end of this airlines and the aftermarket to look specialists with both with the same enthusiasm and ability for new ways to comply with social- mechanical and electrical and energy as I had in the beginning,” distancing requirements and remote engineering skills Grant quotes Kelly as saying. working, which is speeding up adop- That requires focus, and while aviation of paperless maintenance and ENGINEERED tion is suffering a lot right now, many e-signatures (page MRO26). Could MRO 20 Sanitation Solutions airlines and aftermarket companies the growing momentum finally propel Pandemic and accessibility concerns prompt renewed are looking forward because they widespread adoption? look at lavatories know air travel will resume and our COVID has also been the catalyst industry will recover. for new training technologies that MRO 22 Seats The pandemic can be a catalyst can adapt content based on a learn- Seat makers find a limit for change. How is your company er’s behavior or performance, simi- in reducing weight adapting? lar to a video game or prompts from Here are some great examples a trainer at the gym (page MRO16). TECHNOLOGY MRO 26 Push to Paperless you’ll find in this issue: The result is better performance and The pandemic spurs further While this might surprise some, more engagement. digital adaptation the coronavirus’ toll on sustainabil- How you will maneuver in an air- ity efforts has not been bad (page craft lavatory in the future also is be- ENGINE ANALYSIS MRO12). “In fact, we have noticed ing influenced by the pandemic. From MRO 28 CF34 Stalwart increased attention for climate” and touchless features to self-disinfecting A look at the regional aircraft the need for eco-friendly technol- lavatories to walls that expand to ac- engine that has maintained ogy, says Hans-Stefan Niebler, MTU commodate wheelchairs, all are in a high reliability rate Maintenance’s environmental and development. There are a lot of very sustainability officer. interesting technical developments MARKETPLACE Several large MROs around the occurring—and expect new applica- MRO 29 Lavatory Upgrades world are continuing to work on re - tions for narrowbody and widebody ducing emissions and energy con- aircraft in the next few months (page VIEWPOINT sumption, making maintenance MRO20). MRO 31 Jonas Murby, Aerodynamic processes greener and finding new It’s time to prepare for the future. c Advisory technologies to reduce their foot- COVER: LUFTHANSA TECHNIK print. The message is: Don’t cease —Lee Ann Shay

AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO3 Inside News Briefs

Highlights Contracts Aerfin was selected by Great Dane Air- The Shifting Sands of Widebody MRO lines to provide component support for The desert around Alice Springs in Australia is becoming a little less three Embraer 195s under its BeyondPool desolate as Asian carriers begin to populate it with aircraft for storage. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines want to avoid flight-hour program. the humid conditions of their home regions and so are sending excess aircraft to the Australian desert. Aeronautical Engineers secured a GA Most of these are widebody aircraft, raising the question of how many Telesis order to convert an ex-Pegasus will ever return to passenger service. Consultancy IBA estimates that Boeing 737-800 to a freighter for comple- the global fleet will lose about 800 aircraft early due to the COVID-19 crisis. This may include up to a third of the Airbus A380 fleet as well tion in late 2020 in a deal that includes the as older widebodies such as the A340 and Boeing 747. option for a second. Modification work This trend bodes ill for a recovery of the widebody maintenance will be performed by Commercial Jet market, although a surprisingly low number of widebody order cancell- in Miami. ations have occurred amid the pandemic—just 32 in the first six months of the year versus 237 in the 2019 calendar year. IBA surmises that this highlights a structural requirement for effi- Airinmar won an Air Methods contract to cient widebodies, although another reason may be that the big wide - provide identification, claim, recovery and body customers tend to be airlines on the receiving end of government reporting of rotorcraft/aircraft component largesse during the crisis. warranty services.

SR Technics Restructures Business AJW Group extended its supply chain After acquiring 120 million Swiss francs ($125 million) of finance backed management agreement with EasyJet for by the Swiss government, SR Technics has announced plans to reshape another seven years. The deal includes full its business to focus on line maintenance and engine MRO services. The MRO provider acquired the extra line of credit to improve liquid- component repair and overhaul and provi- ity in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Swiss Confed- sion, storage and distribution of rotable, eration will support the bank-loaned finance with a 60% surety. The consumable and expendable material. agreement was finalized on July 15 with SR Technics, which is owned by Chinese conglomerate HNA Group. Boeing Global Services announced new After reviewing the competitiveness of its aftermarket services, the company says it will cease its design engineering services offering by supply chain agreements with Alaska Air- the end of 2020. SR Technics holds European Union Aviation Safety lines and All Nippon Airways and new Agency Part 21J Design Organization Approval, allowing it to design agreements for data-driven solutions with and certify major and minor modifications along with repairs on large Xiamen Airlines, Japan Airlines, All aircraft. It will also restructure its flight-hour-based component services port- Nippon Airways, Suparna Airlines, folio, which it plans to reduce. However, it will maintain its transactional Zhejiang Loong Airlines, West Air, component business while putting a stronger emphasis on component Guangxi Air, Urumqi Air, Air Changan repairs and trading activities. and Vistara.

HAECO Gains Chinese Part-Out Approval EFW was selected by Stratos Aircraft HAECO Xiamen’s Airbus A320 part-out capability has been approved Financing Solutions to convert an ex- by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. HAECO Xiamen is the AirAsiaX Airbus A330-300 to a freighter. only MRO in Eastern China to have obtained this approval, and it has undertaken its first A320 part-out project for Yan Wu Group—disas- sembling four aircraft for the Chinese mainland operator. Pratt & Whitney secured a 13-year Jet- The MRO is also providing two kinds of temporary cargo carriage Blue Airways contract to maintain 230 options for Cathay Pacific Airways. First, HAECO Xiamen is providing International Aero Engines V2500s under Cathay with a design engineering and certification solution that allows an EngineWise fixed-price program. the airline to use sections of its Boeing 777 cabins to carry cargo. The modification, which involves removing economy and premium economy seats to install cargo bags, is covered by a supplemental type certificate. Rossi Aero was selected by Antavia In addition, HAECO Xiamen has obtained an approval for a minor Ametek MRO to provide precision repair change on Cathay’s Airbus A330s. This modification kit, again fabri- of landing gear components. cated by HAECO Xiamen, includes cargo bags secured onto the existing seats. It has been reclassified by regulators as a minor change on Contract Source: SpeedNews a time-limited basis. c

MRO4 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside News Briefs Inside Safety & Regulatory

Highlights Contracts more data,” the AAIB said. “This has Fume Mysteries left the manufacturer reliant on re- The Shifting Sands of Widebody MRO Aerfin was selected by Great Dane Air- ported data, making the issue difficult lines to provide component support for Airbus has launched a formal program however, observe some common fac- to resolve in practical terms.” The desert around Alice Springs in Australia is becoming a little less three Embraer 195s under its BeyondPool to study onboard fume incidents and is tors. Among them: The incidents Airbus plans to use Project Fresh to desolate as Asian carriers begin to populate it with aircraft for storage. flight-hour program. developing an upgrade for the Airbus usually involved aircraft that stayed centralize analysis of related incidents. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines want to avoid A320 environmental control system. A overnight in damp or rainy weather It also plans to roll out “an enhanced the humid conditions of their home regions and so are sending excess UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch and started with a faint smell shortly ECS filtration system” that will include aircraft to the Australian desert. Aeronautical Engineers secured a GA report told of an in-service incident after departure. In each case, condi- a retrofit option, and it has published Most of these are widebody aircraft, raising the question of how many Telesis order to convert an ex-Pegasus that left a British Airways Airbus tions worsened rapidly during descent, an “information paper” that provides will ever return to passenger service. Consultancy IBA estimates that Boeing 737-800 to a freighter for comple- the global fleet will lose about 800 aircraft early due to the COVID-19 A320ceo first officer incapacitated fol- and odors were described using simi- “all the known aspects of fumes and crisis. This may include up to a third of the Airbus A380 fleet as well tion in late 2020 in a deal that includes the lowing a nerve-jangling approach and lar terms, including “sweaty socks, smoke events,” the AAIB said. as older widebodies such as the A340 and Boeing 747. option for a second. Modification work landing at London Heathrow Airport. manure and farmyard smells, which British Airways has put a post-fumes The September 2019 incident flight were unpleasant and distinctive,” the maintenance procedure in place and This trend bodes ill for a recovery of the widebody maintenance will be performed by Commercial Jet originated on a rainy morning in Zurich. AAIB said. will consider installing the new Airbus market, although a surprisingly low number of widebody order cancell- in Miami. ations have occurred amid the pandemic—just 32 in the first six months The crew noticed a slight odor shortly In most cases, the cabin crew did not ECS system when it is available. c of the year versus 237 in the 2019 calendar year. after departure, but it soon went away, report any issues. On the few flights IBA surmises that this highlights a structural requirement for effi- Airinmar won an Air Methods contract to and the crew opted to continue to Lon- where cabin occupants detected fumes, —Sean Broderick cient widebodies, although another reason may be that the big wide - provide identification, claim, recovery and don, an Air Accidents Investigation they were most prevalent in the galleys. body customers tend to be airlines on the receiving end of government reporting of rotorcraft/aircraft component Branch (AAIB) final report said. As Analysis of flight data recorder data largesse during the crisis. warranty services. the crew passed through 4,000 ft. on its found no correlation between engine approach into London, both pilots re- or systems settings and the presence ported a sudden, strong fume odor, the of fumes. The auxiliary power unit is MAX Fuel SR Technics Restructures Business AJW Group extended its supply chain report said. Both pilots donned their not considered a likely culprit, as it was After acquiring 120 million Swiss francs ($125 million) of finance backed management agreement with EasyJet for oxygen masks, and the captain made often not in use during the events. Off- Additive Ban by the Swiss government, SR Technics has announced plans to reshape another seven years. The deal includes full a “Pan-Pan” international urgency call aircraft factors, such as application of its business to focus on line maintenance and engine MRO services. component repair and overhaul and provi- to Heathrow tower controllers, who cleaning or anti-ice fluids before depar- Regulators have banned the use of The MRO provider acquired the extra line of credit to improve liquid- told two aircraft ahead of the British ture, were ruled out. The most effective Dupont’s Kathon FP 1.5 biocide in sion, storage and distribution of rotable, ity in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Swiss Confed- Airways A320 and one trailing it to go mitigation strategies included using Boeing 737 MAXs, the first of what is eration will support the bank-loaned finance with a 60% surety. The consumable and expendable material. around to give the stricken aircraft pri- “the smoke and fumes abnormal and likely to be a series of mandates to pro- agreement was finalized on July 15 with SR Technics, which is owned ority and a margin for error. emergency procedures,” the AAIB said. tect fuel systems from in-service inci- by Chinese conglomerate HNA Group. Boeing Global Services announced new The A320 landed and moved to a While few definitive conclusions can dents linked to the antimicrobial fuel After reviewing the competitiveness of its aftermarket services, the company says it will cease its design engineering services offering by supply chain agreements with Alaska Air- nearby taxiway, where it was met by be drawn, the AAIB has some theories. system additive. the end of 2020. SR Technics holds European Union Aviation Safety lines and All Nippon Airways and new emergency services. The co-pilot re- “The evidence indicates that it is likely The July 14 FAA airworthiness moved his mask to see if the fumes were that these fumes are derivatives of con- directive, immediately adopted by Agency Part 21J Design Organization Approval, allowing it to design agreements for data-driven solutions with and certify major and minor modifications along with repairs on large still present. He stated that they were, taminants entering the ECS,” the agency the European Union Aviation Safety Xiamen Airlines, Japan Airlines, All aircraft. and immediately began to feel nause- said. “It may not be a single compound Agency (EASA) and others, orders It will also restructure its flight-hour-based component services port- Nippon Airways, Suparna Airlines, ated. He then went to the lavatory while but a combination of compounds which MAX operators to remove Kathon folio, which it plans to reduce. However, it will maintain its transactional Zhejiang Loong Airlines, West Air, the captain requested air stairs to expe- react and then become airborne in the from engines and prohibits its use. component business while putting a stronger emphasis on component Guangxi Air, Urumqi Air, Air Changan dite getting medical personnel onboard. bleed air supplies passing through the Dupont removed Kathon from the Investigators learned that the odor ECS. The fumes may have similar traits aviation market in March based on repairs and trading activities. and Vistara. was limited to the cockpit—one of to hydrocarbon compounds combined findings from in-service incidents that three separate environmental control with water vapor in low concentration showed the additive, if not used correct- HAECO Gains Chinese Part-Out Approval EFW was selected by Stratos Aircraft system (ECS) climate-control zones on which are liberated as water vapor ly, can form fuel system-clogging salt HAECO Xiamen’s Airbus A320 part-out capability has been approved Financing Solutions to convert an ex- the A320. Nothing unusual was detect- condenses when it enters cooler condi- crystals. A GEnx-1B-powered Jetstar by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. HAECO Xiamen is the AirAsiaX Airbus A330-300 to a freighter. ed in the forward or aft cabin areas, tions, for example as it passes into the Boeing 787 suffered thrust loss in both only MRO in Eastern China to have obtained this approval, and it has the other two zones. flight deck or cabin via ducts.” engines in a March 2019 incident that undertaken its first A320 part-out project for Yan Wu Group—disas- Investigators could not determine Beyond analyzing data and com- was linked to Kathon use. An investiga- Pratt & Whitney secured a 13-year Jet- sembling four aircraft for the Chinese mainland operator. what caused the fumes. Prompted in paring witness observations, operation revealed that improper biocide-to- The MRO is also providing two kinds of temporary cargo carriage Blue Airways contract to maintain 230 part by British Airways’ report of hun- tors, investigators and Airbus have fuel ratios can lead to crystals forming options for Cathay Pacific Airways. First, HAECO Xiamen is providing International Aero Engines V2500s under dreds of fume or odor events in their largely been frustrated in their efforts and found seven other incidents where Cathay with a design engineering and certification solution that allows an EngineWise fixed-price program. A320 fleet over the previous year, the to understand the problem. No sample all the engines on an aircraft could not the airline to use sections of its Boeing 777 cabins to carry cargo. The AAIB took a deeper look at the issue, of the fumes has been captured, and be started. In each case, the issue was modification, which involves removing economy and premium economy and at five incidents in particular that nobody has been able to recreate the linked to improper ratios of Kathon to seats to install cargo bags, is covered by a supplemental type certificate. Rossi Aero was selected by Antavia happened in late 2019, including one scenario on the ground. fuel, or a failure to ensure the additive In addition, HAECO Xiamen has obtained an approval for a minor Ametek MRO to provide precision repair change on Cathay’s Airbus A330s. This modification kit, again fabri- nonrevenue flight. All involved Airbus “The unpredictable nature of the was sufficiently mixed in. of landing gear components. cated by HAECO Xiamen, includes cargo bags secured onto the exist- A320-family aircraft. events has also meant that it has not After Dupont pulled the product ing seats. It has been reclassified by regulators as a minor change on The AAIB did not find definitive been possible to construct an experi- from the aviation market, it urged Contract Source: SpeedNews a time-limited basis. c causes for any of the incidents. It did, mental flight-test schedule to capture distributors to do the same. General

MRO4 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO5 Inside Safety & Regulatory

Electric (GE) and its Safran joint MAXs to have undergone Kathon venture CFM International recom- treatment as part of their storage mended that operators not use the process before the fuel system con- product. Several regulators, including tamination issue came to light follow- the FAA, EASA and Australia’s Civil ing the Jetstar incident. The recent Aviation Safety Authority followed increase in parked aircraft triggered up with safety bulletins discouraging by the novel coronavirus pandemic Kathon’s use and providing general has come largely after Dupont pulled biocide use guidance. the product and regulators issued Both aircraft and engine manu- their warnings earlier this year. facturers are studying the issue, and The GEnx-1B’s involvement in the more mandates are expected. Jetstar incident makes it a likely tar- JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET “The FAA may consider similar rule- get for a mandate, while other Leap- making to address the unsafe condition on other airplane mod- powered models, including Airbus narrow bodies, will be els such as the aforementioned Boeing 787, pending findings scrutinized. from further investigation of other engines,” the agency says. In the Jetstar incident, the 787-8 was on approach to Kan- Because the issue affects the entire fuel system, both air- sai International Airport in Japan at 16,000 ft. preparing to frame and engine manufacturers are developing operational turn onto its downwind leg when the left engine temporar- guidance. The MAX directive is based on a June 24 Boeing ily fell below idle, followed shortly by the right engine. The multioperators message sent to MAX operators. Boeing’s anomalies were temporary, and the aircraft landed safely. guidance explains that 30 flight cycles following Kathon Investigators found the aircraft fuel system had had a treatment is sufficient to minimize the risk of anomalies. For biocide treatment two days before the flight. The biocide aircraft with Kathon that have not flown at least 30 cycles, apparently did not mix completely with the fuel already Boeing recommends a removal process. onboard, setting the stage for problems, Japan Transport Regulators did not indicate why they targeted the idled Safety Board investigators concluded. c MAX fleet as the first to have a Kathon ban. The fleet has been grounded since March 2019, making it more likely for —Sean Broderick

Corrision Concerns

MRO6 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Safety & Regulatory Inside Safety & Regulatory

Electric (GE) and its Safran joint MAXs to have undergone Kathon venture CFM International recom- treatment as part of their storage ARSA UPDATE mended that operators not use the process before the fuel system con- product. Several regulators, including tamination issue came to light follow- the FAA, EASA and Australia’s Civil ing the Jetstar incident. The recent A Caveman Could Do It Aviation Safety Authority followed increase in parked aircraft triggered up with safety bulletins discouraging by the novel coronavirus pandemic BEFORE PAPER WAS CREATED, MAN to personnel through a computer, it is As is often the case, the plain lan- Kathon’s use and providing general has come largely after Dupont pulled chiseled stone; no one asked where considered “electronic” and “requires” guage of a regulation and its meaning biocide use guidance. the product and regulators issued the stone was mined or the chisel the FAA to issue its “permission.” and intent is lost in the development Both aircraft and engine manu- their warnings earlier this year. made. When paper became ubiq- The requirement to have today’s of guidance material that does not facturers are studying the issue, and The GEnx-1B’s involvement in the uitous for recording laws and other stone tablets “approved” needs to be change with or follow the rule. Cer- more mandates are expected. Jetstar incident makes it a likely tar- JOEPRIESAVIATION.NET documents, no one asked how the pa- vigorously challenged if the industry tificate holders are reluctant to chal- “The FAA may consider similar rule- get for a mandate, while other Leap- per or ink was made or which pen was is ever going to adopt blockchain lenge the local interpretation since making to address the unsafe condition on other airplane mod- powered models, including Airbus narrow bodies, will be used. When the typewriter and then tools or any other paper-replacing few are reading the regulations them- els such as the aforementioned Boeing 787, pending findings scrutinized. word processor were invented, no technological efficiencies. For U.S. selves or truly understand the extent from further investigation of other engines,” the agency says. In the Jetstar incident, the 787-8 was on approach to Kan- Because the issue affects the entire fuel system, both air- sai International Airport in Japan at 16,000 ft. preparing to one asked which brand or model was repair stations, a rule change two and nature of the government’s legal

frame and engine manufacturers are developing operational turn onto its downwind leg when the left engine temporar- UNITED AIRLINES guidance. The MAX directive is based on a June 24 Boeing ily fell below idle, followed shortly by the right engine. The multioperators message sent to MAX operators. Boeing’s anomalies were temporary, and the aircraft landed safely. guidance explains that 30 flight cycles following Kathon Investigators found the aircraft fuel system had had a treatment is sufficient to minimize the risk of anomalies. For biocide treatment two days before the flight. The biocide aircraft with Kathon that have not flown at least 30 cycles, apparently did not mix completely with the fuel already Boeing recommends a removal process. onboard, setting the stage for problems, Japan Transport Regulators did not indicate why they targeted the idled Safety Board investigators concluded. c MAX fleet as the first to have a Kathon ban. The fleet has been grounded since March 2019, making it more likely for —Sean Broderick

Corrision Concerns

Concerns over storage-related corro- regulators, including Australia’s Civil are in long-term storage globally. sion in Boeing-supplied CFM56 fuel Aviation Safety Authority and EASA, The sudden removal of thousands system components linked to four immediately adopted the U.S. directive. of aircraft for extended periods dur- inflight shutdowns led regulators to The FAA directive applies to Boeing ing the COVID-19 pandemic-triggered order inspections before more than 737-300s, -400s, -500s, -600s, -700s, downturn has created numerous chal- 1,300 affected aircraft are returned to -800s and -900s powered by CFM In- lenges for operators and manufactur- service after extended downtime. ternational CFM56-3s and CFM56-7s. ers. Typical storage guidance from “Corrosion of the engine bleed-air Boeing provides the engines’ bleed-air airframe and engine OEMs assumes fifth-stage check-valve internal parts system, which directs air from the aircraft will be parked for months at during airplane storage may cause the engine compressor to support other a time and in conditions conducive to used, as with the paper upon which decades ago clearly enunciated the authority. The local inspector can cer- valve to stick in the open position,” the aircraft systems. Boeing alerted op- minimizing corrosion. But airlines have the record was printed or copied. expectation that the “media” by which tainly make life difficult, but failure to U.S. FAA said in a July 23 emergency erators of the issue on July 9. been forced to park aircraft at airfields Electronic methods for creating, manuals and other required docu- follow the regulations can be worse. airworthiness directive. “If this valve Beyond involving aircraft that were all over the world—not just in dry, arid signing and storing records are no ments would be created, stored and In the end, when failure to take advan- opens normally at takeoff power, it may out of service for an extended period of storage facilities—while waiting out different; they are no more vulnerable made available was up to the certifi- tage of the plain language of a rule is become stuck in the open position dur- time, the FAA directive does not provide the pandemic’s demand variations. to falsification, loss or destruction than cate holder. The FAA’s preamble said stymied by ignorance or reluctance to ing flight and fail to close when power details on common links between the in- In many cases, airlines discovered stone or paper. This modern meth- the government’s focus would be “buck” the system, the entire indus- is reduced at top of descent, resulting service incidents. The agency does not guidance provided by suppliers did not odology, however, has been under on the fact that the documents were try’s efforts to become efficient suffer. in an unrecoverable compressor stall say when the incidents took place. cover the middle ground of parking air- intense scrutiny for more than two available and current, rather than on But hey, a caveman can use stone and the inability to restart the engine.” Aviation Week Network fleet data craft for short periods. Manufacturers c The directive requires any aircraft showed that as of July 22 operators have been working to fill that gap and decades by civil aviation authorities. In the method by which that require- and chisel. . . . that has not “operated in flight” for at had 1,304 737s that met the FAA remind operators that environmental the U.S., a repair station needs a spe- ment was met. In other words, the least seven consecutive days to be in- criteria for needing inspections be - conditions, from humidity to failure to cial approval added to its certificate to certificate holder would be allowed Sarah MacLeod is managing member spected. The check includes manually cause they had been on the ground protect openings on aircraft from wild- use electronic manuals. The “require- to use hammer and chisel or a docu- of Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein and rotating valve flapper plates, checking for at least seven days. Operators in life, can affect airworthiness. c ment” cannot be found in regulations ment-management system controlled a founder and executive director of the bushings for cracks and ensuring certain the U.S. had 203 of them, the highest or law, but if the manual is provided by IT administration. Aeronautical Repair Station Association. parts are not rubbing together. Other share of any region. Another 1,007 —Sean Broderick

MRO6 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO7 Inside Airline Insight Air Zimbabwe Banned from flying into Europe and battling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Zimbabwe is facing challenges. In an interview with Inside MRO’s James Pozzi, Phillip Zvasiya, the airline’s maintenance manager, details how it is looking to overcome these issues while upgrading its MRO offerings. AIR ZIMBABWE

How will the airline’s April 2020 curements may be added depending on financial recovery plan affect Air demand for travel, in exchange for the Zimbabwe’s maintenance division? Boeing 777s, which we are leasing out. Air Zimbabwe Fact File The grounding of all operations gave Which new technologies are you FOUNDED: The airline was founded us an opportunity to finish major main- looking to add for your maintenance in 1980, replacing the previous tenance on some of our fleet without operation? entity formed when the country was commercial pressure. For example, known as Rhodesia. Air Zimbabwe we successfully completed a D check In the area of new technologies, we has been government-owned since on a Boeing 737-200, and it is now ser- are looking at ways to upgrade our in- 2014, but plans have been ongoing viceable, awaiting resumption of op- house maintenance software, as well as to partially privatize the airline. erations. We do not anticipate a major to upgrade an ATEC 5000, used to test Since May 2017, the carrier has impact on maintenance, as our recov- avionics equipment of both the Airbus been on a banned travel list for ery plan for operations post-COVID-19 and Boeing families of aircraft. failing to meet EU safety standards, will be phased, starting with domes- something that the airline says it tic, then regional routes, while char- What is Air Zimbabwe’s experience is working to overcome. ter operations also continue. We are of recruiting engineers and FLEET: Air Zimbabwe operates nine adequately prepared in every aspect maintenance technicians? Has this aircraft, consisting of two Airbus to ensure a smooth flow of operations proved challenging? A320-200s, two Boeing 737-200s, in our maintenance division. two 767-200s, one 777-200, one Over the years, Air Zimbabwe has Embraer 145 and a single Xian Does the airline have plans to meet been active in recruiting and produc- MA60 turboprop. European Union Aviation Safety ing highly qualified and sought-after Agency (EASA) standards to ensure its engineers in Africa and beyond from IN-HOUSE MAINTENANCE: Around ban from flying into Europe is lifted? our in-house training programs. We 95% of the airline’s maintenance have very highly qualified local engi- work is carried out in-house, with Yes, we have those plans, and it is al- neers with vast experience with A, B, C the remaining 5% outsourced to ready a work in progress as we seek and D checks on the Boeing fleet. Our partners including South African to address findings to meet the Third engineers have received commenda- Airways Technical, EgyptAir and Country Operator’s license approval. tions of excellence from the world’s Asia Aero Technic. In this quest so far, we regained our In- leading aircraft manufacturers, such CAPABILITIES: Air Zimbabwe’s ternational Air Transport Association as Boeing, for their sterling work in maintenance arm comprises three Operational Safety Audit certification aircraft modifications and manda- areas: engineering maintenance in December 2019. tory checks and services. Therefore, control, aircraft maintenance and we have not experienced any chal- workshops that provide MRO Do you expect the pandemic to lead lenges in that regard. In fact, we have and general engineering services. to any of Air Zimbabwe’s aircraft ongoing apprenticeship training and It also offers several nondestructive being retired or will all of the fleet partnerships with some universities testing services. and tertiary institutions here in Zim- resume service? HANGARS: The airline operates its babwe through the Ministry of Higher main hangar and line station in At the onset of the travel restrictions and Tertiary Education. But of course, Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. and lockdowns, we parked all our air- achieving EASA certification is critical. craft at our hangars here in Harare, and they have been undergoing active Are you looking to grow your third- But I must mention that we also offer maintenance. We expect all our fleet party services for other airlines? third-party technical services to indus- to resume service with an additional tries beyond aviation such as the motor Embraer 145 with the resumption of Certainly, we are looking to grow our trade, mining, engineering, manufactur- flights. A few more lease-ins or pro- third-party services for other airlines. ing and construction, among others. c

MRO8 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Airline Insight Inside Interview Air Zimbabwe Aftermarket Banned from flying into Europe and battling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Zimbabwe is facing challenges. In an Recovery: interview with Inside MRO’s James Pozzi, Phillip Zvasiya, the airline’s maintenance manager, details how it is looking to overcome The Ups and these issues while upgrading its MRO offerings. AIR ZIMBABWE Downs How will the airline’s April 2020 curements may be added depending on financial recovery plan affect Air demand for travel, in exchange for the Zimbabwe’s maintenance division? Boeing 777s, which we are leasing out. Air Zimbabwe Fact File The grounding of all operations gave Which new technologies are you FOUNDED: The airline was founded us an opportunity to finish major main- looking to add for your maintenance in 1980, replacing the previous tenance on some of our fleet without operation? entity formed when the country was commercial pressure. For example, known as Rhodesia. Air Zimbabwe we successfully completed a D check In the area of new technologies, we has been government-owned since on a Boeing 737-200, and it is now ser- are looking at ways to upgrade our in- 2014, but plans have been ongoing viceable, awaiting resumption of op- house maintenance software, as well as to partially privatize the airline. “When you are in a foxhole KARIM SAHIB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES erations. We do not anticipate a major to upgrade an ATEC 5000, used to test Since May 2017, the carrier has impact on maintenance, as our recov- avionics equipment of both the Airbus been on a banned travel list for with your teammates, you ery plan for operations post-COVID-19 and Boeing families of aircraft. failing to meet EU safety standards, form relationships that are will be phased, starting with domes- something that the airline says it sewn together more tightly tic, then regional routes, while char- What is Air Zimbabwe’s experience is working to overcome. and are ever-sustaining.” ter operations also continue. We are of recruiting engineers and FLEET: Air Zimbabwe operates nine adequately prepared in every aspect maintenance technicians? Has this aircraft, consisting of two Airbus to ensure a smooth flow of operations proved challenging? A320-200s, two Boeing 737-200s, in our maintenance division. two 767-200s, one 777-200, one Ted Colbert, Boeing Global Services CEO, talks with Lee Ann Shay That said, we’re staying close to, and Over the years, Air Zimbabwe has Embraer 145 and a single Xian about how the aftermarket is changing and how the OEM is working partnered with, our customers. We Does the airline have plans to meet been active in recruiting and produc- MA60 turboprop. are all working together to help each European Union Aviation Safety ing highly qualified and sought-after with suppliers and customers to navigate this uncharted course. other, but it’s going to take years to Agency (EASA) standards to ensure its engineers in Africa and beyond from IN-HOUSE MAINTENANCE: Around return our industry to what it was ban from flying into Europe is lifted? our in-house training programs. We 95% of the airline’s maintenance What does the 737 MAX return to storage challenges and opportunities. just a few months ago. We’ll make ad- have very highly qualified local engi- work is carried out in-house, with service look like from a services justments to meet market dynamics Yes, we have those plans, and it is al- neers with vast experience with A, B, C the remaining 5% outsourced to perspective? How is the COVID-19 pandemic chang- around the world and evolve our offer- ready a work in progress as we seek and D checks on the Boeing fleet. Our partners including South African ing the services landscape? ings to support them. We believe there to address findings to meet the Third engineers have received commenda- Airways Technical, EgyptAir and I stay very close to my commercial avi- is a role for BGS to play as customers Country Operator’s license approval. tions of excellence from the world’s Asia Aero Technic. ation partner, Stan Deal, on all things We are in the middle of a confluence of optimize the efficiencies of their oper- In this quest so far, we regained our In- leading aircraft manufacturers, such CAPABILITIES: Air Zimbabwe’s MAX. Together, and with the rest of unprecedented challenges. Who would ations. That’s where the conversation ternational Air Transport Association as Boeing, for their sterling work in maintenance arm comprises three the company, we work closely with the have known a year ago that COVID-19 settles. As you can imagine, within the Operational Safety Audit certification aircraft modifications and manda- areas: engineering maintenance FAA and other regulators to make sure would be impacting every aspect of company, a lot of changes are going on in December 2019. tory checks and services. Therefore, control, aircraft maintenance and all of the requirements are addressed our industry, with huge cuts in com- to step up our vigilance to protect our we have not experienced any chal- workshops that provide MRO and we can ensure a safe return to mercial jet services over the next few teammates. Every call that I have with Do you expect the pandemic to lead lenges in that regard. In fact, we have and general engineering services. service. Pilot training will only begin years? We’re in the middle of a signifi- my direct leadership team, our man- to any of Air Zimbabwe’s aircraft ongoing apprenticeship training and It also offers several nondestructive once the training requirements are es- cant crisis that will affect us for a long agement team and our employees—the being retired or will all of the fleet partnerships with some universities testing services. tablished and our courses are evalu- time. We’re seeing direct impacts to thing I keep repeating is: Our first pri- and tertiary institutions here in Zim- ated and validated by the regulators. the supply chain, as you can imagine, ority is to protect our employees and resume service? HANGARS: The airline operates its babwe through the Ministry of Higher Boeing Global Services plays a signifi- including lower demand for parts and customers and to keep our business main hangar and line station in At the onset of the travel restrictions and Tertiary Education. But of course, cant role in that. We’ve recommended logistics. Customers are curtailing running. They work together. That’s Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. and lockdowns, we parked all our air- achieving EASA certification is critical. simulator and computer-based train- discretionary spending on mods and going well beyond personal protective craft at our hangars here in Harare, ing for all MAX pilots prior to return upgrades and instead are focusing on equipment, physical distancing and and they have been undergoing active Are you looking to grow your third- But I must mention that we also offer to service. Beyond training, parts are the required maintenance. COVID-19’s cleaning procedures. maintenance. We expect all our fleet party services for other airlines? third-party technical services to indus- critically important. We’re making impact has hit every part of BGS, in- to resume service with an additional tries beyond aviation such as the motor sure parts are available both inside the cluding digital. The reduction in flight How do you expect parts sales, in- Embraer 145 with the resumption of Certainly, we are looking to grow our trade, mining, engineering, manufactur- company and to our customers. We’ve hours has a direct impact, and we ex- cluding used serviceable material flights. A few more lease-ins or pro- third-party services for other airlines. ing and construction, among others. c also been working with them on any pect a long, delayed recovery period. (USM), to change?

MRO8 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO9 Inside Interview

Customers are looking now more than to service, the aircraft are at the right plexity of some of our offerings and ever for solutions to help service air- maintenance levels. think about their suitability for the planes while reducing inventory costs long term. Another positive is that and streamlining operations. We’re do- Are you seeing any red flags that our team, which was relatively new ing the same thing, including optimiz- airlines or MROs are experiencing? in working together, has been working what we have, reducing as much Are there liquidity concerns? ing jointly on a day-to-day basis, and inventory as possible and being more we are all aligned on what we need to efficient. We’ve seen a rise in the num- The MROs are all going through simi- accomplish today and what the knobs ber of parked fleets, which has caused lar challenges that we are: reductions and levers are for when recovery hap- a huge increase in maintenance, stor- and reduced demand. It’s a tough en- pens. That’s good. age and fleet support for the parked vironment right now, and we’re all Another bright spot is that we’ve airplanes. We have a bunch of products weathering this confluence of chal- been able to move some employees that help with fleet storage and main- lenges. As we get through it, we’ll who focused on commercial jobs to tenance to support our aircraft. figure out more of what the future our government work, which has seen In addition, we have consumables looks like. Everyone is trying to re - some growth areas. That has helped us and expendables, and a program that duce inventory, simplify offerings. We relieve some head count issues. supports that. We also have a pro - all have challenges of head count and gram called the Boeing Tailored Parts right-sizing because of the trough that Any predictions for rate of recovery? Package, which is customizable and we’re in from a demand perspective. allows customers to save on inventory But at some point, we will recover, and Services will lag flight hours in the expenses. You can combine across we want to be ready for that. commercial aviation business. Our offerings and transactional parts, so customers are all going through re - customers can focus on operations and Will you still be making enhance ally rough periods, and we’re trying not parts and inventory management. ments to your digital offerings? to stay close to them and provide That’s a big chunk of parts. whatever solutions they want to solve We know USM will play a significant We are still committed to both en- their challenges. On the government role as many aircraft will not return to hancing and—hopefully, at some side of business, most of our business service, which will create additional op- point—growing the sort of market is deemed essential. tions of supply for airlines and MROs. saturation of our digital offerings We’re working across the enterprise and potentially even expanding at International traffic is pre dicted to figure out what those offerings will some point. Right now, we’re using to come back last. Are you con look like from a competitive perspec- this period to make sure we have the cerned about widebody after tive—leveraging used, exchanged and right structure and infrastructure, market services? leased offerings. We haven’t complete- and capabilities within the organiza- ly sewn that together yet, but we know tion. We can’t really overinvest in any- We’ll have to wait and see. There are an opportunity exists there. We’re en- thing right now. We are all challenged so many diverse market dynamics— gaging in sourcing parts off the USM from a liquidity perspective. But we’re you could create a long equation of market to offer to our customers for a making sure the infrastructure in the variables. And then you could break really competitive solution. We have a digital space is right, the offerings that down by world region. There’s ton of inventory we’re trying to man- are right and we have a perspective a lot to watch right now for global age well, and we have to make the right on where to grow as we come out of economic dynamics. Let’s be honest: bets on USM. COVID-19 when it happens. COVID-19 is going to be with us for some time. I think we’ll see more of a Do you have any concerns about the Do you see any positives during this W than a V recovery. Boeing aircraft that are parked? difficult time? Given these unknowns, how is your I wouldn’t say concerns. The first When you are in the foxhole with your supply chain? mission is to stay connected with our teammates, you build relationships customers with regard to the parked that are sewn together more tightly Any small business is challenged be- fleet and make any treatment to the and are ever-sustaining. Since March, cause they’re taking on secondary plane we can support, whether it’s we’ve been on the phone with our team and tertiary effects of demand. We cycling APUs [auxiliary power units] every single working day. Our focus on are working very closely with them or the electronics, dealing with envi- the business fundamentals has been a to manage inventory and make sure ronmental challenges or using digi- huge priority. We’ve built more clarity we take care of both the supply chain tal offerings to keep track of planes over time of where we need to focus and customers. The whole ecosystem weathering the parked period. It’s a as a service business, how we need to is very strained—we’re trying to fig- day-to-day opportunity for all of us to right-size ourself to really support our ure out how to help our customers, stay close. We are there as partners customers and how we will compete our supply chain and ourselves as to make sure their parked planes stay going forward. This time has allowed much as we can. It’s a very dynamic healthy, and when it’s time to return us to dig into the diversity and com- environment. c

MRO10 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Interview DISCOVER ANALYZE Customers are looking now more than to service, the aircraft are at the right plexity of some of our offerings and PLAN ever for solutions to help service air- maintenance levels. think about their suitability for the planes while reducing inventory costs long term. Another positive is that FORECAST and streamlining operations. We’re do- Are you seeing any red flags that our team, which was relatively new ing the same thing, including optimiz- airlines or MROs are experiencing? in working together, has been working what we have, reducing as much Are there liquidity concerns? ing jointly on a day-to-day basis, and inventory as possible and being more we are all aligned on what we need to efficient. We’ve seen a rise in the num- The MROs are all going through simi- accomplish today and what the knobs 2021 Commercial Fleet & MRO ber of parked fleets, which has caused lar challenges that we are: reductions and levers are for when recovery hap- a huge increase in maintenance, stor- and reduced demand. It’s a tough en- pens. That’s good. Forecast Ð Just Released! age and fleet support for the parked vironment right now, and we’re all Another bright spot is that we’ve airplanes. We have a bunch of products weathering this confluence of chal- been able to move some employees that help with fleet storage and main- lenges. As we get through it, we’ll who focused on commercial jobs to tenance to support our aircraft. figure out more of what the future our government work, which has seen In addition, we have consumables looks like. Everyone is trying to re - some growth areas. That has helped us and expendables, and a program that duce inventory, simplify offerings. We relieve some head count issues. supports that. We also have a pro - all have challenges of head count and gram called the Boeing Tailored Parts right-sizing because of the trough that Any predictions for rate of recovery? Package, which is customizable and we’re in from a demand perspective. allows customers to save on inventory But at some point, we will recover, and Services will lag flight hours in the expenses. You can combine across we want to be ready for that. commercial aviation business. Our offerings and transactional parts, so customers are all going through re - customers can focus on operations and Will you still be making enhance ally rough periods, and we’re trying not parts and inventory management. ments to your digital offerings? to stay close to them and provide Predictive Intelligence That’s a big chunk of parts. whatever solutions they want to solve We know USM will play a significant We are still committed to both en- their challenges. On the government role as many aircraft will not return to hancing and—hopefully, at some side of business, most of our business service, which will create additional op- point—growing the sort of market is deemed essential. to Drive Results tions of supply for airlines and MROs. saturation of our digital offerings We’re working across the enterprise and potentially even expanding at International traffic is pre dicted to figure out what those offerings will some point. Right now, we’re using to come back last. Are you con look like from a competitive perspec- this period to make sure we have the cerned about widebody after tive—leveraging used, exchanged and right structure and infrastructure, market services? leased offerings. We haven’t complete- and capabilities within the organiza- ly sewn that together yet, but we know tion. We can’t really overinvest in any- We’ll have to wait and see. There are With Aviation Week Network’s Fleet & MRO Forecast, gain a an opportunity exists there. We’re en- thing right now. We are all challenged so many diverse market dynamics— 10-year outlook to minimize risk and maximize revenue. gaging in sourcing parts off the USM from a liquidity perspective. But we’re you could create a long equation of market to offer to our customers for a making sure the infrastructure in the variables. And then you could break really competitive solution. We have a digital space is right, the offerings that down by world region. There’s • Fleets, trends, and projections ton of inventory we’re trying to man- are right and we have a perspective a lot to watch right now for global • Predictive view of market share age well, and we have to make the right on where to grow as we come out of economic dynamics. Let’s be honest: bets on USM. COVID-19 when it happens. COVID-19 is going to be with us for • MRO future demand some time. I think we’ll see more of a Do you have any concerns about the Do you see any positives during this W than a V recovery. Boeing aircraft that are parked? difficult time? Given these unknowns, how is your Take your business to the I wouldn’t say concerns. The first When you are in the foxhole with your supply chain? next level. mission is to stay connected with our teammates, you build relationships customers with regard to the parked that are sewn together more tightly Any small business is challenged be- fleet and make any treatment to the and are ever-sustaining. Since March, cause they’re taking on secondary plane we can support, whether it’s we’ve been on the phone with our team and tertiary effects of demand. We For more information, visit cycling APUs [auxiliary power units] every single working day. Our focus on are working very closely with them aviationweek.com/forecasts or the electronics, dealing with envi- the business fundamentals has been a to manage inventory and make sure ronmental challenges or using digi- huge priority. We’ve built more clarity we take care of both the supply chain or call Anne McMahon at +1 646 291 6353 tal offerings to keep track of planes over time of where we need to focus and customers. The whole ecosystem Available for: or Thom Clayton +44 (0) 20 7017 6106 weathering the parked period. It’s a as a service business, how we need to is very strained—we’re trying to fig- day-to-day opportunity for all of us to right-size ourself to really support our ure out how to help our customers, COMMERCIAL stay close. We are there as partners customers and how we will compete our supply chain and ourselves as MILITARY to make sure their parked planes stay going forward. This time has allowed much as we can. It’s a very dynamic BUSINESS healthy, and when it’s time to return us to dig into the diversity and com- environment. c HELICOPTER

MRO10 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Operations Maintaining the Environment

well down the agenda for aftermarket companies, but this MROs have multiple ways does not appear to be the case so far. “COVID-19 has caused a huge impact on the global aviation industry, and MRO has also been directly affected, to make operations more but we believe that these pressures and impacts are short- term,” says Norbert Marx, chief executive of Guangzhou, sustainable and could be China-based MRO provider Gameco. “Gameco’s investment in clean production and sustain- at a disadvantage if they able development will not be affected,” he adds. In response to local and national environmental regula- do not pursue them tions such as China’s Clean Production Promotion Law as well as internal targets, Gameco has continually invested in sustainable development. Other maintenance companies have pursued similar agendas, and as a result of the robustness of the sustainability-linked systems and processes al- Alex Derber London ready in place, COVID-19 is unlikely to cause these standards to slip. There have even been some unanticipated positive ef- The aviation industry’s efforts to fects from the pandemic and mass lockdowns that followed. improve its environmental credentials are almost always associated with aircraft emissions, ONE IN A SERIES masking the fact that manufacturers and maintenance providers have made great leaps forward in improving the sustainability of their own operations in recent years.

Carbon dioxide generated by flights will remain the key

issue for commercial aviation to tackle going forward, but MTU if business returns to normal at some point after the pandemic, overall airline emissions are likely to rise unless there Many MRO providers have installed LED lighting to lower is a revolution in propulsion technology. The aftermarket, their energy consumption. in contrast, can follow numerous avenues toward a carbon- neutral future as well as adopt strategies to reduce waste and “In fact, we have noticed increased attention to climate boost the efficiency of resource consumption related to MRO. topics and interest in the health and safety of our employ- The incentives to do so can come from legislation, share- ees throughout this pandemic,” says Hans-Stefan Niebler, holders, employees and environmentally minded custom- environmental and sustainability officer for MTU Mainte- ers. There is also a growing financial motivation, not just nance Hannover in Germany. from internal efficiency improvements but also from the “This is in part due to increased awareness for the need nascent green finance sector, which in the past 12 months for eco-efficient technology but also to the shift in working has provided loans linked to sustainability to JetBlue, models to include more home office use, which, through Etihad and lessor Avation. virtual conferencing, reduces emissions.” Indeed, the replacement of physical events such as meet- CORONAVIRUS IMPACT ings and conferences with online equivalents is destined to Given the huge financial stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, shrink the carbon footprint of many businesses, but MRO one could imagine that environmental concerns would drop providers can go a step further by providing their custom-

LOGO: ARTHOBBIT/UDEFINED UNDEFINED/WASTESOUL/MARYLOO/GETTY IMAGES MRO12 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Operations Maintaining the Environment well down the agenda for aftermarket companies, but this MROs have multiple ways does not appear to be the case so far. “COVID-19 has caused a huge impact on the global aviation industry, and MRO has also been directly affected, to make operations more but we believe that these pressures and impacts are short- term,” says Norbert Marx, chief executive of Guangzhou, sustainable and could be China-based MRO provider Gameco. “Gameco’s investment in clean production and sustain- at a disadvantage if they able development will not be affected,” he adds. In response to local and national environmental regula- Carbon dioxide emissions from flights will do not pursue them tions such as China’s Clean Production Promotion Law as remain a key environmental issue for aviation. well as internal targets, Gameco has continually invested in sustainable development. Other maintenance companies ADOBESTOCK have pursued similar agendas, and as a result of the robust- ers with remote-monitoring solutions for the work that is halon gas, via a new procedure that keeps the gas in the con- ness of the sustainability-linked systems and processes al- being done in their shops. tainer. This “significantly” reduces loss of the previously ir- Alex Derber London ready in place, COVID-19 is unlikely to cause these standards For example, in March 2020 Lufthansa Technik (LHT) replaceable halon and shortens the processing time. to slip. There have even been some unanticipated positive ef- began to test its “Virtual Table Inspection” via its Aviatar Another goal is to reduce the use of very hazardous sub- The aviation industry’s efforts to fects from the pandemic and mass lockdowns that followed. platform. This allows airlines to participate in detailed in- stances by 25% over the next five years. In this, Lufthansa improve its environmental cre- spections of engine modules through a 5G video link rather Technik is helped sometimes by advances from suppliers, than being present on site. This is something that has only such as in the rapid development of chrome-free paints for dentials are almost always asso- become possible with the advent of 5G, as the transmission aircraft. Chrome—notably hexavalent chromium—had long ciated with aircraft emissions, quality of standard Wi-Fi is often insufficient to transmit been used in paint to counter corrosion, but its carcinogenic ONE IN A SERIES masking the fact that manufac- the razor-sharp images that customers need if they are to properties pose risks to paint-shop workers and to the en- turers and maintenance providers have made spot tiny scratches and defects. vironment when disposed of. Gameco is also excited about the possibilities of 5G con- Unfortunately, the implementation of new chrome-free great leaps forward in improving the sustain- nectivity and new hardware for augmented and virtual real- primers with much greater durability than their predeces- ability of their own operations in recent years. ity; it is conducting extensive research into them for functions sors has necessitated the development of better paint strip- like remote engineering support, technician training and pers, which raises different environmental concerns. Having Carbon dioxide generated by flights will remain the key paperless recordkeeping. Marx says this will “reduce re- tested and ditched laser-stripping as an alternative to the

issue for commercial aviation to tackle going forward, but MTU source consumption and save energy, manpower and time.” chemical stripping of paint that still dominates, the search if business returns to normal at some point after the pan- is still on for Lufthansa Technik and others to improve this demic, overall airline emissions are likely to rise unless there SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES part of the process as well. Many MRO providers have installed LED lighting to lower is a revolution in propulsion technology. The aftermarket, “We expect that measures to address climate change and “A focus of our activities in the coming years will be the their energy consumption. in contrast, can follow numerous avenues toward a carbon- improve resource efficiency as well as chemical safety will further expansion of the use of renewable energy as well as neutral future as well as adopt strategies to reduce waste and “In fact, we have noticed increased attention to climate continue to be demanded by customers and the public, the replacement of particularly harmful substances such as boost the efficiency of resource consumption related to MRO. topics and interest in the health and safety of our employ- both during and especially after the coronavirus crisis is chromates in maintenance processes,” Wunderlich says. The incentives to do so can come from legislation, share- ees throughout this pandemic,” says Hans-Stefan Niebler, resolved,” says Ralf Wunderlich, head of environmental Gameco has also improved the environmental footprint of holders, employees and environmentally minded custom- environmental and sustainability officer for MTU Mainte- management at Lufthansa Technik. its painting processes, switching to water-based paints for ers. There is also a growing financial motivation, not just nance Hannover in Germany. Wunderlich notes that over the past decade, Lufthansa cabin parts and investing in high-performance spray guns from internal efficiency improvements but also from the “This is in part due to increased awareness for the need Technik has reduced its carbon emissions by half despite that improve efficiency and use less paint. nascent green finance sector, which in the past 12 months for eco-efficient technology but also to the shift in working a massive increase in sales. Since the end of 2019, all of its It has implemented “smart” controls as well to reduce has provided loans linked to sustainability to JetBlue, models to include more home office use, which, through sites in Germany and Austria have been fully powered by its water, electricity and gas consumption, alongside other Etihad and lessor Avation. virtual conferencing, reduces emissions.” renewable electricity, and the company is targeting a further technologies such as LED lighting, hangar air conditioning Indeed, the replacement of physical events such as meet- 25% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025. modifications and an aircraft dry-wash project. CORONAVIRUS IMPACT ings and conferences with online equivalents is destined to To protect the ozone layer, LHT also has improved the Like Gameco, MTU has prioritized energy efficiency in Given the huge financial stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, shrink the carbon footprint of many businesses, but MRO overhaul process for aircraft fire extinguishers, which typi- many of its environmental projects. In 2019, the company one could imagine that environmental concerns would drop providers can go a step further by providing their custom- cally require the removal and reinsertion of ozone-depleting saved 75,000 kWh at its largest maintenance facility in

LOGO: ARTHOBBIT/UDEFINED UNDEFINED/WASTESOUL/MARYLOO/GETTY IMAGES MRO12 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO13 Inside Operations

MTU is hoping to gain approval to use biofuels in its engine test cells.

MTU Hannover by exchanging continuous pumps for frequency- cessing and the pass rate of the parts produced,“ Marx says. controlled pumps, and it expects further savings once it MTU, meanwhile, is seeking to improve the efficiency of completes a swap-out of its heat exchangers this year. its engine testing by incorporating alternative fuels such “Furthermore, we have been able to save 245 megawatt as biofuels made from recycled oil and fats. “If this proves hours yearly by more efficiently using heat energy,” says promising, we will consider rolling it out worldwide,” says Niebler, adding: “Heat created by pressurized air has re- Niebler. “Currently, it is not possible to reduce CO2 emis- lieved our reliance on our cooling circuits.” sions during test runs, as the fuel-burn and test-run proce- Indirect policies can also have a positive impact on the dure is set by external regulations and standards.” environment, such as MTU Hannover’s use where possible of vendors within a 50-km (31-mi.) radius of its facility to PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE help reduce CO2 emissions from its supply chain. In recent years, major institutional shareholders have become Niebler cites maintenance itself as a source of sustainabil- far more vocal about the environmental impact of the com- ity, too, for example by offering proprietary repairs on parts panies in which they invest. One of the largest is Norway’s that might otherwise be discarded and replaced. “We man- sovereign wealth fund, which last year moved to divest $13 age to give around 70% of all engine blades a second, third billion of investments in hundreds of oil and coal companies. or even fourth lease on life. We are gradually expanding While Norway’s $1 trillion fund has more clout than this product recycling approach to include new processes most, other big investors are responding to public pressure with an eye to achieving even longer service lives and thus and demanding better environmental, social and corpo - greater material efficiency.” rate governance performance from listed companies. This raises the question of whether MRO providers that are SUSTAINING MOMENTUM publicly traded—or are part of larger listed entities—could Further advances in material efficiency may result from face greater pressure than their privately held competitors the advance of 3D printing in the MRO sector. This tech- to operate sustainably. nology avoids the waste of traditional subtractive manu- “Through our role as a DAX-30 company, analysts and facturing technologies like milling and is increasingly being shareholders also have increasing sustainability require- used to do more than simple prototyping. ments regarding risks and [opportunities],” says Niebler Examples include the manufacture of replacement of the Frankfurt-listed MTU. cabin parts and new repair techniques that allow main- Lufthansa Technik is also listed in Germany as part of tenance providers to tackle complex geometries, either the wider Lufthansa Group, although Wunderlich does not to treat wear, restore design shape or both. The amount think this makes any difference to its stance on sustain- of post-processing is reduced when compared with many ability. But he also does not see any competitive disadvan- welding techniques, which require excess material to tage from that stance. be machined off afterward. And the lower energy input Niebler concurs, noting that sustainability is more of required by additive-manufacturing-based repairs bur- an opportunity than a challenge or hindrance. nishes their green credentials further. “We firmly believe that taking a sustainable approach “The application of 3D printing in aviation part machining to our business will allow us to remain competitive and will greatly improve raw material savings, the accuracy of pro- successful in the long term,” he says. c

MRO14 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Operations SAVE THE DATE Big Things Are Coming!

MRO TransAtlantic

MTU is hoping to gain approval to October 27-29 use biofuels in its engine test cells.

MTU Hannover by exchanging continuous pumps for frequency- cessing and the pass rate of the parts produced,“ Marx says. controlled pumps, and it expects further savings once it MTU, meanwhile, is seeking to improve the efficiency of completes a swap-out of its heat exchangers this year. its engine testing by incorporating alternative fuels such “Furthermore, we have been able to save 245 megawatt as biofuels made from recycled oil and fats. “If this proves hours yearly by more efficiently using heat energy,” says promising, we will consider rolling it out worldwide,” says MRO TransAtlantic Virtual’s live streamed and on-demand Niebler, adding: “Heat created by pressurized air has re- Niebler. “Currently, it is not possible to reduce CO2 emis- lieved our reliance on our cooling circuits.” sions during test runs, as the fuel-burn and test-run proce- conference agenda will provide information on: Indirect policies can also have a positive impact on the dure is set by external regulations and standards.” environment, such as MTU Hannover’s use where possible of vendors within a 50-km (31-mi.) radius of its facility to PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE help reduce CO2 emissions from its supply chain. In recent years, major institutional shareholders have become Fireside Chats with: • Global Leaders Panel Niebler cites maintenance itself as a source of sustainabil- far more vocal about the environmental impact of the com- ity, too, for example by offering proprietary repairs on parts panies in which they invest. One of the largest is Norway’s • Airline Risk Management that might otherwise be discarded and replaced. “We man- sovereign wealth fund, which last year moved to divest $13 age to give around 70% of all engine blades a second, third billion of investments in hundreds of oil and coal companies. & Recovery or even fourth lease on life. We are gradually expanding While Norway’s $1 trillion fund has more clout than this product recycling approach to include new processes most, other big investors are responding to public pressure with an eye to achieving even longer service lives and thus and demanding better environmental, social and corpo - • Forecast for Europe and greater material efficiency.” rate governance performance from listed companies. This North America raises the question of whether MRO providers that are SUSTAINING MOMENTUM publicly traded—or are part of larger listed entities—could Further advances in material efficiency may result from face greater pressure than their privately held competitors • Embracing the Diverse Future the advance of 3D printing in the MRO sector. This tech- to operate sustainably. nology avoids the waste of traditional subtractive manu- “Through our role as a DAX-30 company, analysts and Jeff Martin Doug Parker • Restoring Public Confidence facturing technologies like milling and is increasingly being shareholders also have increasing sustainability require- COO CEO used to do more than simple prototyping. ments regarding risks and [opportunities],” says Niebler in Air Travel Examples include the manufacture of replacement of the Frankfurt-listed MTU. cabin parts and new repair techniques that allow main- Lufthansa Technik is also listed in Germany as part of tenance providers to tackle complex geometries, either the wider Lufthansa Group, although Wunderlich does not to treat wear, restore design shape or both. The amount think this makes any difference to its stance on sustain- of post-processing is reduced when compared with many ability. But he also does not see any competitive disadvan- Secure your place: mrotransatlantic.aviationweek.com welding techniques, which require excess material to tage from that stance. Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities Available be machined off afterward. And the lower energy input Niebler concurs, noting that sustainability is more of required by additive-manufacturing-based repairs bur- an opportunity than a challenge or hindrance. nishes their green credentials further. “We firmly believe that taking a sustainable approach “The application of 3D printing in aviation part machining to our business will allow us to remain competitive and will greatly improve raw material savings, the accuracy of pro- successful in the long term,” he says. c #MROTAV |

MRO14 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Workforce New Training Realities How emerging training technologies could help MRO workforce recovery after the pandemic Lindsay Bjerregaard Chicago

hen the novel coronavirus plea delivered from multiple schools behind Fulcrum Labs’ Adaptive 3.0 crisis came to a head in to Fulcrum Labs, which provides an learning platform, says Joiner, is simi- Wmid-March, aviation main- artificial-intelligence-driven adaptive lar to a video game or a trainer in the tenance technician schools (AMTS) learning platform. “People were just gym, where the platform adjusts con- scrambled to transition their lecture- trying to shoehorn what they were tent based on a learner’s behaviors based coursework online as quickly doing in person into Zoom, which and performance to produce “optimal as possible to keep students learning. doesn’t really work,” says Craig Joiner, challenge.” If the process is too diffi- Some schools with existing infrastruc- senior vice president for brand expe- cult, a student will get frustrated and ture for remote learning handled this rience at Fulcrum Labs. “You can’t give up, but if it is too easy they lose adroitly, working with regulators to just throw something out there. You confidence that the process is worth make sure coursework met require- need a platform that’s going to live up their time at all. ments while ramping up its usage. to expectations.” “The idea is it’s this learning sweet Momen tum and morale remained as Joiner notes that studies have spot that really keeps people engaged high as could be expected for a while, shown that students will stay engaged and is pushing and motivating them,” but as the pandemic dragged on, longer if given some choice over their says Joiner. The platform breaks con- “Zoom fatigue” began to kick in. learning experience—even with ma- tent up into smaller chunks and gives “The students are revolting” was a terial they find boring. The concept people a choice of how they want to

Avatar Partners says augmented reality could reduce training time by more than 81%. AVATAR PARTNERS

MRO16 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Workforce

learn—whether reading, watching a perceptions of e-learning assume it is ing programs that capture “nuggets New Training Realities piece of multimedia content or jump- impersonal and poorly designed as a of wisdom” from processes that may ing into a practice area to assess their “quick tick-in-the-box form of comply- not even be documented anywhere. How emerging training technologies could help skills. If a student is not performing ing with regulations.” He notes that Brooke says the company’s products MRO workforce recovery after the pandemic well in the practice area, the platform while e-learning can be good on its have helped customers reduce training nudges them back to content areas in own for things such as exam practice time by an average of 81% Lindsay Bjerregaard Chicago which they are weaker to build up bet- courses, it falls short when students For example, Avatar developed an ter mastery and confidence. need to apply that knowledge in real- AR program for engine maintenance, hen the novel coronavirus plea delivered from multiple schools behind Fulcrum Labs’ Adaptive 3.0 The idea of building confidence was world scenarios. which was tested with a novice techni- crisis came to a head in to Fulcrum Labs, which provides an learning platform, says Joiner, is simi- behind Fulcrum Labs’ existing part- In a well-designed blended learn- cian who had been on the job for only Wmid-March, aviation main- artificial-intelligence-driven adaptive lar to a video game or a trainer in the nership with the Aviation Institute ing course, Lee says foundational two months and had never encountered tenance technician schools (AMTS) learning platform. “People were just gym, where the platform adjusts con- of Maintenance (AIM) at all of its 13 level knowledge is delivered in a vir- the engine type before. “He basically, scrambled to transition their lecture- trying to shoehorn what they were tent based on a learner’s behaviors campuses to prepare students for FAA tual learning environment before without ever even seeing this engine based coursework online as quickly doing in person into Zoom, which and performance to produce “optimal certification exams. AIM says lever- skills-based activities take place in before, put on the HoloLens glasses, as possible to keep students learning. doesn’t really work,” says Craig Joiner, challenge.” If the process is too diffi- aging Fulcrum’s Adaptive 3.0 learn- the classroom—whether it is physi- turned on our AR application and Some schools with existing infrastruc- senior vice president for brand expe- cult, a student will get frustrated and ing platform increased the number of cal or virtual. “Students thoroughly actually went through the entire pro- ture for remote learning handled this rience at Fulcrum Labs. “You can’t give up, but if it is too easy they lose graduates sitting for the FAA exams enjoy this type of course, as they can cedure that normally a Level 7 techni- adroitly, working with regulators to just throw something out there. You confidence that the process is worth by 25% and consistently improved pass study content before arriving at class. cian would have to fly in and do,” says make sure coursework met require- need a platform that’s going to live up their time at all. rates to more than 95% over the last In class, they can engage quicker and Brooke. The system was able to recog- ments while ramping up its usage. to expectations.” “The idea is it’s this learning sweet three years. better in skill-based activities, rather nize his errors in real time so he could Momen tum and morale remained as Joiner notes that studies have spot that really keeps people engaged In response to COVID-19, AIM be- than sitting and listening to an instruc- circle back and complete those parts of high as could be expected for a while, shown that students will stay engaged and is pushing and motivating them,” gan offering its Adaptive 3.0 learning tor for hours on end,” says Lee, noting the task correctly, and he was able to but as the pandemic dragged on, longer if given some choice over their says Joiner. The platform breaks con- platform-based airframe and power- that theory-based lectures delivered successfully perform the engine main- “Zoom fatigue” began to kick in. learning experience—even with ma- tent up into smaller chunks and gives plant (A&P) courses to the entire stu- via platforms like Zoom are not ideal tenance procedure on his first attempt. “The students are revolting” was a terial they find boring. The concept people a choice of how they want to dent population to keep them engaged. for keeping students engaged. “Out the gate, there’s instant return “Within the context of the pandem- Integra Aerospace works with cus- on investment when you’re looking at ic, the online course has allowed us to tomers to develop tailored blended that kind of performance enhance - Avatar Partners says augmented spread exam preparation throughout learning content built into a virtual ment,” says Brooke. “What we’ve reality could reduce training time the program for students and allowed learning environment, which includes seen is through these systems we’re by more than 81%. them to continue in their program un- interactive multimedia content such actually changing the operational interrupted through distance educa- as how-to videos filmed with techni- procedures of a company. When you tion,” says Joe English, executive vice cians in the field showing the steps of can have a novice do something that president at AIM. “What was origi- various maintenance processes. Like an expert would normally have to be nally envisioned as a supplement for Fulcrum Labs’ adaptive learning plat- flown in to do, that changes the land- exam preparation has been adapted form, a major component of Integra scape completely.” to provide full online education for our Aerospace’s blended learning courses students.” is to enable struggling students to RETRAINING POST-PANDEMIC Joiner says that for AMTS newly study at their own pace so they can These types of technologies may delving into remote coursework, the show up prepared, whether it is for a prove crucial to the aviation industry platform helps instructors keep better classroom activity or an exam. once recovery begins, since train- track of student performance through Preparing trainees before they set ing disruption is not only affecting actionable dashboards that include foot in a hangar or touch expensive students enrolled in A&P programs. data on which students are struggling, equipment is a major idea behind the With furloughs looming—or already where they are struggling and why. use of augmented, virtual and mixed occurring—at aviation maintenance “It really provides instructors tools to reality technologies for training. Avatar providers during the COVID-19 crisis, keep people moving and validate, and Partners, which specializes in simplify- workers will need reskilling before with FAA, too, obviously there are a lot ing complex systems with extended re- coming back on the job. of requirements around time tracking,” ality (XR) tools such as its Augmented A recent report by McKinsey & Co. says Joiner, noting that the platform Reality Maintenance Aid (ARMA), has suggests that workers will need to be also tracks how long students are en- gained traction in the defense industry reskilled to perform their jobs more gaged with content. as a trainer of MRO personnel. digitally for the “distance economy” Marlo Brooke, CEO of Avatar Part- in the post-pandemic era. Joiner notes TAILORED LEARNING ners, admits that augmented reality that COVID-19 also requires retraining Integra Aerospace, a UK-based blend- (AR) can be expensive and is not al- workers to perform their jobs safely ed learning organization founded by a ways ideal for all training, but it is a to prevent the spread of disease. Ful- former aircraft engineer and technical perfect fit for tasks with high complex- crum Labs is working with a partner AVATAR PARTNERS instructor, believes tailored content is ity or high criticality or those that are at the University of Utah on a training the key to keeping online learning en- infrequently performed. Avatar works course that meets Occupational Safety gaging. Sam Lee, managing director at with customers and their subject and Health Administration guidelines Integra Aerospace, says most negative matter experts to develop XR train- around reopening safely.

MRO16 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO17 Inside Workforce INTEGRA AEROSPACE Brooke points out that their maintenance expe- with so many skilled rience, which can be used maintainers retiring to monitor their compe- during the coronavi- tence as they go through rus crisis, resulting in a their career. AMTL re- younger workforce that cords training and ap- expects to learn different- provals and pushes sug- ly, augmented and mixed gested training courses reality provide benefits to technicians based on for both learning new their experience and cur- procedures and refresh- rently assigned tasks. In ing existing knowledge. addition to helping MRO She says technicians us- managers monitor the ing the technology can progress and compliance either operate in a “real- of their teams while de- world” mode, where they termining the best tech- have a physical asset in nicians for various tasks, front of them and use data from AMTL can be AR guidance to perform packaged and used by complicated tasks, or in individual workers when Blended learning seeks to prepare students before they even set an “open-space” mode, applying for jobs. foot in a classroom. where an aircraft or com- Meanwhile, Joiner ex- ponent is virtualized. their workforce and business thriving.” pects a technology boom within AMTS In open-space mode, an aircraft “can Lee suggests the blended learn- post-coronavirus. “What you’re going to be scaled down to their kitchen table,” ing approach also would help to ad- see in the future is kind of what we’ve and technicians can walk through a dress the challenge of retraining seen during COVID, which was that a maintenance procedure and refresh technicians as MRO workplaces lot of these AMTS had a digital compo- their memory. “That makes the reskill- start getting back to normal. He sees nent on their road map, but it was sort ing and retraining process much, much organizations deploying short, com- of on the backburner. What you’re see- faster,” says Brooke. She says Avatar petency-based courses involving an ing now is an acceleration,” says Joiner. Partners has been talking with airlines element of independent study prior Schools in the U.S. that used funding that are gathering research on train- to going back into the classroom or from the CARES Act to develop remote ing technologies, “because they know hangar to refresh skills and gauge a learning programs will be at an advan- that once things come back to the new worker’s understanding. tage, he notes, particularly because normal in a better way, they’re going to Integra Aerospace also offers a digi- they will no longer be limited to target- jump on these systems because they’re tal tool called AMT Logbook (AMTL) ing potential students based on their going to need to save money to keep that mechanics or students use to log geographic location. c

EXPERT SERVICE FOR YOUR ENTIRE FLEET

Heavy Maintenance, Flight Line, Storage, Reclamation, Paint & Interiors

Wi e bo y, Narrow bo y, & Regional aircraft

520-682-4181 FAA, EASA, BDA/AMO, TCCA, ascentmro.com NCAA, & 2-REG

MRO18 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Workforce Inside Workforce INTEGRA AEROSPACE Brooke points out that their maintenance expe- cialists, Rustom says AJW Technique with so many skilled rience, which can be used normally broadens its search criteria maintainers retiring to monitor their compe- Recruitment and looks outside the traditional avia- during the coronavi- tence as they go through tion technician training schools. “We rus crisis, resulting in a their career. AMTL re- tend to go for general electronic and ra- younger workforce that cords training and ap- Challenges dio technicians, for example, which pro- expects to learn different- provals and pushes sug- vide a base skillset, and we then develop ly, augmented and mixed gested training courses Avionics specialists with both mechanical and technicians through our internal train- reality provide benefits to technicians based on electrical engineering skills are in demand ing programs into avionics technicians.” for both learning new their experience and cur- Over the past three years, the com- procedures and refresh- rently assigned tasks. In pany has ramped up from 15 to 30 tech- ing existing knowledge. addition to helping MRO nicians to accommodate increased de- She says technicians us- managers monitor the ing the technology can progress and compliance Integrated technical training either operate in a “real- of their teams while de- is becoming more desirable for world” mode, where they termining the best tech- companies recruiting young people have a physical asset in nicians for various tasks, into the workforce. front of them and use data from AMTL can be AR guidance to perform packaged and used by mand for avionics services. “We follow complicated tasks, or in individual workers when a buddy program, which allows us to Blended learning seeks to prepare students before they even set an “open-space” mode, applying for jobs. pair a younger technician with a more foot in a classroom. where an aircraft or com- Meanwhile, Joiner ex- experienced counterpart and continu- ponent is virtualized. their workforce and business thriving.” pects a technology boom within AMTS ously develop our technicians through In open-space mode, an aircraft “can Lee suggests the blended learn- post-coronavirus. “What you’re going to mentoring programs,” she says. be scaled down to their kitchen table,” ing approach also would help to ad- see in the future is kind of what we’ve Naturally, this demand has opened and technicians can walk through a dress the challenge of retraining seen during COVID, which was that a opportunities for training providers. maintenance procedure and refresh technicians as MRO workplaces lot of these AMTS had a digital compo- AJW The British School of Aviation (BSA), their memory. “That makes the reskill- start getting back to normal. He sees nent on their road map, but it was sort James Pozzi London established in late 2019 to aid efforts to ing and retraining process much, much organizations deploying short, com- of on the backburner. What you’re see- help the training of MRO technicians faster,” says Brooke. She says Avatar petency-based courses involving an ing now is an acceleration,” says Joiner. n aircraft’s avionics system Wendell Law, the company’s director and aircraft pilots, offers a short course Partners has been talking with airlines element of independent study prior Schools in the U.S. that used funding involves complex repairs, and of technical services, puts the indus- revision training program for existing that are gathering research on train- to going back into the classroom or from the CARES Act to develop remote A dealing with a multitude of try’s labor challenges down to several aviation professionals. “There will ing technologies, “because they know hangar to refresh skills and gauge a learning programs will be at an advan- electronic areas—from an aircraft’s factors. “The lack of component-level likely already be mechanics seeking to that once things come back to the new worker’s understanding. tage, he notes, particularly because navigation system to its onboard com- electronics curriculum in the colleges gain their [European Union Aviation normal in a better way, they’re going to Integra Aerospace also offers a digi- they will no longer be limited to target- munications—requires a sophisticated along with the age of the most common Safety Agency] B2 avionics license,” jump on these systems because they’re tal tool called AMT Logbook (AMTL) ing potential students based on their and varied skillset. Mechanics are no electronics in the air transport fleet says Ram Naidoo, who oversees some going to need to save money to keep that mechanics or students use to log geographic location. c longer dealing with just nuts and bolts; do not align,” he says. Law foresees of the training courses at the BSA. maintaining newer-generation aircraft demand for avionics repair specialists For the younger generation entering underpinned by advanced software de- increasing due to the nature of newer the workforce, Naidoo says the prefer- mands experience with electronics and aircraft types entering the market. ence is for graduates to have combined digital systems as well. “The newer avionics comprise so much mechanical and electrical engineer- EXPERT SERVICE FOR YOUR ENTIRE FLEET Sourcing labor has proved challeng- more in software versus the older avi- ing skills. “These days, the trend is to ing for the MRO industry, including onics,” he notes. combine the B1 and B2 type training recruiting the right sort of technically Recruitment of technicians with together—combining mechanical train- efficient specialist to oversee avionics these avionics skills is also a challenge ing with avionics training,” he says. repairs. For U.S.-based avionics repair for AJW Technique, the Montreal, “This is due to how modern aircraft provider Avionics Specialist, for in- Canada-based MRO division of AJW are designed now, albeit the licensing Heavy Maintenance, Flight Line, stance, recruiting technicians with the Group. AJW Technique performs is carried out separately.” Storage, Reclamation, Paint & Interiors right capabilities is a tricky proposition. repairs on avionics that require an Naidoo believes aviation learning About 70% of the company’s business extensive electronics knowledge and has changed. The younger elements of Wi e bo y, Narrow bo y, is commercial and military aircraft understanding of avionics operations. the MRO workforce are more naturally avionics. This consists of direct airline “This is a rare skillset on the mar - savvy with technology, and it is this, & Regional aircraft business, used equipment dealers, mili- ket, and very few aerospace training along with the technical makeup of tary and government subcontractors. schools tend to focus on avionics,” aircraft that will drive this change for- 520-682-4181 FAA, EASA, BDA/AMO, TCCA, The company has more than 50 techni- says Sajedah Rustom, chief executive ward long-term. “The way older aircraft ascentmro.com NCAA, & 2-REG cians working on several avionics areas of AJW Technique. “It takes an average were, even including older variants of including communications, navigation, of 3-6 months of pure training to get the Boeing 737, 757 and 777, meant dedi- pulse, autopilots, antennas, wiring har- an avionics technician up to speed on cated mechanical and avionics people nesses and metrology, along with a test a select few units,” she says. were required. But it’s integrated engi- equipment manufacturing department. As it is difficult to find avionics -spe neering these days,” he says. c

MRO18 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO19 Inside Engineered

the company’s enhanced hygienic fea- anitation olutions tures as well as embedded predictive health monitoring and management pandemic and accessibilit concerns (PHM) capability, Sachs says. This has been promoted as part of Intelligent and prompt renewed look at aircrat lavatories Smart Cabin (i+sCabin), an internation- Paul eidenman aid J anoich an rancisco al program defi ning standards for connected cabin features. Diehl Aviation is revolution is taking place in tatives of the fl ying public to incorpo- that program’s consortium leader. airliner lavatory engineering rate those design technologies into so- Boeing continues to evaluate its own A and design as vendors focus on lutions for both forward fi t and retrofi t. prototype self-disinfecting lavatory, space savings, accessibility for passen- “The coronavirus pandemic has made which was tested for the fi rst time on gers with limited mobility and, more this especially urgent, since the airlines its company-owned ecoDemonstrator recently, hygiene issues in the wake of want to restore public confi dence in fl y- Boeing 777-200ER in the fall of 2019. the COVID-19 pandemic . ing,” he says. “Expect to see more such The lavatory uses ultraviolet light “There is a definite trend toward solutions come out within the next two to eliminate at least 99.9% of germs shrinking the lavatories to accommo- months, with applications to both nar- after every passenger use, says Dan date additional cabin seating, notably rowbody and widebody aircraft.” Freeman, director for payloads and at the request of the low-cost carri- At Diehl Aviation, lavatory designs customer engineering at Boeing Com- ers globally and U.S. carriers for their domestic fl eets,” says Michael Planey, The interior of Collins Aerospace’s cofounder of HM Planey Consultants, Advanced Spacewall lavatory based in Alexandria, Virginia. How- incorporates touchless features, ever, that will have to be balanced to and antimicrobial materials and accommodate passengers with reduced design elements to reduce viruses mobility (PRM), which is a focus of and bacteria on surfaces. regulatory agencies and will be at the forefront in the future. Planey stresses that there is a substantial need to improve the accessibility of lavatories, particularly on single-aisle aircraft, as evidenced by a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking INS AESAE (NPRM) published by the U.S. Trans- portation Department in January, calling for improvements. At the same time, there are concerns about maintaining a hygienically clean lavatory throughout the fl ight. will concentrate on touchless compo- mercial Airplanes. Boeing also has This could be improved by new materi- nents, including the toilet seat and lid, tested ultraviolet light that sanitizes als technology and touchless features, waste flap, door lock, water faucets, water fl owing into the sink. which are both major design trends liquid dispensers and fl ushing mecha- The prototype lavatory incorporates in aircraft lavatories, says Jefferey nism, according to Helge Sachs, the a hands-free faucet, soap dispenser, McKee, Collins Aerospace director Laupheim, Germany-based company’s trash fl ap, toilet lid and seat and a hand for passenger experience and indus- senior vice president of product inno- dryer to reduce the waste of paper tow- trial design. vation. “Industry efforts are focused els. “Further technology development “The materials used in the lavatory on making lavatories more hygienic,” and market interest will determine are being developed to reduce viruses he says. “In the short-to-midterm, self- whether the self-disinfecting lavatory and bacteria living on surfaces,” cleaning lavatories using UV-C light might be available on commercial air- McKee explains. “In the design, we disinfection and fogging, as well as a planes in the future,” says Freeman. have to consider how to support those smart mirror with instructions on how efforts—mainly through more thor- to use touchless functions will be avail- MAAA ough cleaning practices, easier access able,” he says. The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned to exposed surfaces and minimal ma- Sachs thinks there also will be more a renewed focus on making hygiene terial breaks in hidden areas where antimicrobial surface coatings and much more visible and intuitive. “We viruses are likely to hide.” sensors enabling crews to monitor have partnered with Safran Passenger Trevor Skelly, structures and in- consumption levels for items such as Solutions to o¢ er touchless activation tegration general manager at Collins paper towels and soap. of faucets, waste fl aps, fl ush switches Aerospace, points out that the OEM is Diehl Aviation is developing a “smart and toilet lids, which are available partnering with airlines and represen- lavatory,” which will incorporate all of on our Airbus A350 lavatories,” says

MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Engineered the company’s enhanced hygienic fea- Safran Cabin has made anitation olutions tures as well as embedded predictive activation of faucets, waste health monitoring and management flaps, flush switches and pandemic and accessibilit concerns (PHM) capability, Sachs says. This has toilet lids touchless on the been promoted as part of Intelligent and lavatories it has supplied prompt renewed look at aircrat lavatories Smart Cabin (i+sCabin), an internation- for the Airbus A350. The company will apply that Paul eidenman aid J anoich an rancisco al program defi ning standards for connected cabin features. Diehl Aviation is technology to lavatories for twin- and single-aisle revolution is taking place in tatives of the fl ying public to incorpo- that program’s consortium leader. aircraft retrofits in 2021. airliner lavatory engineering rate those design technologies into so- Boeing continues to evaluate its own A and design as vendors focus on lutions for both forward fi t and retrofi t. prototype self-disinfecting lavatory, space savings, accessibility for passen- “The coronavirus pandemic has made which was tested for the fi rst time on rowbody aircraft, the need gers with limited mobility and, more this especially urgent, since the airlines its company-owned ecoDemonstrator for true PRM accessibility recently, hygiene issues in the wake of want to restore public confi dence in fl y- Boeing 777-200ER in the fall of 2019. is paramount,” he explains. the COVID-19 pandemic . ing,” he says. “Expect to see more such The lavatory uses ultraviolet light “For narrowbody aircraft, “There is a definite trend toward solutions come out within the next two to eliminate at least 99.9% of germs SAFRAN CABIN we determined that the shrinking the lavatories to accommo- months, with applications to both nar- after every passenger use, says Dan Nathan Kwok, vice president of mar- WHEELCHAIR ACCESS current lavatory options are either so date additional cabin seating, notably rowbody and widebody aircraft.” Freeman, director for payloads and keting for Safran Cabin in Alkmaar, the Along that line, a more recent inno - small that the passenger cannot even at the request of the low-cost carri- At Diehl Aviation, lavatory designs customer engineering at Boeing Com- Netherlands. vation in lavatory technology was in- fit inside while still on the onboard ers globally and U.S. carriers for their Safran Cabin is preparing a full suite troduced by London-based Acumen wheelchair or so large that they take domestic fl eets,” says Michael Planey, of touchless products to upgrade exist- Design Associates. Appropriately up valuable cabin space.” The interior of Collins Aerospace’s cofounder of HM Planey Consultants, ing lavatories. The products have been branded Access, it is the world’s first Space limitations also favored the Advanced Spacewall lavatory based in Alexandria, Virginia. How- incorporates touchless features, adapted from the proven technology in- expanding PRM lavatory, according narrowbody market. “Cabin floor space ever, that will have to be balanced to and antimicrobial materials and corporated in the A350 lavatory, with to Daniel Clucas, Acumen’s senior de- is at a higher premium than [for] wide- accommodate passengers with reduced design elements to reduce viruses availability for twin- and single-aisle signer. The product was developed as a bodies. In order to offer a large PRM mobility (PRM), which is a focus of and bacteria on surfaces. aircraft retrofit in 2021. joint collaboration with ST Engineering space, you can’t just re-pitch some regulatory agencies and will be at the The supplier is also researching a va- in Singapore, which will build and mar- seats to create the space you need, so forefront in the future. riety of sanitization technologies such as ket it to airlines. “We worked closely we had to offer a fully accessible PRM Planey stresses that there is a sub- ultraviolet light, antimicrobial surfaces throughout the design process to con- lavatory that has the same footprint of stantial need to improve the acces- and air ionization, Kwok says. Sensors ceptualize and refine the concept,” a standard one,” Clucas says. sibility of lavatories, particularly on can be included to alert the crew when says Clucas. The lavatory is designed for instal- single-aisle aircraft, as evidenced by service is needed, too, such as when the Access is targeting the narrowbody lation in the 737 or A320 D or E cabin a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking trash compartment is filling up. market—specifically the Boeing 737 location, which is just forward of the aft INS AESAE (NPRM) published by the U.S. Trans- “We are working with our [airliner] and Airbus A320—which Clucas says doors. If a reduced-mobility passenger portation Department in January, call- OEM and airline customers to un- has been largely neglected. “With more needs to use the lavatory, the crew un- ing for improvements. derstand what kinds of smart tech- long-haul routes being flown by nar- latches and pulls the aft wall out, into At the same time, there are con- nologies they would find most useful,” the door area, increasing the cerns about maintaining a hygienically says Kwok. “The goal is a lavatory enclosed interior volume by clean lavatory throughout the fl ight. will concentrate on touchless compo- mercial Airplanes. Boeing also has that looks and feels clean and actively 40%. “The expansion creates This could be improved by new materi- nents, including the toilet seat and lid, tested ultraviolet light that sanitizes fights germs.” an L-shaped interior floorplan, als technology and touchless features, waste flap, door lock, water faucets, water fl owing into the sink. As for maintainability, that re - which is perfect to allow a piv- which are both major design trends liquid dispensers and fl ushing mecha- The prototype lavatory incorporates search is being focused on improv- ot transfer from the onboard in aircraft lavatories, says Jefferey nism, according to Helge Sachs, the a hands-free faucet, soap dispenser, ing the durability of moving parts, wheelchair to the toilet,” says McKee, Collins Aerospace director Laupheim, Germany-based company’s trash fl ap, toilet lid and seat and a hand shrouds and other areas of heavy Clucas. “With the aft wall re- for passenger experience and indus- senior vice president of product inno- dryer to reduce the waste of paper tow- usage. “We expect even more intense turned to the stowed position, trial design. vation. “Industry efforts are focused els. “Further technology development cleaning in the future, with harsher the lavatory has the same foot- “The materials used in the lavatory on making lavatories more hygienic,” and market interest will determine chemicals and potentially UV light,” print as a standard system,” are being developed to reduce viruses he says. “In the short-to-midterm, self- whether the self-disinfecting lavatory he remarks. “So a focus of our re - he notes. c and bacteria living on surfaces,” cleaning lavatories using UV-C light might be available on commercial air- search is on various finishes that stay Acumen Design Associates, in McKee explains. “In the design, we disinfection and fogging, as well as a planes in the future,” says Freeman. looking new over time.” collaboration with ST Engi- have to consider how to support those smart mirror with instructions on how Until recently, the newest lavatory neering, has designed Access, efforts—mainly through more thor- technology—such as touchless appli- to use touchless functions will be avail- MAAA an expandable lavatory for ough cleaning practices, easier access able,” he says. The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned ances—was only available on widebody passengers with reduced to exposed surfaces and minimal ma- Sachs thinks there also will be more a renewed focus on making hygiene aircraft, but that is changing. “Narrow- mobility flying on narrowbody terial breaks in hidden areas where antimicrobial surface coatings and much more visible and intuitive. “We body aircraft are flying longer routes, aircraft. The lavatory provides viruses are likely to hide.” sensors enabling crews to monitor have partnered with Safran Passenger and as a result, more passengers are an additional 40% of interior Trevor Skelly, structures and in- consumption levels for items such as Solutions to o¢ er touchless activation using them,” states Kwok. “This means volume to accommodate a tegration general manager at Collins paper towels and soap. of faucets, waste fl aps, fl ush switches we have to raise the standard for wheelchair, once a cabin crew Aerospace, points out that the OEM is Diehl Aviation is developing a “smart and toilet lids, which are available robustness and accommodate a wider member unlatches and pulls partnering with airlines and represen- lavatory,” which will incorporate all of on our Airbus A350 lavatories,” says range of needs.” out the aft wall. ACUMEN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO21 Inside Engineered Seat Design Gets Smarter In the quest for acceptable comfort, seat makers find a limit in reducing weight

Thierry Dubois Lyon

eat design is evolving relatively But there are nuances in design fast by aerospace industry stan- drivers. “We talk about passenger ex- Sdards. A seat is not as complex perience, rather than comfort, as we as a turbofan engine, but passengers strive to have the passenger spending will quickly identify seating with a given his or her travel time in the least un- carrier—meaning seat manufacturers pleasant position possible,” says Saa- are competing intensely on comfort and da. In a car, occupants can use settings aesthetics. Meanwhile, they are also depending on their size, build and hab- under pressure from operators to cut its. “In an aircraft, technology would weight and keep maintenance needs in make this doable, but we do not want check. Delivery lead time has been an the passenger to spend too long with issue amid a context of strong demand. settings. So we are looking for comfort Expliseat uses titanium for seat In recent years, new players have for as many people as possible and ac- structures to reduce weight. shaken up the market and succeeded ceptability for the smallest and tallest with innovative ideas at a time when ones,” Saada explains. legs then will not touch the folded-up established suppliers were experienc- To design a seat, Expliseat uses tray table. ing production issues. digitally simulated passengers. Pres- In the future, different versions of a Startup companies begin with sure points on the back are studied to seat may be created that take into ac- economy seats because they are less avoid the most sensitive areas. Such count the average size of a passenger complex. “We brought on quite a few,” simulations help find new ways to ar- in different regions. says Christian Kley, Airbus’ head of range components. Moving up the tray In its quest for simplification, seat purchasing. “Acro is a relatively table by a mere 1 cm (0.4 in.) improves Expliseat got rid of the footrest. “A young player; it established itself in our comfort for 5% of passengers, whose footrest is useful for a small passenger, catalog in the last five years. Geven has evolved from a small family company in RECARO the early 2000s to a very solid position. Its market share stands at 10-15% on the [Airbus] A320 family.” Meanwhile, “Expliseat’s products feature a titanium structure for light weight, but it comes at a higher price,” Kley says. This may explain its relatively slow adoption. The current marketplace is thus significantly different from five years ago. Back then, Kley says, three companies dominated the economy seat market: B/E Aerospace (now part of Collins Aerospace), Recaro and Zodiac Aero- space (taken over by Safran). What is at stake in seat design? “The seat can contribute to a unique selling proposition—the business card of an airline,” says Mark Hiller, Recaro Aircraft Seating’s CEO. Ben- jamin Saada, Expliseat’s CEO, adds that total seat weight in a cabin ac- IFE innovation cycles can be counts for 10% of an aircraft’s operat- shorter than such cycles for seats. ing empty weight.

MRO22 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Engineered

and flammability are why we use plexity, weight, [and] implications for Seat Design Gets them. Phenolic resins and glass-phe- certification and cost,” Roots says. “We nolic composites are inherently fire- allow the engineering features, such as retardant and have superior flamma- ribs, to be visible rather than covering Smarter bility properties. In addition, phenolics them with shrouds.” yield very low levels of smoke and com- The part count is a factor in main- In the quest for acceptable comfort, seat makers bustion products under both flaming tainability. “In its simplest iteration, and smoldering fire conditions.” Acro’s Series 3 has just 63 parts per find a limit in reducing weight In higher-end seats, Acro uses car- triple seat,” says Roots. bon fiber for its lighter weight. On an economy seat, very few com- Thierry Dubois Lyon Apart from carbon fiber, Expliseat ponents need servicing, but the seat- uses titanium for structures. The met- back recline system is one of them. eat design is evolving relatively But there are nuances in design al was chosen rather than aluminum The system’s cylinders need periodic fast by aerospace industry stan- drivers. “We talk about passenger ex- for its greater hardness. “With alu- resetting, with an interval of 1-2 years, Sdards. A seat is not as complex perience, rather than comfort, as we minum, there is a risk of a deep dent Expliseat’s Saada tells Inside MRO. “We as a turbofan engine, but passengers strive to have the passenger spending opening a chemical breach and leading have created a system that is indepen- will quickly identify seating with a given his or her travel time in the least un- to corrosion,” Saada says. Titanium is dent from the rest of the seat. The op- carrier—meaning seat manufacturers pleasant position possible,” says Saa- naturally corrosion-proof. erator’s maintenance technicians can are competing intensely on comfort and da. In a car, occupants can use settings Additionally, new production pro- reset the cylinders or replace them aesthetics. Meanwhile, they are also depending on their size, build and hab- cesses are emerging. Recaro already with new ones under a rotable scheme. under pressure from operators to cut its. “In an aircraft, technology would uses 3D printing for some structural Replacing the cylinders takes less than weight and keep maintenance needs in make this doable, but we do not want EXPLISEAT parts. “It enables the manufacturing of 5 min. for a row of three seats.” check. Delivery lead time has been an the passenger to spend too long with complex geometry parts, adding func- A maintainability feature of Acro’s issue amid a context of strong demand. settings. So we are looking for comfort Expliseat uses titanium for seat but is in the way of a tall one,” Saada tions that could not be integrated with seats also can be found in the seatback In recent years, new players have for as many people as possible and ac- structures to reduce weight. says. “Moreover, as a moving part, it is die-casting or milling,” says Hiller. reclining system. The drawback of a shaken up the market and succeeded ceptability for the smallest and tallest heavy and needs maintenance. So we Acro has used 3D printing mainly for recline button on the seat arm is that it with innovative ideas at a time when ones,” Saada explains. legs then will not touch the folded-up repositioned the luggage bar, which prototyping. In the near future, the pro- has a long and complicated cable run- established suppliers were experienc- To design a seat, Expliseat uses tray table. maintains a piece of luggage under cess will become viable for the manufac- ning around the seatback. When the ing production issues. digitally simulated passengers. Pres- In the future, different versions of a the seat, [and] it can act as a footrest.” turing of parts that otherwise require recline mechanism breaks, a number Startup companies begin with sure points on the back are studied to seat may be created that take into ac- A design can be improved by study- complex machining, says Roots. In his of components have to be removed to economy seats because they are less avoid the most sensitive areas. Such count the average size of a passenger ing the seat’s behavior in service. view, 3D printing is well-suited to low- access the cabling. complex. “We brought on quite a few,” simulations help find new ways to ar- in different regions. Recaro has equipped an economy volume production and would therefore “We have located the recline lever says Christian Kley, Airbus’ head of range components. Moving up the tray In its quest for simplification, seat with sensors that it installed on allow cost-effective customization. on the front spar,” Roots says. The seat purchasing. “Acro is a relatively table by a mere 1 cm (0.4 in.) improves Expliseat got rid of the footrest. “A airplanes flying with TAP Portugal. The technique can contribute to a cable run is very short with minimum young player; it established itself in our comfort for 5% of passengers, whose footrest is useful for a small passenger, “It collects data on how passengers reduced part count. “There is the dan- bend. The recline mechanism and as- catalog in the last five years. Geven has use the seat and how it behaves,” ger of overcomplicating seat designs sociated cabling can be accessed eas- evolved from a small family company in RECARO Hiller says. A first batch of data has by adding extra layers, such as more ily under the composite foam seat pan the early 2000s to a very solid position. been analyzed. padding. More components add com- cushion and fixed in minutes, he says. Its market share stands at 10-15% on Saada is on the same page. “Thanks the [Airbus] A320 family.” Meanwhile, to customer feedback, we have dis- “Expliseat’s products feature a titanium covered use cases and therefore pro- Recaro located the structure for light weight, but it comes gressed in seat design,” he says. “We recline lever on the at a higher price,” Kley says. This may have put in place an incident monitor- front spar of the seat. explain its relatively slow adoption. ing system. We collect customer data The current marketplace is thus sig- and translate [it] into technical infor- nificantly different from five years ago. mation, which in turn will be injected Back then, Kley says, three companies into our design. Such a cycle requires dominated the economy seat market: extensive organization, which we have B/E Aerospace (now part of Collins implemented and are improving.” Aerospace), Recaro and Zodiac Aero- Expliseat, founded in 2011, is building on space (taken over by Safran). the 20 million flight hours of experience What is at stake in seat design? it has accumulated with 15 carriers. “The seat can contribute to a unique Materials should be carefully cho- selling proposition—the business sen, as they influence weight, mainte- card of an airline,” says Mark Hiller, nance needs and costs. Acro Aircraft

Recaro Aircraft Seating’s CEO. Ben- Seating offers different materials for RECARO jamin Saada, Expliseat’s CEO, adds the seatback. In a basic Series 3 seat, that total seat weight in a cabin ac- IFE innovation cycles can be the skeleton uses a glass-phenolic com- counts for 10% of an aircraft’s operat- shorter than such cycles for seats. posite material, says Al Roots, Acro’s ing empty weight. head of industrial design. “Weight

MRO22 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO23 Inside Engineered

Moreover, the armrest itself can be re- the natural shape of the spine and, the An economy seat typically weighs moved and replaced in seconds. company says, provides 2 in. of addi- 8-15 kg (18-33 lb.), Hiller says. This begs An Acro Series 6 seat does not have tional legroom as the passenger sits the question: Is there a case for an ul- a seat pan structure. Other seats incor- farther back on the seat pan. tralight seat? “It is all about finding the porate an aluminum seat pan, which is Some constraints are external. sweet spot in robustness, weight, com- prone to cracking, Roots says. Instead, “There are design and engineering fort and price,” he says. “Our 8-kg seat Acro has developed a cushion made of challenges when we add inflight en- meets those needs. A few years ago, we a composite foam structure mounted tertainment (IFE) packaging,” says had a concept for a 5.6-kg seat, but the directly onto the spar tubes. The cush- Acro’s Roots. “In IFE system integra- price would have been pretty high. The ion can be removed, enabling instant tion, boxes are getting smaller, but pas- market was not ready yet.” access to the seat structure as well as sengers tend to ask for more facilities Expliseat started with a bare-bones mechanical and electric elements. in the seat, such as USB sockets.” seat, the TiSeat E1, which featured In economy, there has been a consis- Recaro’s Hiller adds, “As for IFE a reduced part count and very light tent tendency toward increasing cabin equipment, we need to match innova- weight of just 4 kg. That design evolved density, which calls for slimmer seats. tion cycles in electronics, which are into the more comfortable TiSeat E2, Design engineers use every possibility different from innovation cycles in which can be as light as 5 kg—the ex- to offer the passenger maximum per- seats.” IFE equipment has an impact act weight depends on the options. The sonal room while consuming as little on seat certification. “If we integrate a titanium composite TiSeat E2 is 60% space as possible in the cabin. different display size, we need to recer- lighter than the competition, Expliseat An Acro seat skeleton curves tify the seat, including a 16g crash test says. The E2’s configuration is “flex- around the passenger’s behind, cre- in case of hard landing,” Hiller says. ible,” thanks to options such as seat- ating a bucket silhouette that both The head of the crash-test dummy hits back recline, more comfortable foams, results in an ergonomically correct the back of the forward seat where the the inflight entertainment system, an shape and maximizes space efficiency, display is placed. Some shock absorption electric outlet, a tray table and pockets. according to Roots. Acro’s composite is provided by a mechanism that lets the Expliseat has moved to advertizing seatback is curved in the horizontal display move forward or by elements more comfort, from an almost exclu- and vertical axes. Thus, it matches such as foam behind the display. sive focus on weight. The TiSeat E2

Reliable News, Concise Format

SpeedNews is the source for relevant insights, news and information powering commercial aviation. Sent electronically, top executives rely on its unique, quick- read format to:

➤ Monitor competition with timely announcements from airlines, aviation suppliers and manufacturers, including aircraft orders & transactions. ➤ Uncover new business opportunities resulting from merger and acquisition activity, and product developments. ➤ Connect and network with industry leaders at one of SpeedNews’ world class events.

Discover Leads | Win Deals | Grow Your Business

Learn More at aviationweek.com/speednews

MRO24 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Engineered

Moreover, the armrest itself can be re- the natural shape of the spine and, the An economy seat typically weighs was co-designed with Peugeot Design business class, and below nine months access and full privacy. When trying moved and replaced in seconds. company says, provides 2 in. of addi- 8-15 kg (18-33 lb.), Hiller says. This begs Lab. “Thanks to our cooperation with in economy,” he adds. to maintain a competitive seat count, An Acro Series 6 seat does not have tional legroom as the passenger sits the question: Is there a case for an ul- the automotive sector, the E2 seat Manufacturing seats is not particu- this is difficult to design in a narrower a seat pan structure. Other seats incor- farther back on the seat pan. tralight seat? “It is all about finding the is soft and enveloping—something larly difficult, says Expliseat’s Saada. cross-section than [for] the widebod- porate an aluminum seat pan, which is Some constraints are external. sweet spot in robustness, weight, com- the economy-class [seat] had lost,” “The real challenge is delivering cus- ies,” says Kley. prone to cracking, Roots says. Instead, “There are design and engineering fort and price,” he says. “Our 8-kg seat says Saada. tomized seats with a short lead time In business-class seats, there is also Acro has developed a cushion made of challenges when we add inflight en- meets those needs. A few years ago, we A business-class seat, which can and large volumes.” a trend to replace foams with inflatable a composite foam structure mounted tertainment (IFE) packaging,” says had a concept for a 5.6-kg seat, but the transform into a bed and includes a Recaro’s Hiller mentions the same bags as a lighter alternative. directly onto the spar tubes. The cush- Acro’s Roots. “In IFE system integra- price would have been pretty high. The shell or furniture to provide a level problem. “A challenge in the aircraft Textile maker Lantal is developing ion can be removed, enabling instant tion, boxes are getting smaller, but pas- market was not ready yet.” of privacy, is much more complex seat industry is the short lead time,” he heating and cooling systems for busi- access to the seat structure as well as sengers tend to ask for more facilities Expliseat started with a bare-bones and heavier—usually 80 kg—than an says. “Carriers order aircraft and de- ness-class seats. A specially designed mechanical and electric elements. in the seat, such as USB sockets.” seat, the TiSeat E1, which featured economy seat. cide on seats and customization later.” heat mat uses resistive wires. A venti- In economy, there has been a consis- Recaro’s Hiller adds, “As for IFE a reduced part count and very light lation system pulls air through the seat tent tendency toward increasing cabin equipment, we need to match innova- weight of just 4 kg. That design evolved cushion to create a cooling effect. density, which calls for slimmer seats. tion cycles in electronics, which are into the more comfortable TiSeat E2, TYPICAL NUMBERS IN SEAT WEIGHTS “We could introduce flexibility to Design engineers use every possibility different from innovation cycles in which can be as light as 5 kg—the ex- reconfigure the cabin between two to offer the passenger maximum per- seats.” IFE equipment has an impact act weight depends on the options. The flights, depending on the number of sonal room while consuming as little on seat certification. “If we integrate a titanium composite TiSeat E2 is 60% Economy-class seat: 8-15 kg (18-33 lb.) passengers,” Hiller says. “Seat pans space as possible in the cabin. different display size, we need to recer- lighter than the competition, Expliseat Business-class seat: 80 kg could be flipped up, and the row could An Acro seat skeleton curves tify the seat, including a 16g crash test says. The E2’s configuration is “flex- move along rails, thus enabling pitch around the passenger’s behind, cre- in case of hard landing,” Hiller says. ible,” thanks to options such as seat- Contribution of the seats to an aircraft’s operating variability.” The idea has yet to be ating a bucket silhouette that both The head of the crash-test dummy hits back recline, more comfortable foams, turned into a product, which would results in an ergonomically correct the back of the forward seat where the the inflight entertainment system, an empty weight: 10% involve integrating the feature into the shape and maximizes space efficiency, display is placed. Some shock absorption electric outlet, a tray table and pockets. Sources: Recaro, Expliseat booking system of the airline. according to Roots. Acro’s composite is provided by a mechanism that lets the Expliseat has moved to advertizing With the COVID-19 pandemic, seatback is curved in the horizontal display move forward or by elements more comfort, from an almost exclu- health protection may become a cru- and vertical axes. Thus, it matches such as foam behind the display. sive focus on weight. The TiSeat E2 Business-class seats are about to Moreover, each seat has several cial driver. And surface materials can make strides in maintainability. Predic- variants depending on the side (left or improve hygiene levels. “There are a tive maintenance could be integrated. right) and row. A first-row seat has its number of materials already in the The system could identify a part, such tray table integrated in the armrest, market that have antimicrobial quali- as an actuator, that might break and or- while a last-row seat has no display in ties, such as upholstery, plastics and der the replacement. A business-class the back. The number of variants is paint,” says Acro’s Roots. “To improve seat already has electronics built in, so greater than in the automotive indus- hygiene levels in the future, additives adding predictive maintenance capa- try but with a lower production volume. with antimicrobial properties could be bility would be affordable. Airbus uses a buyer-furnished integrated at every stage of the manu- “It is a major element in the bigger equipment (BFE) model for most of facturing process.” picture: The connected cabin, with a its aircraft. To qualify and be part of Meanwhile, greener processes and Reliable News, digital backbone and applications for Airbus’ BFE catalog, a supplier has operations will continue to shape com- maintenance as well as passenger well- to meet the airframer’s performance mercial aviation. Concise Format being,” says Airbus’ Kley. The OEM is standards in engineering, production Expliseat has made progress in testing a connected business-class seat and support. Compared to economy- using recycled material in new seat SpeedNews is the source for relevant insights, news and information powering on an A350 test aircraft. “The technol- seat suppliers, “Airbus tends to be manufacturing. Thus far, the company commercial aviation. Sent electronically, top executives rely on its unique, quick- ogy is available. If the tests are conclu- more selective with business-class seat uses offcuts of preimpregnated carbon read format to: sive and positive, it will move into the suppliers because it is a tough business fiber. It took two years of research market,” Kley says. to be in,” Kley says. “The technology and development to prove recycled ➤ Monitor competition with timely announcements from airlines, aviation He would not specify which of the is more sophisticated and requires a fiber meets technical specifications. suppliers and manufacturers, including aircraft orders & transactions. big names in business-class seats— different level of know-how.” Another year was needed to bring the ➤ Uncover new business opportunities resulting from merger and acquisition Collins, Recaro, Safran and Stelia A dozen suppliers in economy- and approach into production. activity, and product developments. Aerospace—is involved. business-class seats are represented in The next step, in Saada’s view, will ➤ From the airframer’s perspective, the Airbus BFE catalog. Borders tend be to use offcuts from suppliers. Trace- Connect and network with industry leaders at one of SpeedNews’ world class seat suppliers need to improve delivery to blur, Kley notes. “A business-class ability is a challenge but looks feasible, events. lead time. For a complex design a cus- seat on a narrowbody can be a pre - he says. tomer chooses from the business-class mium economy seat on a widebody.” Expliseat also offers seat upgrades Discover Leads | Win Deals | Grow Your Business seat catalog, it typically takes at least What could be the future features in which the structure remains un- two years from the first discussion to and design drivers in aircraft seats? changed, but other components are installation, says Kley. “Customers do In business class, a challenge has ap- replaced or added. After two upgrades, Learn More at not understand why the seats’ lead peared recently with the emergence of the seat may have to be entirely re - time is longer than the aircraft’s. Re- narrowbodies in long-haul operations, placed. In the future, the seat struc- aviationweek.com/speednews ducing business-class seat lead times most notably the A321XLR. “Airlines ture’s composites may be recycled to to 10-18 months should be doable for want a full flat-bed seat with full aisle manufacture new structures. c

MRO24 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO25 Inside Technology

methods have not been fully maxi - Push to Paperless mized due to a slow uptake, says Daniel Dutton, vice president of research and Will COVID-19 accelerate the aftermarket’s development for aviation at IFS, which adoption of digital technologies? develops IFS Maintenix software for managing an MRO business. Dutton James Pozzi London believes the current climate could have a trigger effect. “The COVID-19 crisis might actually become the catalyst for adoption because not only has the pandemic grounded most passenger aircraft, it has forced aviation or- Although uptake of paperless processes has been slow to date, COVID-19-driven operational changes could lead to accelerated adoption. ganizations and regulators to start to identify ways to meet social-distancing measures and remote working conditions,” he says, highlighting the heightened interest in e-signature adoption. Two of the barriers to adoption often cited are a lack of prioritizing from the MRO to invest, particularly ones lack-

RUSADA ing the resources of a well-backed OEM wing to the novel coronavirus digitize aircraft maintenance records affiliate or independent. “MROs inter- pandemic, the growth of the could soon change. Remote inspec- nal to an airline will have fewer barriers Ocommercial aftermarket has tions, already adopted by several MRO than contract third-party MROs,” says been severely crimped in 2020. At the players, including Ameco Beijing and Eric Hansen, CEO of software special- height of the first peak of the COVID-19 SR Technics, could also become the ist Aviation Intertec Services (AIS). outbreak, which led to the grounding of new normal. “For third-party MROs, a significant about 80% of the global commercial air- Although the sight of a techni- challenge can often be working with craft fleet in May, market analyst Oliver cian operating an electronic tablet is customer custom task cards, while Wyman estimates $17-35 billion could common, more sophisticated digital this will be less of an issue for MROs be wiped off the market’s value this year due to work cancellations. Many forecasters predict no real semblance DIGITAL MRO INITIATIVES IN 2020 of a recovery until 2022 at the earliest. This market downturn will lead to a Here is a snapshot of some of the digital initiatives being introduced by the MRO much-changed aviation industry: Air- industry in 2020. lines will likely downsize their fleets Aftermarket specialist AAR hopes to be a paperless operation in 18-24 months, through early aircraft retirements, resulting in a 15% efficiency gain for technicians. the labor market will see redundan- Alitalia is experimenting with e-logbooks starting with widebody aircraft at its line cies run into the hundreds and thou- stations worldwide. sands, and the MRO segment probably is partnering with startup accelerator program Whispr to imple- will consolidate. Iberia Maintenance One small crumb of comfort, how- ment its hands-free voice-guidance platform on projects such as digitizing the aircraft- ever, could be an opportunity for inspection documentation process on its Airbus A350 fleet, which was paper-based. MROs to fast-track innovation as a Joramco adopted EmpowerMX’s FleetCycle MRO software, which will eventually allow means of achieving operational and it to run a paperless maintenance operation. efficiency gains. Taking these factors Liebherr-Aerospace has developed proprietary service center software called eLIROM into account, along with coronavirus- dedicated to processing all repair activities, which it says has the potential to increase driven changes to working practices process efficiency by 30%. and a heightened sustainability aware- conducted its first totally paperless C check on an Airbus A340 in ness across the industry, a drive to - Sabena Technics ward paperless maintenance could be early 2020. It hopes to have all its maintenance teams working on the same paperless forthcoming. There is optimism that model eventually. the industry’s perceived lack of readi- SR Technics this summer introduced remote table inspections using a video-streaming ness to adopt e-signatures and to portal for any engine type or shop visit.

MRO26 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Technology methods have not been fully maxi - internal to an airline where typically take 10 years for what he describes as “There will need to be some sort of Push to Paperless mized due to a slow uptake, says Daniel both the MRO and [continuing airwor- “true end-to-end paperless” to become cross-geography collaboration to im- Dutton, vice president of research and thiness management organization] are feasible across multiple entities in the plement a set of worldwide standards Will COVID-19 accelerate the aftermarket’s development for aviation at IFS, which using the same software system. Re- commercial aftermarket. before all airlines and MROs move to adoption of digital technologies? develops IFS Maintenix software for gardless, third-party MROs will still A conservative approach from indus- fully paperless operations,” he adds. managing an MRO business. Dutton see significant efficiency gains by, at the try regulators is also often cited as an Another element underpinning pa- James Pozzi London believes the current climate could very least, implementing electronic job adoption barrier. IFS’ Dutton highlights, perless maintenance tasks of the future have a trigger effect. “The COVID-19 ticket assignment [to production per- however, that in late March in response is the advent of 5G internet connectiv- crisis might actually become the cata- sonnel] and related electronic accom- to the COVID-19 outbreak, the FAA an- ity, enabling faster speed for data trans- lyst for adoption because not only has plishment signature capture.” nounced a policy allowing video links fers. Norbert Marx, CEO of China- the pandemic grounded most passen- In 2019, the company assisted Cana- and other remote technology to help based maintenance provider Gameco, ger aircraft, it has forced aviation or- dian regional carrier Porter Airlines in conduct inspections and validate regu- says the company has increased its achieving Transport Canada approval latory compliance. In addition, he cites paperless operation across its hangars Although uptake of paperless for paperless maintenance-records International Air Transport Association in Guangzhou and has turned its atten- processes has been slow to date, management using its RAAS main- Director General and CEO Alexandre de tion to the successor to 5G internet by COVID-19-driven operational changes tenance and engineering software. Juniac’s call to transform paper-based entering into an agreement with China could lead to accelerated adoption. Essentially, this eliminated the need and legacy processes into digital ones. Telecom related to 5G applications. ganizations and regulators to start to for wet-ink signatures from the airline’s “Some of the global aviation bod- “Since last year, all of our facilities identify ways to meet social-distancing maintenance teams. Hansen estimates ies have their sights very much on are fully 5G-supported, and this is a measures and remote working condi- that gains for paperless projects are introducing paperless processes and type of pilot project aimed at devel- tions,” he says, highlighting the height- typically in the region of 5-10%, span- reducing regulatory roadblocks,” oping these types of applications in ened interest in e-signature adoption. ning the primary paperless objectives Dutton says. Geographical alignment the MRO industry,” he says. “We are Two of the barriers to adoption often of timeliness of information movement, between countries related to areas already using this across multiple de- cited are a lack of prioritizing from the reduced administrative overhead, such as data sharing is also a factor partments.” Marx adds that similar MRO to invest, particularly ones lack- more complete maintenance-history that will need to be addressed should projects are taking place between the

RUSADA ing the resources of a well-backed OEM research databases and a reduction the uptake of paperless processes in- telecoms provider and other industries wing to the novel coronavirus digitize aircraft maintenance records affiliate or independent. “MROs inter- of paper use. Hansen believes it could crease in the wake of the pandemic. such as health care and finance. c pandemic, the growth of the could soon change. Remote inspec- nal to an airline will have fewer barriers Ocommercial aftermarket has tions, already adopted by several MRO than contract third-party MROs,” says been severely crimped in 2020. At the players, including Ameco Beijing and Eric Hansen, CEO of software special- height of the first peak of the COVID-19 SR Technics, could also become the ist Aviation Intertec Services (AIS). outbreak, which led to the grounding of new normal. “For third-party MROs, a significant about 80% of the global commercial air- Although the sight of a techni- challenge can often be working with craft fleet in May, market analyst Oliver cian operating an electronic tablet is customer custom task cards, while Wyman estimates $17-35 billion could common, more sophisticated digital this will be less of an issue for MROs be wiped off the market’s value this PRINT & DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS | APPRAISAL SERVICES | DATA LICENSING year due to work cancellations. Many forecasters predict no real semblance DIGITAL MRO INITIATIVES IN 2020 of a recovery until 2022 at the earliest. Here is a snapshot of some of the digital initiatives being introduced by the MRO CONVERSIONS & This market downturn will lead to a MODIFICATIONS much-changed aviation industry: Air- industry in 2020. lines will likely downsize their fleets Aftermarket specialist AAR hopes to be a paperless operation in 18-24 months, through early aircraft retirements, resulting in a 15% efficiency gain for technicians. SERIALIZATION the labor market will see redundan- Alitalia is experimenting with e-logbooks starting with widebody aircraft at its line BY MODEL YEAR cies run into the hundreds and thou- stations worldwide. sands, and the MRO segment probably is partnering with startup accelerator program Whispr to imple- will consolidate. Iberia Maintenance One small crumb of comfort, how- ment its hands-free voice-guidance platform on projects such as digitizing the aircraft- ever, could be an opportunity for inspection documentation process on its Airbus A350 fleet, which was paper-based. MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS MROs to fast-track innovation as a Joramco adopted EmpowerMX’s FleetCycle MRO software, which will eventually allow means of achieving operational and it to run a paperless maintenance operation. efficiency gains. Taking these factors Liebherr-Aerospace has developed proprietary service center software called eLIROM into account, along with coronavirus- dedicated to processing all repair activities, which it says has the potential to increase NEXT GEN AVIONICS driven changes to working practices process efficiency by 30%. TRUST and a heightened sustainability aware- conducted its first totally paperless C check on an Airbus A340 in ness across the industry, a drive to - Sabena Technics Know the Value ward paperless maintenance could be early 2020. It hopes to have all its maintenance teams working on the same paperless forthcoming. There is optimism that model eventually. The industry’s go-to source for reliable the industry’s perceived lack of readi- SR Technics this summer introduced remote table inspections using a video-streaming and accurate aircraft valuations for over 65 years. Visit aircraftbluebook.com for more info. ness to adopt e-signatures and to portal for any engine type or shop visit.

MRO26 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO27 Inside Engine Analysis

“Both the CF34-8 and CF34-10 en- CF34 Stalwart gines are typically serviced for performance restoration shop visits—to re- Analyzing the regional aircraft engine store exhaust gas temperature margin that is logging a very high reliability rate and replace or repair some hot-section components—and life-limited parts Lee Ann Shay Chicago typically need replacing about every 25,000 cycles,” says Bellini. Because most CF34 shop visits are performed on condition, it requires a

CF34-10 engines are visting engine shops for an LPT service bulletin.

balancing act “to achieve maximum value and minimize costs,” which makes the decision often “more of an economical issue than a technical one,” says Needham. Because of this, he points to the importance of engine trend monitoring. While the CF34-8 and -10 engines GE have not been riddled with any major ith more than 5,000 engines t Status Shar airworthiness directives, there have producing at least a 99% been service bulletins—which is not ared reliability rate, it is hard to ared/eserve W unusual. “There has been a CF34-10 argue that GE’s CF34 regional aircraft low-pressure turbine (LPT) repair 20 engine program has been anything bringing engines into shops,” says but successful. tored Needham. “But, in general, there have According to the engine-maker: been no significant performance is- There are 1,643 CF34-10Es in opera- sues.” He does point out, however, that tion· with 98 operators. The powerplant the LPT service bulletin is causing has accumulated 32 million flight hours “engines to come back into the shop and 23 million cycles, and it generates within a very short interval of their a 99.98% reliability rate. In ervice last shop visit.” So while MTU tries to Ninety-eight CF34-10As are in opera- minimize turnaround time, some oper- ·tion with four operators. The power- *As of July 22, 2020 ators will opt for spare engines instead plant has accumulated 54,000 flight Source: Aviation Week Fleet Discovery of extra downtime. hours and 38,000 cycles, and it has At the beginning of 2020, GE intro- logged 100% reliability. Like all aircraft and engines around duced a durability package for new The CF34-8 family includes 3,792 en- the world, the CF34’s flight hours were and in-service CF34-8s. “The durabil- gines· in operation with 92 operators. affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ity package, which includes upgrades The fleet has accumulated 73 million But, “compared to other engine/air- to the fan, high-pressure compressor, flight hours and 54 million cycles, and it craft combinations, the use of regional combustor and high-pressure turbine, has generated a 99.96% reliability rate. jets with CF34 engines within domestic will reduce the unscheduled engine re- The CF34-8 variants power markets has seen a lower impact on uti- moval rate by up to 70% and increase Mitsubishi CRJ700, -900 and -1000 re- lization,” says Paolo Bellini, a GE mar- time on wing by up to 10%. [That] will gional jets (Bombardier concluded sell- keting manager for regional engines result in a lower life-cycle cost of main- ing its CRJ program to Mitsubishi Heavy and services. “And we continue to see, tenance for operators,” says Bellini. Industries on June 1), Bombardier week over week, more engines being The package is available to all CF34-8 Challenger 870 and 890 business jets brought back to service.” engine customers who want the up- and Embraer 170 and 175 regional jets. MTU Aero Engines expects its re- grade at their next shop visit. Meanwhile, the CF34-10 variants power gional operator customers to focus GE says it has “several hundred” the Comac ARJ21 family and Embraer on “on-wing and near-wing repairs” orders for each: the CF34-8E, which 190, 195 and 1000 regional jets. in the short term. For instance, it just powers the E175E1, and the -10A, which Of the Western air transport vari- completed “an on-wing blisk repair powers the ARJ21. ants, Aviation Week Network’s Fleet in Valencia, Spain” for its long-term Eight GE and third-party shops, Discovery database shows 65% of customer Air Norstrum, says Thomas such as MTU, support the CF34. The them in service, with only 11% in stor- Needham, MTU Maintenance vice OEM does not plan to change its sup- age (see chart). president of programs and sales. port network. c

MRO28 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Inside Engine Analysis Products and Services

“Both the CF34-8 and CF34-10 en- CF34 Stalwart gines are typically serviced for performance restoration shop visits—to re- Lavatory Upgrades Analyzing the regional aircraft engine store exhaust gas temperature margin that is logging a very high reliability rate and replace or repair some hot-section Lindsay Bjerregaard Chicago components—and life-limited parts Lee Ann Shay Chicago typically need replacing about every 25,000 cycles,” says Bellini. 1. Touchfree Lavatory Suite Because most CF34 shop visits are performed on condition, it requires a Company: Adams Rite Aerospace Specifications:Adams Rite Aerospace is CF34-10 engines are visting engine working to design and manufacture a suite shops for an LPT service bulletin. of approximately nine Touchfree lavatory products to address passenger concerns balancing act “to achieve maximum about COVID-19. The products include an value and minimize costs,” which automated waste flap, a hand sanitizer and makes the decision often “more of soap dispenser and a lightweight faucet an economical issue than a technical that Adams Rite says is easily retrofittable 1 one,” says Needham. Because of this, and targeted to be versatile across both he points to the importance of engine trend monitoring. single- and dual-aisle aircraft. Adams Rite is While the CF34-8 and -10 engines finalizing its lineup of airline, integrator and GE have not been riddled with any major OEM partners and is targeting early 2021 ith more than 5,000 engines t Status Shar airworthiness directives, there have for the Touchfree products’ market release. producing at least a 99% been service bulletins—which is not marketplace.aviationweek.com/ ared/eserve ared reliability rate, it is hard to product/touchfree-aircraft-lavatories W unusual. “There has been a CF34-10 argue that GE’s CF34 regional aircraft low-pressure turbine (LPT) repair 20 engine program has been anything bringing engines into shops,” says 2. Better Lavatory Accessibility but successful. tored Needham. “But, in general, there have According to the engine-maker: been no significant performance is- Company: FACC There are 1,643 CF34-10Es in opera- sues.” He does point out, however, that Specifications: FACC has introduced its tion· with 98 operators. The powerplant the LPT service bulletin is causing Lav4All product to improve lavatory acces- has accumulated 32 million flight hours “engines to come back into the shop sibility for passengers with reduced mobility and 23 million cycles, and it generates within a very short interval of their or impairments. Available as a retrofit option, a 99.98% reliability rate. In ervice last shop visit.” So while MTU tries to Lav4All’s door opens at a right angle, which Ninety-eight CF34-10As are in opera- minimize turnaround time, some oper- blocks off the view from the aisle to provide 2 ·tion with four operators. The power- *As of July 22, 2020 ators will opt for spare engines instead more privacy while creating more space plant has accumulated 54,000 flight of extra downtime. Source: Aviation Week Fleet Discovery for passengers in wheelchairs to more hours and 38,000 cycles, and it has At the beginning of 2020, GE intro- in lavatories to coat toilet seats, washbasins easily enter the lavatory. Its handles, levers logged 100% reliability. Like all aircraft and engines around duced a durability package for new or even an entire lavatory. Mankiewicz and switches have been adapted to special The CF34-8 family includes 3,792 en- the world, the CF34’s flight hours were and in-service CF34-8s. “The durabil- estimates that around 7,000 lavatories are needs such as height or size and are ac- gines· in operation with 92 operators. affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ity package, which includes upgrades currently coated with Alexit FST BioProtect. centuated in color. The fleet has accumulated 73 million But, “compared to other engine/air- to the fan, high-pressure compressor, marketplace.aviationweek.com/ marketplace.aviationweek.com/ flight hours and 54 million cycles, and it craft combinations, the use of regional combustor and high-pressure turbine, product/alexit-fst-bioprotect has generated a 99.96% reliability rate. jets with CF34 engines within domestic will reduce the unscheduled engine re- product/lav4all The CF34-8 variants power markets has seen a lower impact on uti- moval rate by up to 70% and increase 4. Antimicrobial LEDs Mitsubishi CRJ700, -900 and -1000 re- lization,” says Paolo Bellini, a GE mar- time on wing by up to 10%. [That] will 3. Germ-Killing Silver gional jets (Bombardier concluded sell- keting manager for regional engines result in a lower life-cycle cost of main- Company: Vital Vio ing its CRJ program to Mitsubishi Heavy and services. “And we continue to see, tenance for operators,” says Bellini. Company: Mankiewicz Specifications: Vital Vio, which provides anti- Industries on June 1), Bombardier week over week, more engines being The package is available to all CF34-8 Specifications: Mankiewicz has developed microbial LED lights that continuously sanitize Challenger 870 and 890 business jets brought back to service.” engine customers who want the up- a topcoat called Alexit FST BioProtect, surfaces, is seeing a significant ramp-up in and Embraer 170 and 175 regional jets. MTU Aero Engines expects its re- grade at their next shop visit. which uses silver technology to kill micro- interest from the aviation industry. It debuted Meanwhile, the CF34-10 variants power gional operator customers to focus GE says it has “several hundred” organisms on surfaces. Mankiewicz says its partnership with Delta Air Lines to test the the Comac ARJ21 family and Embraer on “on-wing and near-wing repairs” orders for each: the CF34-8E, which the product protects surfaces for “many technology in aircraft at CES this year, and 190, 195 and 1000 regional jets. in the short term. For instance, it just powers the E175E1, and the -10A, which years” without having to be renewed, and Vital Vio says it saw 40 times more inquiries Of the Western air transport vari- completed “an on-wing blisk repair powers the ARJ21. the silver technology is already being used in April compared with December 2019. Vital ants, Aviation Week Network’s Fleet in Valencia, Spain” for its long-term Eight GE and third-party shops, 3 Discovery database shows 65% of customer Air Norstrum, says Thomas such as MTU, support the CF34. The them in service, with only 11% in stor- Needham, MTU Maintenance vice OEM does not plan to change its sup- Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information. age (see chart). president of programs and sales. port network. c

MRO28 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO29 Products and Services

Vio is in the process of installing its propri- 4 etary LEDs in Delta’s fleet to replace existing lights over the lavatory sink, starting with the airline’s Boeing 757s. It is now working with airlines and airports across the country on ways to best deploy the technology. marketplace.aviationweek.com/ product/new-class-antimicrobial-light

5. Hands-Free Upgrades

Company: HAECO Cabin Solutions Specifications: HAECO Cabin Solutions has launched three hands-free lavatory upgrade products: an electric foot-controlled switch to flush toilets, an infrared sensor- based wastebasket lid and a refillable 5 hand-sanitizer dispenser. HAECO says the foot flush is already installed and flying with an undisclosed customer, and it has already received formal requests for proposals for all three products. Lead time is dependent on which solutions airlines select since each will be tailored to customers’ unique requirements. HAECO is targeting 60 days for implementation and certification. marketplace.aviationweek.com/ product/hands-free-lavatory-upgrades

6. Touchless Equipment

Company: Diehl Aviation Specifications: As part of its Cabin Confidence Concept to address novel- coronavirus-related travel concerns, Diehl Aviation is developing touchless lavatory components for the toilet, water faucet, waste flap, hand dryer and door lock that convert a lavatory into a decontamination can each be activated without touching any 6 chamber for aircraft crew on long-haul surfaces. According to Diehl, installation of flights by installing a hydrogen-peroxide these components will not require any “big fog unit. Etihad says that the unit would be changes of the existing construction.” Diehl installed below the sink and could decon- already offers hands-free lavatory handles taminate a person’s entire body within two and is now looking into UV-C technology to min. while leaving the lavatory fully opera- disinfect surfaces and purify water. tional for crew throughout the flight. The marketplace.aviationweek.com/ carrier is not yet sharing specifics about product/cabin-confidence-concept whether it or its customers are planning to implement the concept, but the airline 7. Lavatory Decontamination Chamber says it is targeting certification for all Airbus Company: Etihad Engineering and Boeing commercial aircraft types. Specifications: Etihad Engineering has marketplace.aviationweek.com/product/ developed a modification concept to lavatory-decontamination-chamber

Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information.

MRO30 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Products and Services Inside Viewpoint By JONAS MURBY Jonas Murby, a principal at AeroDynamic Advisory, also founded consultancy Merxcell. Vio is in the process of installing its propri- 4 etary LEDs in Delta’s fleet to replace existing R gauging actual demand, as they are re- lights over the lavatory sink, starting with the ceiving 40% of bookings within three airline’s Boeing 757s. It is now working with lobal aviation coorination is essential days of departure. airlines and airports across the country on The resulting impact on internation- ways to best deploy the technology. e have become used to traveling freely in an open world, al tra c—which accounted for 64% of marketplace.aviationweek.com/ but with COVID-19, borders add a layer of uncertainty 2019 revenue passenger kilometers— product/new-class-antimicrobial-light that may hamper aviation for years to come. can be huge. In May of this year, international tra c had shrunk to 2% of 5. Hands-Free Upgrades Since the beginning of the pandem- ■ How can case- and contact-track- previous levels. ic, the airline industry has understanding information be coordinated while The concept of building “travel Company: HAECO Cabin Solutions ably focused on measures that mitigate maintaining privacy? bubbles” among friendly countries Specifications: HAECO Cabin Solutions virus transmission risks in airports While keeping safe control over all with similar case levels and corona- has launched three hands-free lavatory up- and aircraft. However, the role of travel this, governments also must try to virus mitigation approaches has been grade products: an electric foot-controlled as a facilitator of the spread of a virus stay agile to accommodate travelers widely discussed. In Western Europe, switch to flush toilets, an infrared sensor- may be a larger obstacle and one that and the travel industry. The result is for example, tra c is ramping up, as based wastebasket lid and a refillable 5 the aviation industry can control less. borders opening soon, perhaps a bit it is in some areas of the Asia-Pacifi c hand-sanitizer dispenser. HAECO says the Europe’s Center for Disease Pre- later or closing on short notice, all in region. However, in the U.S., parts of foot flush is already installed and flying with vention and Control released a set of line with fl uctuating local case trends. Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin travel guidelines in late May to provide Neither airlines nor passengers are America and elsewhere, there are high an undisclosed customer, and it has already a common framework for facilitating ready to cope with this extra layer and rising case counts. received formal requests for proposals for travel. They are pragmatic, reasonable of uncertainty. The spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. all three products. Lead time is dependent guidelines that airlines can live with, Quarantine measures are one of may not be containable for a long time, on which solutions airlines select since such as encour- which could severely limit travel. The each will be tailored to customers’ unique aging hygiene, impact on global airline demand could requirements. HAECO is targeting 60 days mask-wearing Key Traffic Flow, 2018 be dire: Tra c to/from North Amer- for implementation and certification. and keeping mid- (percent of revenue passenger kilometers) ica alone accounts for 29% of typi- South marketplace.aviationweek.com/ dle seats empty America cal international revenue passenger product/hands-free-lavatory-upgrades “where possible.” Southwest kilometers. North Pacific However, the 2% America Consequently, international hub 1% 1% 6. Touchless Equipment document also 4% business models are in grave danger. Central 3% provides some 8% Most hub airlines’ short- and long-haul Company: Diehl Aviation America/ sobering read- Carribbean 14% Asia routes feed each other, and many times 12% Specifications: As part of its Cabin ing. It notes that 3% the lucrative long-haul operation helps Confidence Concept to address novel- none of the mea- 10% International support short haul. How can network Intra-Asia coronavirus-related travel concerns, Diehl sures that could Traffic airlines profitably rebuild their net- 2% 8% Aviation is developing touchless lavatory prevent infected works without internatioinal opera- Europe 19% components for the toilet, water faucet, passengers from 5% tions? And given border restrictions, traveling—such how can airlines aggregate enough waste flap, hand dryer and door lock that convert a lavatory into a decontamination International Middle Intra-Europe 4% East can each be activated without touching any 6 as “immunity Traffic 2% demand to sustain their routes? chamber for aircraft crew on long-haul passports” or Moreover, spending on production surfaces. According to Diehl, installation of flights by installing a hydrogen-peroxide pretravel/arrival and maintenance of long-haul aircraft these components will not require any “big Africa fog unit. Etihad says that the unit would be testing—are ei- Source: AA will be low for years to come. Long changes of the existing construction.” Diehl installed below the sink and could decon- ther sufficiently fl ights mean longer passenger expo- already offers hands-free lavatory handles taminate a person’s entire body within two e£ ective or economical. the top reasons travelers choose not sure to virus transmission (although and is now looking into UV-C technology to min. while leaving the lavatory fully opera- The document also highlights chal- to fl y. Assurances about the accessibil- the risk level hasn’t been scientifi cally disinfect surfaces and purify water. tional for crew throughout the flight. The lenges of managing and coordinating ity and safety of destinations are also proven yet), so passenger confi dence marketplace.aviationweek.com/ carrier is not yet sharing specifics about case tracking across borders, consid- indispensable for travelers . will take time to build. product/cabin-confidence-concept whether it or its customers are planning erations each country needs to make : Airlines as we knew them were in- Finally, less hub traffic may also to implement the concept, but the airline ■ What are standards for when to credibly optimized operations based prompt airlines to shift to smaller 7. Lavatory Decontamination Chamber says it is targeting certification for all Airbus open/close borders? on long-term planning and sophisti- widebody models. How many point-to- ■ What is the level of cases? Are they cated data-driven insight into supply/ point routes can fi ll a Boeing 777, espe- Company: Etihad Engineering and Boeing commercial aircraft types. trending up or down? demand elasticity. They were thus able cially in a low-demand environment? Specifications: Etihad Engineering has marketplace.aviationweek.com/product/ ■ What are the accepted approaches to constantly fi ll their highly utilized The need for global coordination, developed a modification concept to lavatory-decontamination-chamber to measuring cases? aircraft, which yielded low unit costs and ultimately an effective vaccine ■ What would be the effects on the and stimulated further demand. Now deployment, is clear to anyone hoping Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information. local health system if there is a local airlines are completely lacking data on to see aviation return anywhere close outbreak? demand dynamics and have no way of to where it was before the pandemic. c

MRO30 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO3 VIRTUAL September 22-24, 2020

Co-located with

THE POWER OF VIRTUAL

• 1:1 meetings in the privacy of your home/ofﬁ ce • Interact and collaborate on a global scale • Group and invitation chat rooms for focused discussions • Event accessible 2 weeks prior to ofﬁ cial date to registered attendees/exhibitors • No limits on geographical location

MRO Asia-Paciﬁ c delivers live and on-demand conference content, product demos and presentations • COVID-19 Crisis – What is the latest? How long will this go on? How will operators recover? • Where will the Asia-Paciﬁ c region be in terms of industry recovery by year end? • Survival strategies for smaller MRO’s and third-party MRO services • Workforce furloughs, layoffs, shop closings

Multiple Entry Points for Access mroasia.aviationweek.com

#MROAP | MRO Products and Services ADVERTISING SECTION M is an online service that connects in the MRO industry. Become a power user by registering at marketplace.aviationweek.com/register. Registration is FREE, enabling you to nd hundreds of products like the ones featured below and to connect with more than 8000 companies. You can create a personalized save list, learn about companies’ specialties, get contact details and request information at marketplace.aviationweek.com. To advertise in the Marketplace, contact

MRO Asia-Pacifi c Virtual, September 22-24, 2020: Overcoming Unprecedented Change and the Challenge of What Lies Ahead! While live events are on hold, virtual events will provide digital content, networking, and a marketplace where the airline, OEM and MRO supplier communities can discover and showcase new products and innovations, connect with and source new and existing business partners, and share knowledge and best practices. Our virtual platform breaks down physical barriers and builds virtual communities and ensures that MRO Asia-Pacifi c and AeroEngines Asia-Pacifi c continue to deliver the same high-quality content that our audience has come to expect and will deliver information on the region in terms of industry recovery from COVID-19 crisis, workforce furloughs, layoffs, shop closings, and survival strategies for smaller MRO’s and third-party MRO services. To learn more about the virtual events and register to attend, please visit: mroasia.aviationweek.com.

Visit for more information, including complete exhibitor listings!

ACCUDRAFT PAINT BOOTHS ADVANCED INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Aircraft Hangar Paint Booths Mentor Visual IQ HD Video Borescope

Paint booths and The Mentor Visual IQ has the highest fi nishing systems resolution HD image of any video designed around your borescope. The full-screen Real 3D fi nishing process and measurement and high resolution aerospace coatings. provide four times the accuracy of old Accudraft offers fashioned stereo. The Mentor IQ is custom solutions for available with fully interchangeable probes with diameters of 4.0, fi nishing needs at 6.1, 6.2 and 8.4mm and lengths from 2.0m to 30m. The highest any budget. resolution TFT touch screen LCD makes the user interface a breeze. The all new iView Remote allows you to connect your ipad to remotely view and control the HD MVIQ. Painting/Coatings • aitproducts.com Heat Coating/Brazing • www.accudraftpaintbooths.com Tools & Equipment • https://marketplace.avia- Hangars & Equipment • https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Test Equipment • tionweek.com/product/ Tools product/aircraft-hangar-paint-booths Aircraft on the Ground mentor-visual-iq-hd-video-borescope

AERSALE AIR QUALITY AVIATION Landing Gear MRO Services Air Quality Aviation Inc

AerSale Landing Gear Air Quality Aviation Inc., an MRO Solutions is a premier provider Repair Station established in 2000, of cost effective transport has been serving the Aerospace category aircraft landing Community for over 19 years. As a gear services. Our facilities U.S. Certifi ed Small Business we feature state-of-the-art surface have been providing big results & fi nishing and plating lines, continue to grow by providing Airlines the support they Require in-house repair engineering & Deserve. We are certifi ed by FAA, EASA, ISO, AS9110 and extensive on-site repair and much more. AQA is specialized in the Repair, overhaul of capabilities. For urgent Accessory Components. We are an industry leader in Hydraulics, Pneumatics and Electro-mechanical. www.aersale.com https://marketplace.avia- airqualityaviation.com MRO • tionweek.com/product/ https://marketplace.aviationweek. Landing Gear/Wheels/Brakes landing-gear-mro-services MRO com/product/air-quality-aviation-inc

Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information.

AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO33 MRO Products and Services ADETS SECTO

ALAS AEOSACE SSTES LLC AAO C. Zero Downtime. Innovative solutions,integrity,quality workmanship A leading aircraft parts distributor lobal Cabin Integrator and O asset manager with a global Transport Canada approved AO footprint serving over 00 Control oods rogram 6 airlines and O customers, art anufacturer, AA TSO headquartered in South lorida with holder AA,EASA, Bahrain approved warehouses offi ces in Europe, Expertise in design engineering and iddle East, and Asia. testing to manufacture, repair and Alaris is an ASA accredited company that specializes in the refurbish equipments 50 full time aftermarket distribution of Airframe and Engine Components for highly trained employees. commercial and regional aircrafts. e pride ourselves on being nimble, fl exible, and reliable. .avianor.com Cabin Interiors/InFlight Asset Management • Airframe Entertainment • Airframes • httpsmaretplace. and Engine Parts Supplier • APU .alarisaero.com Components • Engines/Engine aviationee.comproduct and Engine Leasing available • httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Systems • Landing Gear/Wheels/ innovative-solutions-integrity- Consulting Services comproductero-dontime Brakes • Military Maintenance quality-ormanship

AOC STUETS LLC ACE AEOSACE AE SSTES Power Conversion, Distribution and Storage Markets Always Reaching Higher Commercial Transport: Airbus: : -00-00-0, Every day, aircrews and passengers Static Inverter. Boeing: : -00- depend on our fl ight critical systems. 00-70, Static Inverter e bring four decades of experience Boeing: : 6BS0-, Battery in designing highly reliable and System effi cient systems that operate in the ilitaryDefense harshest environments. e Innovate Business Aviation or Those ho ove The orld. CompletionUpgradesods Helicopter Aftermarket and aintenance-epair-Overhaul services provided in house. http.avionicinstruments.com httpacme-aero.com Original Equipment • Avionics/ Cabin lnteriors/lnFlight httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Instruments • Cabin Interiors/ baesystems-ps.com Entertainment • Airframes • comproductpoer-conversion- InFlight Entertainment• httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Avionics/ Instruments • Electrical distribution-and-storage-marets Engines/Engine Systems comproductalays-reaching-higher

HC C. - UL ELECTOCS

anufacturer of OE- B Electronics is approved O Cleaning a fully franchised products for the aerospace distributor for aviation industry since high performance 5. Brulin’s O military and offering includes legendary aerospace, interconnect component lines. ith 50,000 sqft of AquaVantage 5 D and the new technology of AquaVantage warehouse space, Bs stock over 0,000 unique part numbers, 7 D another milder, safer, more effective cleaning available to ship within hours. In addition to its range of high product for turbine, wheel brake and airframe O. educe performance interconnect products, B offers value-added costs with longer tank life, simpler maintenance and better services including: L connector assembly, kitting services, cleaning. Broad material compatibility testing and approvals. inventory management, engineering support and cable assembly. eople-friendly formulation, mild pH, no VOCs.

.bhcinc.comindustrial .bgelectronics.com httpsmaretplace.aviationee. httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Services • Cleaning comcompanybhc-inc-brulin MRO • Military Maintenance comcompanybg-electronics

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information.

MRO3 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Products and Services ADETS SECTO MRO Products and Services ADETS SECTO

ALAS AEOSACE SSTES LLC AAO C. CASTE C SEES SECE SOLUTOS Zero Downtime. Innovative solutions,integrity,quality workmanship We partner with our Three decades ago, the CRJ Series aircraft revolutionized the A leading aircraft parts distributor customers to help regional market. Unmatched in value and reliability, this successful lobal Cabin Integrator and O asset manager with a global them exceed their program became the backbone of regional fl eets worldwide, Transport Canada approved AO footprint serving over 00 operational objectives. linking people and communities. With over 1,300 aircraft fl ying, Control oods rogram 6 airlines and O customers, accumulating over 50M fl ight hours and safely transporting more art anufacturer, AA TSO headquartered in South lorida with For more than two decades, CribMaster has worked directly than 2 billion people, the CRJ Series has the largest installed holder AA,EASA, Bahrain approved warehouses offi ces in Europe, with its customers and partners to deliver leading solutions that base of any regional aircraft in the world. Expertise in design engineering and iddle East, and Asia. improve the performance of manufacturing facilities and job sites testing to manufacture, repair and all over the world. By providing intelligent inventory and asset Alaris is an ASA accredited company that specializes in the refurbish equipments 50 full time management solutions, we help our customers optimize their aftermarket distribution of Airframe and Engine Components for highly trained employees. operations. commercial and regional aircrafts. e pride ourselves on being nimble, fl exible, and reliable. .avianor.com Cabin Interiors/InFlight httpsmaretplace. Asset Management • Airframe Entertainment • Airframes • MRO Americas • Original MRO Americas • Airframes and Engine Parts Supplier • APU .alarisaero.com Components • Engines/Engine aviationee.comproduct Equipment • Technology .cribmaster.com • Components • Parts httpsmaretplace.avia- and Engine Leasing available • httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Systems • Landing Gear/Wheels/ innovative-solutions-integrity- • Software • Services • httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Manufacturer • Third Party tionee.comcompany Consulting Services comproductero-dontime Brakes • Military Maintenance quality-ormanship Asset Management comcompanycribmaster Maintenance • Tools cr-series-service-solutions

AOC STUETS LLC ACE AEOSACE AE SSTES CUTSS-HT DALLAS AEOAUTCAL SECES Power Conversion, Distribution and Storage Markets Always Reaching Higher Commercial & Military Component MRO SPECIALISTS IN THE REPAIR & OVERHAUL Commercial Transport: Airbus: : -00-00-0, Every day, aircrews and passengers For over 25 years Curtiss-Wright CORPORATE & Static Inverter. Boeing: : -00- depend on our fl ight critical systems. Product Support has been an FAA COMMERCIAL 00-70, Static Inverter e bring four decades of experience approved repair station. Our expertise AIRCRAFT Boeing: : 6BS0-, Battery in designing highly reliable and includes the repair and overhaul of COMPOSITES AND System effi cient systems that operate in the Commercial/Military transport category STRUCTURES ilitaryDefense harshest environments. e Innovate aircraft actuators and associated Business Aviation or Those ho ove The orld. mechanical and structural components. CompletionUpgradesods Helicopter Curtiss-Wright also maintains an extensive exchange Aftermarket and aintenance-epair-Overhaul services pool, which is available 24/7/365 and also holds EASA, provided in house. http.avionicinstruments.com CAAC, DGCA and CAAT approvals. httpacme-aero.com Original Equipment • Avionics/ .curtissright.com Cabin lnteriors/lnFlight httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Instruments • Cabin Interiors/ baesystems-ps.com Components • httpsmaretplace.avia- .dasvcs.com Entertainment • Airframes • comproductpoer-conversion- InFlight Entertainment• httpsmaretplace.aviationee. Hydraulics/Pneumatics • tionee.comproduct httpsmaretplace.aviationee.com Avionics/ Instruments • Electrical distribution-and-storage-marets Engines/Engine Systems comproductalays-reaching-higher Military Maintenance commercial-military-component-mro Materials productspecialists-repair-overhaul

HC C. - UL ELECTOCS D L USESS ASSUACE USA C. FDA AEOSACE SOLUTOS anufacturer of OE- B Electronics is DNV GL is one of the world’s leading certifi cation bodies. We Galley and Lavatory Deep Cleaning, Decorative Repair, and approved O Cleaning a fully franchised help businesses manage risk and assure the performance FDA Sealant Refurbishment products for the aerospace distributor for of their organizations, products, people, facilities and supply aviation industry since high performance chains through certifi cation, verifi cation, assessment and training In these diffi cult times, 5. Brulin’s O military and services. We combine technical, digital and industry expertise clean and sanitary aircraft offering includes legendary aerospace, interconnect component lines. ith 50,000 sqft of to empower companies’ decisions and actions. Partnering with are more important to AquaVantage 5 D and the new technology of AquaVantage warehouse space, Bs stock over 0,000 unique part numbers, our customers, we build sustainable business performance the fl ying public than 7 D another milder, safer, more effective cleaning available to ship within hours. In addition to its range of high and create stakeholder trust across all types of industries. With ever. With the recent product for turbine, wheel brake and airframe O. educe performance interconnect products, B offers value-added origins stretching back to 1864 and operations in more than 100 implementation of electrostatic spray disinfection, your Aircraft’s costs with longer tank life, simpler maintenance and better services including: L connector assembly, kitting services, countries, our experts are dedicated to helping customers make surfaces may technically be sanitized and safe for customers, but cleaning. Broad material compatibility testing and approvals. inventory management, engineering support and cable assembly. the world safer, smarter and greener. do they actually look that way? eople-friendly formulation, mild pH, no VOCs. .daaerospacesolutions.com .dnvglcert.com httpsmaretplace.aviationee. .bhcinc.comindustrial .bgelectronics.com httpsmaretplace.avia- Original Equipment • comproductgalley-and-lavatory- httpsmaretplace.aviationee. httpsmaretplace.aviationee. tionee.comcompany Cabin Interiors/InFlight deep-cleaning-decorative-repair- Services • Cleaning comcompanybhc-inc-brulin MRO • Military Maintenance comcompanybg-electronics Services • Training dnv-gl-business-assurance-usa-inc Entertainment and-da-sealant-reurbishment

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information. Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information.

MRO3 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO3 MRO Products and Services ADVERTISING SECTION

FIELDLOGS FLITE COMPONENTS FieldLogs Digitalization Platform Quality repairs & dedication to customers

The FieldLogs Digitalization Platform Flite’s Repair Specifi cation enables a seamless defi nition and detailed for the Embraer execution of complex work packages. 170/175/190 APU Inlet Using a components-based approach, job Silencers has saved cards are assembled quickly, using: operators thousands of 1. OEM technical documentation automatically transformed into dollars and hundreds of days step level executable elements, in lost aircraft time. A leader in radome repair, Flite can repair & 2. Relevant IT components to manage the business side of the Test radomes from Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer, Hawker, process, to Learjet. 3. Any additional information necessary (e.g., sensor or learning components). www.fi eldlogs.com www.fl ite.aero Technology • Manuals/Repair https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.avia- Documentation/Records • tionweek.com/product/ tionweek.com/product/ Software fi eldlogs-digitalization-platform MRO quality-repairs-dedication-customers

GENESIS AVIATION INC. GREATER WICHITA - AIR CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Genesis offers The Wichita region is known as the comprehensive Air Capital of the World. Wichita individualized offers a network of more than 450 aircraft component world-class suppliers, including four solutions to reduce OEMs, and Spirit AeroSystems, your vendor base the world’s largest supplier of and control costs with the ﬁ nest quality repair services, parts aviation components and subassemblies. Wichita is also home distribution, procurement services, repair management, and to the National Institute for Aviation Research and a brand new asset management. Worldwide AOG service is available 24/7 Innovation Campus, both at Wichita State University, and the with an extensive on hand inventory and exchange pool for your National Center for Aviation Training that is setting the standards immediate needs. for aviation training curriculum in the U.S. With a pro-aviation environment, a low tax environment, customized real estate and the highest concentration of available skilled aerospace manufacturing employees in the USA, there’s no better place for Fuel/Lubricants • MRO • www.genesisaviation.com aviation investment. www.greaterwichitapartnership.org Hydraulics/Pneumatics • https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Services • Asset Management com/company/genesis-aviation-inc company/greater-wichita-air-capital-world

THE HILLER COMPANIES HOFMANN INTELLIGENT BALANCING SYSTEMS Your Partners in Special Hazard Fire Protection For decades, American Hofmann Corporation Hiller has partnered with has been recognized as ANSUL® to showcase a key global leader in the special hazard ﬁ re protection Aerospace Turbine and Power industries. The Lynchburg Virginia products. Fire on the Operations have been selling, manufacturing and supporting the runway, near fueling areas, balancing needs for the Global Aerospace Industry for the past and in hangars can have 45 years. devastating consequences. Fireﬁ ghting equipment and automatic detection and suppression systems will help protect lives and property.

hillerﬁ re.com www.hofmann-global.com https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.avia- com/product/your-partners- MRO • tionweek.com/company/ Tools & Equipment special-hazard-ﬁ re-protection Military Maintenance hofmann-intelligent-balancing-systems

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information.

MRO3 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Products and Services ADVERTISING SECTION MRO Products and Services ADVERTISING SECTION

FIELDLOGS FLITE COMPONENTS HUTCHINSON AEROSPACE SERVICES / STOP-CHOC INVENTORY LOCATOR SERVICE, LLC FieldLogs Digitalization Platform Quality repairs & dedication to customers Cockpit Panel Refurbishment MAXIMIZE AVIATION PARTS & PROFITS

The FieldLogs Digitalization Platform Flite’s Repair Specifi cation EASA AA TCCA ID HAT OU EED enables a seamless defi nition and detailed for the Embraer certifi ed process, - utilize our IC libraries to execution of complex work packages. 170/175/190 APU Inlet no maintenance determine which airframe and Using a components-based approach, job Silencers has saved manual required. or engine can deliver the most cards are assembled quickly, using: operators thousands of All aircraft types covered. profi t per part to your business. 1. OEM technical documentation automatically transformed into dollars and hundreds of days arts returned to service step level executable elements, in lost aircraft time. A leader in radome repair, Flite can repair & looking pristine. SELL HAT OU HAVE - expand your reach to global 2. Relevant IT components to manage the business side of the Test radomes from Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer, Hawker, Hutchinson Aerospace customers and access a highly targeted market of motivated process, to Learjet. Services also provide a wide range of O services including buyers. 3. Any additional information necessary (e.g., sensor or learning composites, structures, fl uid transfer, thermal insulation, seals, components). gaskets and more. ree Trial Subscription at ILSAT.CO www.fi eldlogs.com www.fl ite.aero Contact us: www.stopchoc.co.uk salesstop-choc.co.uk Technology • Manuals/Repair https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.avia- www.ILSmart.com Documentation/Records • tionweek.com/product/ tionweek.com/product/ MRO • Avionics/Instruments • Cabin tionweek.com/product/ https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ Software fi eldlogs-digitalization-platform MRO quality-repairs-dedication-customers Interiors/InFlight Entertainment cockpit-panel-refurbishment Aerospace Materials product/maximize-aviation-parts-profi ts

GENESIS AVIATION INC. GREATER WICHITA - AIR CAPITAL OF THE WORLD IPG K&H INDUSTRIES, INC.

Genesis offers The Wichita region is known as the I is a leading or over 55 years, H Industries has been a U.S. manufacturer of comprehensive Air Capital of the World. Wichita manufacture of high portable lighting and temporary power solutions for a wide variety individualized offers a network of more than 450 quality OE approved of industries. e have a dedicated group of skilled professionals aircraft component world-class suppliers, including four tapes, ilms and Textiles that take pride in manufacturing quality, durable products solutions to reduce OEMs, and Spirit AeroSystems, that consistently meet the locally, and helping our customers design and build customized your vendor base the world’s largest supplier of demands of the aerospace solutions. Our website showcases our most popular lighting and control costs with the ﬁ nest quality repair services, parts aviation components and subassemblies. Wichita is also home industry. I has over and power products, including explosion proof lights, retractable distribution, procurement services, repair management, and to the National Institute for Aviation Research and a brand new 50 year of experience producing these products in the United power cord reels, and LED work lights. e offer thousands of asset management. Worldwide AOG service is available 24/7 Innovation Campus, both at Wichita State University, and the States. e specialize in non-fl y O as well as electrical and products to meet our customers’ unique needs, including custom with an extensive on hand inventory and exchange pool for your National Center for Aviation Training that is setting the standards electronic tapes. Our O products are used in the process of confi guration. Let us know how we can provide a solution for you. immediate needs. for aviation training curriculum in the U.S. With a pro-aviation applying and removing aerospace coatings from metal, plastic environment, a low tax environment, customized real estate and composite materials in the commercial and military sectors and the highest concentration of available skilled aerospace as well as protecting valuable parts from corrosion and damage manufacturing employees in the USA, there’s no better place for during storage and shipping. Fuel/Lubricants • MRO • www.genesisaviation.com aviation investment. www.greaterwichitapartnership.org www.intertapepolymer.com khindustries.com Hydraulics/Pneumatics • https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ https://marketplace.aviation- Original Equipment • https://marketplace.aviationweek. Services • Asset Management com/company/genesis-aviation-inc company/greater-wichita-air-capital-world MRO • Painting/Coatings week.com/company/ipg Consumables/Supplies com/company/kh-industries-inc

THE HILLER COMPANIES HOFMANN INTELLIGENT BALANCING SYSTEMS KING AEROSPACE KING AEROSPACE Your Partners in Special Hazard Fire Protection For decades, American Take the Pain Out of Paint Aircraft Avionics for the VVIP Hofmann Corporation Hiller has partnered with has been recognized as Enoy signifi cantly reduced paint ing Aerospace installs state-of- ANSUL® to showcase a key global leader in the pricing during this unprecedented the-art equipment and upgrades special hazard fi re protection Aerospace Turbine and Power industries. The Lynchburg Virginia time. ing Aerospace offers a wide existing aircraft avionics in some products. Fire on the Operations have been selling, manufacturing and supporting the variety of services, including full of the largest, most complex runway, near fueling areas, balancing needs for the Global Aerospace Industry for the past strip, restriping, VVI registration corporate aircraft in the industry. and in hangars can have 45 years. change, highly complex custom Talk to this proven O when devastating consequences. designs, corrosion detection and you need to comply with new Firefi ghting equipment and correction. Been thinking about a AA certifi cations or want the automatic detection and suppression systems will help protect new coat ow is the time. latest in infl ight entertainment lives and property. e’re available for a limited time at a reduced price. IE and cabin management Call us today at 7..67. systems CS. hillerfi re.com www.hofmann-global.com https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.avia- MRO • Interiors kingaerospace.com/corporate/paint kingaerospace.com com/product/your-partners- MRO • tionweek.com/company/ • IFE • Avionics • https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ MRO • Cabin Interiors/ https://marketplace.aviationweek. Tools & Equipment special-hazard-fi re-protection Military Maintenance hofmann-intelligent-balancing-systems Maintenance • Paint company/king-aerospace InFlight Entertainment com/product/aircraft-avionics-vvip

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information. Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information.

MRO3 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO3 MRO Products and Services ADETS SECTO

LUATO AATHOOCO AEOSACE Innovators in Aerospace Designed To Perform lighting, Luminator Aerospace Built To Last has been the premier supplier of interior and exterior lighting, icro aintenance batteries passenger information are improved low-maintenance signs and searchlights to i-Cad batteries that supply the commercial, general and military aircraft markets for over 75 reliable power for helicopters years Serving three maor transportation sectors: aerospace, bus, and fi xed wing aircrafts of all and rail, Luminator provides advanced solutions for many aircraft sizes. ou can easily make the change to a icro lighting and signage requirements. Our LED aircraft lighting and aintenance without aircraft modifi cations and can passenger information signs are designed to meet the needs of service with your existing battery shop equipment. an ever-evolving aerospace industry.

.mnaerospace.com httpsmaretplace.avia- httpsmaretplace.aviation- Airframes • Components • tionee.comproduct MRO • Lighting ee.comcompanyluminator Connectors/Fasteners • Electrical designed-perorm-built-last

ASTEELT - COECSUS AEOSACE D TUES C. End of life solutions for your engines/loose scrap Turbine Engine Teardown, Logistics and Repairs!!!

Our goal is to expand D Turbines, D the green foot print into Turbines Logistics and aviation. astermelt- D Turbines epairs Conecsus Aerospace has you covered e specializes in recycling end of life turbine engines and loose are a one stop shop components. e have a complete closed loop system that allows for turbine engine your end of life material to be processed and re-melted in future teardown, nationwide engine components. logistics and AA 5 repair services. Visit our website for more information of our services. ou have engines, we know engines

.mastermeltgroup.com .mdturbines.com httpsmaretplace.aviationee. httpsmaretplace.aviationee. comproductend-lie-solutions- comproductturbine-engine- Services your-engines-loose-scrap Aerospace Materials teardon-logistics-and-repairs

DAECA AEOSACE D-STATE AEOSACE C. idAmerican Aerospace Aerospace Hose Assemblies has over 00 years of combined experience in id-State Aerospace, Inc. is a fully Aviation Spares. ith a authorized distributor and hose 00,000 sq. ft. warehouse fabricator for arkerStratofl ex. e dedicated to Shipping eceiving, rocessing, and Inventory offer a - day lead time on most storage, idAmerican Aerospace provides reliable and world in-stock items, 00 testing of all class service delivering ready-to-go spares. hose assemblies, and ID tags with lot control. See our website for a full list of our products.

.midamaero.com Avionics/Instruments • Cabin Interiors/ httpsmaretplace.avia- .midstateaero.com InFlight Entertainment • Components • tionee.comcompany Original Equipment • httpsmaretplace.aviationee.com Landing Gear/Wheels/Brakes • Parts midamerican-aerospace Parts productaerospace-hose-assemblies

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information.

MRO3 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Products and Services ADETS SECTO MRO Products and Services ADETS SECTO

LUATO AATHOOCO AEOSACE OTHEAST AEO COESSO CO EACO OTHE COOSTES LLC Innovators in Aerospace Designed To Perform Pneumatic and Hydraulic Specialist Northern Composites is a manufacturer, distributor and lighting, Luminator Aerospace Built To Last representative for a comprehensive line of structural and has been the premier supplier “We Will Keep You Flying” process materials. Northern currently has two locations in the of interior and exterior lighting, US, distributors in Europe and Asia and plans to expand further icro aintenance batteries NEACO is an Unlimited passenger information in 2020. Lines include Mitsubishi prepreg, Northern process are improved low-maintenance Accessories Class I & II signs and searchlights to materials, PFG peel plies, Henkel adhesives and pastes, BGF i-Cad batteries that supply MRO specializing in the commercial, general and military aircraft markets for over 75 reinforcements and PTM&W resins. reliable power for helicopters Boeing, Airbus, and years Serving three maor transportation sectors: aerospace, bus, and fi xed wing aircrafts of all Embraer component and rail, Luminator provides advanced solutions for many aircraft sizes. ou can easily make the change to a icro repair. Our State of the lighting and signage requirements. Our LED aircraft lighting and aintenance without aircraft modifi cations and can Art Technology and passenger information signs are designed to meet the needs of service with your existing battery shop equipment. uncompromising customer an ever-evolving aerospace industry. service has been delivering quality services for over 25 years. .mnaerospace.com .neacorepair.com httpsmaretplace.avia- httpsmaretplace.avia- Advanced Materials/ .northerncomposites.com httpsmaretplace.aviation- Airframes • Components • tionee.comproduct Components • Engines • tionee.comproduct Composites • httpsmaretplace.aviationee.com MRO • Lighting ee.comcompanyluminator Connectors/Fasteners • Electrical designed-perorm-built-last Third Party Maintenance northeast-aero-compressor-corp Chemicals • Kitting companynorthern-composites-llc

ASTEELT - COECSUS AEOSACE D TUES C. D ASAES LTD. OLE A AATO End of life solutions for your engines/loose scrap Turbine Engine Teardown, Logistics and Repairs!!! Worldwide leader - consumable/expendable solutions Quality, Reliability and Consistent Performance

Our goal is to expand D Turbines, D PDQ Airspares has PAA is a Transport the green foot print into Turbines Logistics and established itself as Europe’s Canada (TC) and EASA aviation. astermelt- D Turbines epairs leading consumable solution Approved Maintenance Conecsus Aerospace has you covered e provider to the Airline & Organization (AMO) with specializes in recycling end of life turbine engines and loose are a one stop shop MRO industry. With over maintenance, repair and components. e have a complete closed loop system that allows for turbine engine 25 years’ experience we not overhaul capabilities in your end of life material to be processed and re-melted in future teardown, nationwide only understand but also three categories (avionics, engine components. logistics and AA 5 effectively target the individual demands of customer’s operational components & instruments) that span over 8000 instruments and repair services. Visit our website for more information of our requirements, with solutions that are guaranteed to generate components on military, commercial & regional transports, private services. ou have engines, we know engines signiﬁ cant savings in both time and money. & corporate planes and helicopters.

.mastermeltgroup.com .mdturbines.com .pdq-airspares.aero .poleair.com httpsmaretplace.aviationee. httpsmaretplace.aviationee. httpsmaretplace.aviationee. httpsmaretplace.aviationee. comproductend-lie-solutions- comproductturbine-engine- comproductorldide-leader- MRO • Avionics/Instruments • comproductquality-reliability- Services your-engines-loose-scrap Aerospace Materials teardon-logistics-and-repairs Original Equipment consumable-ependable-solutions Components and-consistent-perormance

DAECA AEOSACE D-STATE AEOSACE C. OLE OLD C. EFEED COOSTE SECES CS idAmerican Aerospace Aerospace Hose Assemblies PMI, caps/plugs and custom molded products. Leaders in Quality Airframe and Nacelle Repairs has over 00 years of combined experience in id-State Aerospace, Inc. is a fully PMI’s proprietary line Approved by FAA & EASA, Aviation Spares. ith a authorized distributor and hose of high quality products PCS is an expert in all 00,000 sq. ft. warehouse fabricator for arkerStratofl ex. e offers you low cost types of composite & metal dedicated to Shipping eceiving, rocessing, and Inventory offer a - day lead time on most protection solutions. airframe repairs. We service storage, idAmerican Aerospace provides reliable and world in-stock items, 00 testing of all Plastic caps, plugs, tube all manufacturers including: class service delivering ready-to-go spares. hose assemblies, and ID tags with lot inserts, sleeve netting, Airbus, Boeing and Embraer. control. See our website for a full list and vinyl products as Our dedicated Nacelle of our products. well as high temperature Division services V2500, silicone and rubber masking items are available for all of your CFM, Trent, PW4000, RB211, and CF6 inlet cowls, fan cowls, product protection needs. reversers, sleeves, and doors.

.midamaero.com .polymermolding.com .pcs.aero Avionics/Instruments • Cabin Interiors/ httpsmaretplace.avia- .midstateaero.com httpsmaretplace.aviationee. httpsmaretplace.aviationee. InFlight Entertainment • Components • tionee.comcompany Original Equipment • httpsmaretplace.aviationee.com comproductpmi-capsplugs- comproductleaders-quality- Landing Gear/Wheels/Brakes • Parts midamerican-aerospace Parts productaerospace-hose-assemblies MRO and-custom-molded-products Manufacturing & Distributing airrame-and-nacelle-repairs

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information. Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information.

MRO3 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO3 MRO Products and Services ADVERTISING SECTION

SAFETECH SANDSTROM COATING TECHNOLOGIES Sales and Service for 30 years! Sandstrom Coating Technologies’ ilitary Safetech provides SAE L dry fi lm quality sales and lubricants have been services of Aviation used on commercial Safety Equipment. and military aerospace Infl atable Services applications for over 50 years. Sandstrom coatings have proven include Life afts, Evacuation Slides and Life Vests. Our bottle their market versatility and performance reliability in manned and shop provides complete servicing of oxygen and fi re bottles, from unmanned aviation and spacefl ight applications. weight checks to complete overhauls.

www.sandstromproducts.com www.safetech-usa.com https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.aviation- tionweek.com/company/ Tools & Equipment week.com/product/safetech MRO • Painting/Coatings sandstrom-coating-technologies

SKYLOX, DIVISION OF KASCAR, LLC SOCOMORE THE Circuit Breaker Safety Lockout-Tagout Tool! e develop expert solutions for the preparation, testing and treatment of surfaces before bonding and assembly operations. The Skylox and isolox, Our solutions are designed for use in manufacture, inspection circuit breaker lockout-tagout and maintenance operations in the aerospace, automotive, rail, tools for use in ground metal and energy industries. maintenance. Skylox and isolox are supplemented with skyclip, skytag and skyvault for extra security. Tool accountability kits, available. ith Over .5 million sold worldwide, Skylox is THE circuit breaker safety tool.

skylox.com https://marketplace. Avionics/Instruments • Electrical • Military Maintenance • Ground aviationweek.com/product/ MRO • Engines/Engine www.socomore.com Support Equipment • Safety/ lockout-tagout-aircraft-main- Systems • Painting/Coatings https://marketplace.aviationweek. Emergency Equipment • Tools tenance-safety-tool • Services • Cleaning com/company/socomore

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOGISTICS AIRPORT SPIRE FLIGHT SOLUTIONS Southern California Logistics Airport Your mission is our mission!

Southern California Logistics et trusted operations support Airport is an aviation, from take-off to landing with aerospace and industrial Spire light Solutions. Our hub dedicated to meeting customized services for aircraft your aircraft life cycle needs. lessors include comprehensive ith providers specializing in pilot, fl ight, and ground support design, fl ight testing, O services. e’re certifi ed by the services and more, discover BDCA and part of orld uel Services, a ortune 00 company. what SCLA can do for your Every day, everywhere, we deliver trusted fl ight support solutions. operations today. Contact 760--00 for details or more information visit www.spirefl ight.com.

www.victorvilleca.gov www.spireﬂ ight.com Services • Asset https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.aviationweek. Management • Economic tionweek.com/product/ com/company/spire-ﬂ ight-solutions- Development/Airports southern-california-logistics-airport Aftermarket Services world-fuel-services-company

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information.

MRO0 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Products and Services ADVERTISING SECTION MRO Products and Services ADVERTISING SECTION

SAFETECH SANDSTROM COATING TECHNOLOGIES TELEDYNE CONTROLS TERRE HAUTE REGIONAL AIRPORT Sales and Service for 30 years! Sandstrom Coating Keep your fleet up to date. Terre Haute Regional Airport Technologies’ ilitary Safetech provides SAE L dry fi lm By combining Teledyne’s Terre Haute Regional Airport is quality sales and lubricants have been new PMAT XS® mobile situated in the heart of the Midwest just services of Aviation used on commercial dataloader with our west of Indianapolis. We are home Safety Equipment. and military aerospace fully redesigned LSE 3 to military operations, flight training, Infl atable Services applications for over 50 years. Sandstrom coatings have proven configuration management aircraft charter, maintenance, and include Life afts, Evacuation Slides and Life Vests. Our bottle their market versatility and performance reliability in manned and system, aircraft operators precision machining. Long runways, shop provides complete servicing of oxygen and fi re bottles, from unmanned aviation and spacefl ight applications. can automate their data FAA control tower, and top notch weight checks to complete overhauls. distribution process and amenities ensure your best possible eliminate the inefficient use of physical media to load essential experience. With a great location and data to the aircraft. This not only helps dramatically reduce costs, statewide incentives, we are the prime but also facilitates regulatory compliance. location for your business. www.sandstromproducts.com www.huf.com www.safetech-usa.com https://marketplace.avia- Technology • Hardware www.teledynecontrols.com Economic Development/ https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.aviation- tionweek.com/company/ • Manuals/Repair https://marketplace.aviationweek. Airports • Airport tionweek.com/company/ Tools & Equipment week.com/product/safetech MRO • Painting/Coatings sandstrom-coating-technologies Documentation/Records com/product/keep-your-fleet-date Equipment & Services terre-haute-international-airport

SKYLOX, DIVISION OF KASCAR, LLC SOCOMORE TITAN ROBOTICS INC. TITAN TOOL SUPPLY, INC. THE Circuit Breaker Safety Lockout-Tagout Tool! e develop expert solutions for the preparation, testing and Non-Destructive Inspection Videoscope Records Video & Still MRO Inspections treatment of surfaces before bonding and assembly operations. The Skylox and isolox, Our solutions are designed for use in manufacture, inspection Titan’s robotic systems Titan Tool Supply’s Model circuit breaker lockout-tagout and maintenance operations in the aerospace, automotive, rail, can deliver the latest TVSG Videoscope enables tools for use in ground metal and energy industries. sensor technologies visual inspections at remote maintenance. to complex surfaces MRO sites to be recorded in Skylox and isolox are for data collection. both still images and video. supplemented with skyclip, Applications include 3D Models are available in 4.5 mm skytag and skyvault for extra security. Tool accountability kits, scanning, non-contact or 6.4 mm diameters and 1.5 available. ith Over .5 million sold worldwide, Skylox is thickness measurement, m or 3.0 m lengths. Full 360° THE circuit breaker safety tool. and other challenging joystick articulation control. inspection tasks. skylox.com https://marketplace. www.titanrobots.com www.titantoolsupply.com Avionics/Instruments • Electrical Original Equipment • • Military Maintenance • Ground aviationweek.com/product/ MRO • Engines/Engine www.socomore.com Components • Hangars & https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.aviationweek. Support Equipment • Safety/ lockout-tagout-aircraft-main- Systems • Painting/Coatings https://marketplace.aviationweek. Equipment • Aircraft on the tionweek.com/product/ com/product/videoscope-records- Emergency Equipment • Tools tenance-safety-tool • Services • Cleaning com/company/socomore Ground • Painting/Coatings non-destructive-inspection Tools & Equipment video-still-mro-inspections-0

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOGISTICS AIRPORT SPIRE FLIGHT SOLUTIONS UNIWEST VALLEN Southern California Logistics Airport Your mission is our mission! NDE Experts. Tough challenges. Critical solutions. MRO and Supply Chain Solutions

Southern California Logistics et trusted operations support The EVi Instrument – From Manufacturing to Airport is an aviation, from take-off to landing with A visually stunning Heavy Checks, Vallen aerospace and industrial Spire light Solutions. Our portable Eddy Current offers Compliant MRO hub dedicated to meeting customized services for aircraft Testing Machine. Used for and Supply Chain your aircraft life cycle needs. lessors include comprehensive surface and subsurface Solutions that Deliver ith providers specializing in pilot, fl ight, and ground support inspections for detection Savings Year-after-Year. design, fl ight testing, O services. e’re certifi ed by the of cracks and indications services and more, discover BDCA and part of orld uel Services, a ortune 00 company. in conductive materials. what SCLA can do for your Every day, everywhere, we deliver trusted fl ight support solutions. The color display provides easily readable data through operations today. Contact 760--00 for details or more information visit www.spirefl ight.com. the impedance plane, A-scan, or strip chart displays. www.victorvilleca.gov www.spireﬂ ight.com www.uniwest.com vallen.com Services • Asset https://marketplace.avia- https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.aviationweek. https://marketplace.avia- Management • Economic tionweek.com/product/ com/company/spire-ﬂ ight-solutions- com/product/nde-experts-tough- tionweek.com/product/ Development/Airports southern-california-logistics-airport Aftermarket Services world-fuel-services-company Test Equipment challenges-critical-solutions Tools & Equipment mro-and-supply-chain-solutions

Go to maretae.aiationee.om for more information. Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information.

MRO0 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO AviationWeek.com/MRO INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 MRO41 MRO Products and Services CATEGORY INDEX

ADVANCED MATERIALS/COMPOSITES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/AIRPORTS MRO AMERICAS Northern Composites, LLC ...... MRO39 Southern California Logistics Airport ...... MRO40 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 Terre Haute Regional Airport ...... MRO41 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 AEROSPACE MATERIALS Inventory Locator Services, LLC ...... MRO37 ELECTRICAL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MD Turbines, Inc ...... MRO38 Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 BAE Systems ...... MRO34 Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 AFTERMARKET SERVICES Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 FDA Aerospace Solutions ...... MRO35 Spire Flight Solutions ...... MRO40 K&H Industries ...... MRO37 ENGINES/ENGINE SYSTEMS PDQ Airspares LTD ...... MRO39 AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Advanced Inspection Technologies, Inc . . . . . MRO33 BAE Systems ...... MRO34 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Northeast Aero PAINT Compressor Corp (NEACO) ...... MRO39 King Aerospace ...... MRO37 AIRPORT EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Socomore ...... MRO40 Terre Haute Regional Airport ...... MRO41 PAINTINGS/COATINGS FUEL/LUBRICANTS Accudraft Paint Booths ...... MRO33 AIRFRAMES Genesis ...... MRO36 IPG ...... MRO37 Aersale ...... MRO33 Sandstorm Coating Technologies ...... MRO40 Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT Socomore ...... MRO40 Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 HANGERS & EQUIPMENT PARTS Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 Accudraft Paint Booths ...... MRO33 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Mid-State Aerospace, Inc ...... MRO38 AIRFRAME AND ENGINE PARTS SUPPLIER HARDWARE PARTS MANUFACTURER Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 Teledyne Controls ...... MRO41 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35

ASSET MANAGEMENT HYDRAULICS/PNEUMATICS SERVICES Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 Curtiss-Wright ...... MRO35 BHC, Inc - Brulin ...... MRO34 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 Genesis ...... MRO36 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 Southern California Logistics Airport ...... MRO40 DNV GL Business Assurance USA, Inc . . . . MRO35 IFE Genesis ...... MRO36 AVIONICS/INSTRUMENTS King Aerospace ...... MRO37 Mastermelt - Conecsus Aerospace ...... MRO38 Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 Socomore ...... MRO40 BAE Systems ...... MRO34 KITTING Southern California Logistics Airport ...... MRO40 Genesis ...... MRO36 Northern Composites, LLC ...... MRO39 Hutchinson Aerospace Services/ SOFTWARE Stop-Choc ...... MRO37 LANDING GEAR/WHEELS/BRAKES Cribmaster ...... MRO35 King Aerospace ...... MRO37 Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 FieldLogs ...... MRO36 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 Pole Air Aviation ...... MRO39 TECHNOLOGY Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 LIGHTING Cribmaster ...... MRO35 Luminator ...... MRO38 FieldLogs ...... MRO36 CABIN INTERIORS/INFLIGHT Teledyne Controls ...... MRO41 ENTERTAINMENT MAINTENANCE Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 King Aerospace ...... MRO37 TEST EQUIPMENT Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 Advanced Inspection BAE Systems ...... MRO34 MANUALS/REPAIR/DOCUMENTATION/ Technologies, Inc ...... MRO33 FDA Aerospace Solutions ...... MRO35 RECORDS Uniwest ...... MRO41 Hutchinson Aerospace Services/ FieldLogs ...... MRO36 Stop-Choc ...... MRO37 Teledyne Controls ...... MRO41 THIRD PARTY MAINTENANCE King Aerospace ...... MRO37 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 MATERIALS Northeast Aero Dallas Aeronautical Services ...... MRO35 Compressor Corp (NEACO) ...... MRO39 CHEMICALS Northern Composites, LLC ...... MRO39 MILITARY MAINTENANCE TOOLS & EQUIPMENT Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Accudraft Paint Booths ...... MRO33 CLEANING BJG Electronics ...... MRO34 Advanced Inspection BHC, Inc - Brulin ...... MRO34 Curtiss-Wright ...... MRO35 Technologies, Inc ...... MRO33 Socomore ...... MRO40 Hofmann Intelligent Balancing Systems . . . . MRO36 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 The Hiller Companies ...... MRO36 COMPONENTS Mid-State Aerospace, Inc ...... MRO38 Aersale ...... MRO33 MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTING Safetech ...... MRO40 Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Preferred Composite Servcies (PCS) . . . . . MRO39 Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 Titan Tool Supply, Inc ...... MRO41 Curtiss-Wright ...... MRO35 MRO Vallen ...... MRO41 Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 Aersale ...... MRO33 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 Air Quality Aviation ...... MRO33 TRAINING Northeast Aero BJG Electronics ...... MRO34 DNV GL Business Assurance USA, Inc . . . . MRO35 Compressor Corp (NEACO) ...... MRO39 Flite Components ...... MRO36 Pole Air Aviation ...... MRO39 Genesis ...... MRO36 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Hofmann Intelligent Balancing Systems . . . . MRO36 Hutchinson Aerospace Services/ CONNECTORS/FASTENERS Stop-Choc ...... MRO37 Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 IPG ...... MRO37 King Aerospace ...... MRO37 CONSULTING SERVICES Luminator ...... MRO38 Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 Mid-State Aerospace, Inc ...... MRO38 Pole Air Aviation ...... MRO39 CONSUMABLES/SUPPLIES Polymer Molding, Inc ...... MRO39 K&H Industries ...... MRO37 Sandstorm Coating Technologies ...... MRO40 Socomore ...... MRO40 Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information.

MRO42 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO MRO Products and Services CATEGORY INDEX

ADVANCED MATERIALS/COMPOSITES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/AIRPORTS MRO AMERICAS Northern Composites, LLC ...... MRO39 Southern California Logistics Airport ...... MRO40 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 Terre Haute Regional Airport ...... MRO41 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 AEROSPACE MATERIALS Inventory Locator Services, LLC ...... MRO37 ELECTRICAL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MD Turbines, Inc ...... MRO38 Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 BAE Systems ...... MRO34 Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 AFTERMARKET SERVICES Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 FDA Aerospace Solutions ...... MRO35 Spire Flight Solutions ...... MRO40 K&H Industries ...... MRO37 ENGINES/ENGINE SYSTEMS PDQ Airspares LTD ...... MRO39 AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Advanced Inspection Technologies, Inc . . . . . MRO33 BAE Systems ...... MRO34 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Northeast Aero PAINT Compressor Corp (NEACO) ...... MRO39 King Aerospace ...... MRO37 AIRPORT EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Socomore ...... MRO40 Terre Haute Regional Airport ...... MRO41 PAINTINGS/COATINGS FUEL/LUBRICANTS Accudraft Paint Booths ...... MRO33 AIRFRAMES Genesis ...... MRO36 IPG ...... MRO37 Aersale ...... MRO33 Sandstorm Coating Technologies ...... MRO40 Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT Socomore ...... MRO40 Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 A VIRTUAL EVENT CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 HANGERS & EQUIPMENT PARTS Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 Accudraft Paint Booths ...... MRO33 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 AUGUST 25-26, 2020 Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Mid-State Aerospace, Inc ...... MRO38 AIRFRAME AND ENGINE PARTS SUPPLIER HARDWARE PARTS MANUFACTURER 1:00 PM EDT Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 Teledyne Controls ...... MRO41 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35

APU AND ENGINE LEASING AVAILABLE HEAT COATING/BRAZING SAFETY/EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 Accudraft Paint Booths ...... MRO33 Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 Designed for leaders and decision-makers from OEMs to ASSET MANAGEMENT HYDRAULICS/PNEUMATICS SERVICES Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 Curtiss-Wright ...... MRO35 BHC, Inc - Brulin ...... MRO34 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 Genesis ...... MRO36 Cribmaster ...... MRO35 Suppliers in the Aerospace Manufacturing Industry Southern California Logistics Airport ...... MRO40 DNV GL Business Assurance USA, Inc . . . . MRO35 IFE Genesis ...... MRO36 AVIONICS/INSTRUMENTS King Aerospace ...... MRO37 Mastermelt - Conecsus Aerospace ...... MRO38 The SpeedNews 8th Annual Aerospace Manufacturing Topics focus on key components driving Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 Socomore ...... MRO40 the industry: BAE Systems ...... MRO34 KITTING Southern California Logistics Airport ...... MRO40 Conference will bring together leading manufacturers and suppliers Genesis ...... MRO36 Northern Composites, LLC ...... MRO39 in the aerospace industry to present updates and developments The future of aerospace manufacturing and our Hutchinson Aerospace Services/ SOFTWARE new normal Stop-Choc ...... MRO37 LANDING GEAR/WHEELS/BRAKES Cribmaster ...... MRO35 in manufacturing operations, capabilities and processes, innovation King Aerospace ...... MRO37 Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 FieldLogs ...... MRO36 Operations: Systems integration and agile MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 within manufacturing, modern machining technologies, and manufacturing Pole Air Aviation ...... MRO39 TECHNOLOGY Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 LIGHTING Cribmaster ...... MRO35 industry automation. Next-gen Aerospace: Where and how to place Luminator ...... MRO38 FieldLogs ...... MRO36 bets for 2025 and beyond CABIN INTERIORS/INFLIGHT Teledyne Controls ...... MRO41 ENTERTAINMENT MAINTENANCE Delegates will gain a full understanding of the latest trends, challenges Additive manufacturing in aerospace from a Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 King Aerospace ...... MRO37 TEST EQUIPMENT strategic business perspective Avionic Instruments LLC ...... MRO34 Advanced Inspection and forecasts in the aerospace manufacturing industry, and be provided BAE Systems ...... MRO34 MANUALS/REPAIR/DOCUMENTATION/ Technologies, Inc ...... MRO33 How can companies pivot from the personnel FDA Aerospace Solutions ...... MRO35 RECORDS Uniwest ...... MRO41 with insider knowledge and examples of products that can have Hutchinson Aerospace Services/ FieldLogs ...... MRO36 a direct impact on their own operations and improve their productivity strategies of the past to this new decade? Stop-Choc ...... MRO37 Teledyne Controls ...... MRO41 THIRD PARTY MAINTENANCE King Aerospace ...... MRO37 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 and profitability. MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 MATERIALS Northeast Aero Dallas Aeronautical Services ...... MRO35 Compressor Corp (NEACO) ...... MRO39 Who benefits from attending? CHEMICALS Equipment OEMs, sub-tier manufacturers, Northern Composites, LLC ...... MRO39 MILITARY MAINTENANCE TOOLS & EQUIPMENT Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Accudraft Paint Booths ...... MRO33 material and parts suppliers CLEANING BJG Electronics ...... MRO34 Advanced Inspection Supply chain executives and senior decision BHC, Inc - Brulin ...... MRO34 Curtiss-Wright ...... MRO35 Technologies, Inc ...... MRO33 Socomore ...... MRO40 Hofmann Intelligent Balancing Systems . . . . MRO36 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 WHICH FORMAT IS BETTER FOR… makers Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 The Hiller Companies ...... MRO36 COMPONENTS Mid-State Aerospace, Inc ...... MRO38 A better return on Learning about Learning about trends Strategic planning, marketing executives and Aersale ...... MRO33 MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTING Safetech ...... MRO40 time invested specific topics in the industry business development leaders Avianor Inc ...... MRO34 Preferred Composite Servcies (PCS) . . . . . MRO39 Skylox, Division of Kascar, LLC ...... MRO40 CRJ Series Service Solutions ...... MRO35 Titan Tool Supply, Inc ...... MRO41 Executives in production, operations, research Curtiss-Wright ...... MRO35 MRO Vallen ...... MRO41 & development, technology and engineering Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 Aersale ...... MRO33 MidAmerican Aerospace ...... MRO38 Air Quality Aviation ...... MRO33 TRAINING Northeast Aero BJG Electronics ...... MRO34 DNV GL Business Assurance USA, Inc . . . .MRO35 Compressor Corp (NEACO) ...... MRO39 Flite Components ...... MRO36 Sponsorships Pole Air Aviation ...... MRO39 Genesis ...... MRO36 Sponsorships enable you to promote your brand, Titan Robotics Inc ...... MRO41 Hofmann Intelligent Balancing Systems . . . . MRO36 products and/or services on the expansive Aviation Hutchinson Aerospace Services/ Week Network, and on-site throughout the Conference. CONNECTORS/FASTENERS Stop-Choc ...... MRO37 Customized sponsorships are also available. The earlier Marathonnorco Aerospace ...... MRO38 IPG ...... MRO37 you begin your Sponsorship – the more valuable King Aerospace ...... MRO37 VIRTUAL PHYSICAL EQUAL Source: Informa Customer Research – Digital Events it is! The Aviation Week Network averages more than CONSULTING SERVICES Luminator ...... MRO38 two million page views per month – that’s millions of Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC ...... MRO34 Mid-State Aerospace, Inc ...... MRO38 potential views of your logo if you start today! Pole Air Aviation ...... MRO39 To become a Sponsor contact Joanna Speed, Managing CONSUMABLES/SUPPLIES Polymer Molding, Inc ...... MRO39 Director, A&D Conferences at +1-310-857-7691. K&H Industries ...... MRO37 Sandstorm Coating Technologies ...... MRO40 Socomore ...... MRO40 Register and Learn More at: Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information. 2901 28th Street, Suite 100 • Santa Monica, CA 90405, USA amc.speednews.com Tel: +1-310-857-7691 • Email: [email protected] MRO42 INSIDEMRO AUGUST 2020 AviationWeek.com/MRO Navigate the Road to Recovery with Conﬁ dence

The only solution dedicated to commercial aftermarket professionals, MRO Prospector contains accurate and reliable MRO data and intelligence so you can ﬁ nd new opportunities.

Details on 5,900+ Discover maintenance Research operator’s ﬂ eets contracts covering opportunities, including by tail number, including 37,000 aircraft and component repairs by age, hours, cycles and 80,000 engines. ATA Chapter. lease status.

Visit aviationweek.com/MROP to schedule your demo.

Call 866.857.0148 (within N. America) +1.847.763.9147, or go to aviationweek.com/MROP Showing First Photo, KAI Says Korean fighter. Earlier in the same year, then-President Kim Dae-jung KF-X Is 13% Composite publicly supported the idea. Lee later became program director. Full-scale > THE STRUCTURAL ARRANGEMENT LOOKS CONVENTIONAL development finally was launched at the end of 2015. > THE DEFENSE MINISTRY HAS ORDERED 20 MORE TA-50S South Korea requires 120 KF-Xs. Indonesia, which has been a develop- Kim Minseok Seoul and Bradley Perrett Beijing ment partner but has not always paid its financial share on time, reportedly ighteen years after development Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed wants 50. of a South Korean indigenous Martin F-35, have a metal substruc- The South Korean government so Efighter was proposed publicly, ture beneath the mainly composite far has approved development of only the KF-X finally is taking shape in exterior. However, engineers in Japan a nonstealthy version, but the aircraft material form. Manufacturer Korea are working to provide a mostly com- is shaped for a possible stealthy vari- Aerospace Industries (KAI) has re- posite substructure for that country’s ant for which there is also provision vealed the first photograph of the ini- proposed next fighter, the F-X. for internal weapons carriage. tial KF-X airframe in assembly. KAI did not say whether this air- A technology planning agency within the defense ministry has identified technologies needed for such an upgrade. These include radar-absorbent structure, aerodynamic analysis for a weapons bay, conformal antennas and fly-by-light flight controls. An industry source says Europe- based MBDA is promoting its Ad- vanced Short-Range Air-To-Air Missile (Asraam) for the KF-X, even though the defense ministry chose the rival Diehl IRIS-T weapon in 2017. Another source, who is close enough to the program to know about any such changes, has heard of no plan to use the Asraam. The long-range air-to-air missile for the KF-X will be MBDA’s Meteor. The first KF-X airframe is Approval from Washington to use U.S. shown in assembly. missiles will not be available before KAI the KF-X makes its first flight, which Carbon-fiber reinforced plastic frame was for static test or the first is due in 2022. accounts for 13% of the KF-X weight, prototype. Rollout of the first KF-X Separately, the defense ministry has KAI says. Parts made of the composite is due in April 2021, KAI says. That ordered a second batch of KAI TA-50s, material include the mainplane skins, would be two months earlier than the reportedly totaling 20 aircraft, as lead- flaperons, tailplane, fin, rudder and timing revealed by a program source in fighter trainers. Announcing the or- rear fuselage, KAI says in its compa- last year. That prototype will have a der on June 29, KAI valued it at 688 bil- ny magazine, where it published the working radar, according to the news- lion won ($580 million). The ministry photo graph, that was taken in March. paper Biz Hankook. says it is worth 1 trillion won—a figure Frames are made of metal such as alu- The company says it is using auto- that the Edaily news service says in- minum alloy, KAI says. mated fiber placement for the manu- cludes airframes, engines, simulators The 13% ratio is apparently based on facturing of composite parts. It had and maintenance equipment. the empty weight of the aircraft. Com- asked Lockheed for technology for As is common when South Korea paring it with ratios of other aircraft is this process, but the U.S. company, contracts for defense equipment, nei- difficult because the industry cites var- which is supporting KF-X develop - ther the ministry nor the vendor men- ious measures, including the composite ment, told KAI that intellectual prop- tioned the quantity to be supplied. The fraction of the weight of the airframe erty limitations prohibited transfer Maeil Business and Kyunghyang Shinmun (meaning the empty aircraft minus the of the know-how. Instead, KAI has newspapers say the number is 20. engines ) or of only the structure. applied its own technology. The ADD says it will research up- An official photograph of the incom- The KF-X program originated main- grading the related FA-50 version. It plete first KF-X airframe shows what ly from the advocacy of the defense will consider adding conformal fuel appears to be a normal structure ministry’s technology organization, tanks, a targeting pod, improved based on machined metal frames with the Agency for Defense Development ground-attack capability and beyond- composite panels. Joining of parts is (ADD). An ADD official, Lee Daeyearl, visual-range air-to-air missiles. c conventional. Even fighters with high published a technical paper in 2002 carbon-fiber content, such as the that proposed development of a South —With Graham Warwick in Washington

AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 35 DEFENSE

Pentagon Rethinks Troubled signed by organizations such as Kessel Run, one of the Air Force’s software F-35 Logistics System factories. Kessel Run formed a team called Mad Hatter and tasked it to > NEW LOGISTICS SYSTEM DEVELOPERS WILL ADDRESS USER INPUT build software applications to render F-35 logistics more user-friendly. > LOCKHEED MARTIN OUSTED FROM LEADING F-35 LOGISTICS PROJECT A key complaint about ALIS was the lack of realistic operational require- Lee Hudson Washington ments. In other words, user needs can become outdated. To address he Pentagon is in the early stag- at one location told the GAO they ex- this shortcoming, the JPO partner es of replacing the troubled perienced as many as 400 issues per nations agreed in January to update TLockheed Martin F-35’s auton- week for one six-month period in 2019. a requirements document for ODIN omous logistics system with a new, The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) annually if needed. Instead of crafting cloud-based network, and hopes to get plans to begin installing hardware this a rigid requirements document that it up and running by the end of 2022. September that can run software from will be outdated in 10 years, the new The Operational Data Integrated both the legacy and new systems until strategy calls for updating protocols Network (ODIN) is intended to reduce ODIN is deployed fully. ODIN initial de- based on reality, according to a pro- workload and increase F-35 mission livery is planned for September 2021. gram office maintenance systems -ex readiness rates by using a smaller, de- ODIN hardware is designed to have pert. This strategy complies with the ployable, commercial and cloud-native a 75% smaller footprint than the lega- software acquisition policy of Under architecture. Right now, F-35 users cy system and be approximately 94% Secretary of Defense for Acquisition operate the Autonomic Logistics In- lighter—50 lb. compared with 891 lb. and Sustainment Ellen Lord. It calls formation System (ALIS) that collects Another radical difference between for the users, developers and software inflight information for maintainers to the two systems is F-35 prime contrac- designers to come together and pro- predict part failures. tor Lockheed owns ALIS development duce a customer-centric design as development progresses. The requirements document features six capability needs: deployment planning and execution; unit maintenance planning; sortie gen- LOCKHEED MARTIN eration; sustainment readiness; information management, and ODIN support. The document also includes 43 performance measurements that the JPO will use as metrics to track ODIN development. Beyond better programmatic planning, the Pentagon is facing a considerable obstacle as it transitions from ALIS to ODIN. The JPO is having trouble receiving technical data from Lockheed, Lord told the House Com- mittee on Oversight and Reform. “While the department recognizes industry’s interest in protecting intellectual property, there is technical The Pentagon plans to replace the cumbersome F-35 Autonomic Logistics data that the department has rights System with a new platform that is 94% lighter. to and needs in order to enable effective organic sustainment,” Lord not- However, the problem-plagued and the new network is being devel- ed in written testimony submitted to logistics system has encountered oped by the JPO. the committee. numerous issues that range from The JPO is using agile software In response to Lord’s comments, directing unnecessary maintenance development tools that allow rapid Lockheed noted the company does not actions, taking too long to boot up updates and improvements similar own all the logistics system’s intellec- and time-consuming data entry. For to how Apple updates its iPhones, tual-property and data rights. example, users told the Government while Lockheed employs waterfall “ALIS software is also govern - Accountability Office (GAO) that elec- development that allows for updates ment-owned, per contract require- tronic records are frequently corrupt every 12-18 months. ments with Lockheed, and our sup- or missing, resulting in ALIS signal- In January, the JPO hit its first mile- pliers retaining intellectual property ing the jet should not fly. This occurs stone by moving existing F-35 data and data rights to portions of software in cases where maintainers know the into a new, integrated environment that were developed using industry’s aircraft is safe for flight. Maintainers that will support applications de - investment funds is in accordance

36 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE

Pentagon Rethinks Troubled signed by organizations such as Kessel with the Defense Federal Acquisition ly continuing to issue ALIS software Committee on Oversight and Reform. Run, one of the Air Force’s software Regulations Supplement,” Lockheed patches. ALIS Next provides an op- Over the past five years, the compa- F-35 Logistics System factories. Kessel Run formed a team spokesman Brett Ashworth tells Avi- portunity to reduce the amount of ny has reduced a portion of the F-35’s called Mad Hatter and tasked it to ation Week. administrative personnel needed to operations and sustainment costs by > NEW LOGISTICS SYSTEM DEVELOPERS WILL ADDRESS USER INPUT build software applications to render The Pentagon’s overarching goal support the logistics system’s opera- 38%. Lockheed is responsible for 39% F-35 logistics more user-friendly. is to drive down F-35 sustainment tions in the field. of all F-35 sustainment costs, accord- > LOCKHEED MARTIN OUSTED FROM LEADING F-35 LOGISTICS PROJECT A key complaint about ALIS was the pricing, which is where most of a pro- An important step to lowering ing to Ulmer. lack of realistic operational require- gram’s costs reside. The government the overall F-35 sustainment price The company estimates it will drive Lee Hudson Washington ments. In other words, user needs is still upgrading ALIS, an effort is reducing the cost per flying hour. down controlled cost another 50% in can become outdated. To address known as ALIS Next, before ODIN The goal is for the F-35A conven - the next five years, and it is working he Pentagon is in the early stag- at one location told the GAO they ex- this shortcoming, the JPO partner comes online to manage costs. tional-takeoff-and-landing version, with the government to achieve sim- es of replacing the troubled perienced as many as 400 issues per nations agreed in January to update ALIS Next consists of more regu- the most popular variant, to achieve ilar savings on the remaining 61% of TLockheed Martin F-35’s auton- week for one six-month period in 2019. a requirements document for ODIN lar software updates, instead of the $25,000 by 2025. flight-hour costs that are under the omous logistics system with a new, The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) annually if needed. Instead of crafting program’s current 12-18 month cycle. “We are confident $25,000 is attain- purview of the Defense Department cloud-based network, and hopes to get plans to begin installing hardware this a rigid requirements document that An updated version of ALIS, known able, but it will require collaboration and propulsion suppliers. it up and running by the end of 2022. September that can run software from will be outdated in 10 years, the new as 3.5, is outfitted with 300 stability with the JPO, services, allies and our Although in its infancy, ODIN is The Operational Data Integrated both the legacy and new systems until strategy calls for updating protocols fixes, says F-35 Program Executive industry partners to reduce overall set to be the cornerstone for the next Network (ODIN) is intended to reduce ODIN is deployed fully. ODIN initial de- based on reality, according to a pro- Officer Lt. Gen. Eric Fick. Air Force cost,” Lockheed F-35 Vice President major wave of F-35 sustainment im- workload and increase F-35 mission livery is planned for September 2021. gram office maintenance systems -ex software developers and Lockheed and General Manager Greg Ulmer stat- provements over the next two years readiness rates by using a smaller, de- ODIN hardware is designed to have pert. This strategy complies with the Martin personnel are simultaneous- ed in written testimony to the House as ALIS is retired. c ployable, commercial and cloud-native a 75% smaller footprint than the lega- software acquisition policy of Under architecture. Right now, F-35 users cy system and be approximately 94% Secretary of Defense for Acquisition operate the Autonomic Logistics In- lighter—50 lb. compared with 891 lb. and Sustainment Ellen Lord. It calls formation System (ALIS) that collects Another radical difference between for the users, developers and software inflight information for maintainers to the two systems is F-35 prime contrac- designers to come together and pro- UK Rotorcraft Capabilities Challenged several commercial model AW189 predict part failures. tor Lockheed owns ALIS development duce a customer-centric design as aircraft for search-and-rescue cus- development progresses. by Lack of Local Opportunities tomers including Bristow Helicop- The requirements document fea- ters, which uses it for that mission in tures six capability needs: deploy- > LEONARDO PROPOSES THE AW149 AS UK PUMA REPLACEMENT the UK, and contractor AAR in the ment planning and execution; unit Falkland Islands. maintenance planning; sortie gen- > YEOVIL FACILITY IS CURRENTLY BUILDING AW159 AND AW101 MODELS Whitney says he is hopeful that a de- LOCKHEED MARTIN eration; sustainment readiness; in- cision will be forthcoming on a Puma formation management, and ODIN Tony Osborne London replacement need in the upcoming In- support. The document also includes tegrated Review of the UK’s defense 43 performance measurements that hile Britain’s combat air ca- for the UK’s Boeing Apache fleet was and foreign policy, which is likely to the JPO will use as metrics to track pability has been buoyed by handed to Boeing after the British lead to a shake-up in the UK’s defense ODIN development. Wthe Tempest initiative, there Army decided on the FMS AH-64E, a equipment plans and how those plans Beyond better programmatic plan- is so far little sign of a similar strategy deal announced in 2016. support the defense industry. British ning, the Pentagon is facing a consid- for the country’s helicopter industry. Indeed, only one requirement is in commanders have also been running erable obstacle as it transitions from Since the 1950s, Britain has both the offing, an expected replacement their own review of future battlefield ALIS to ODIN. The JPO is having domestically and jointly developed ro- for the UK Royal Air Force’s Puma helicopter needs; that review is ex- trouble receiving technical data from torcraft that achieved export success fleet, a type which has been in front- pected to also include consideration Lockheed, Lord told the House Com- across the world. line service for 50 years. of a high-speed platform similar to mittee on Oversight and Reform. Leonardo Helicopters, which inher- “We see an opportunity with those under development through the “While the department recognizes ited the legacy of Westland through its the Puma replacement,” says Nick U.S. Future Vertical Lift initiative, on industry’s interest in protecting in- takeover in 2004, has continued that Whitney, managing director of which the UK is an observer. tellectual property, there is technical success but says it needs movement Leonardo Helicopters in the UK, “COVID has shone a spotlight on The Pentagon plans to replace the cumbersome F-35 Autonomic Logistics data that the department has rights on new UK government programs to who took the helm in May. “The risk the aerospace industry,” Whitney System with a new platform that is 94% lighter. to and needs in order to enable effec- ensure a positive future. is the situation post-COVID and if says. “It is recognized that we employ tive organic sustainment,” Lord not- The company’s facility in Yeovil, En- they choose to extend the service life critical, highly skilled, capable people However, the problem-plagued and the new network is being devel- ed in written testimony submitted to gland, builds the AW159 Wildcat naval of the aircraft.” and an end-to-end capability. That logistics system has encountered oped by the JPO. the committee. helicopter and the three-engine AW101 Leonardo plans to offer the 8-metric- is something the government should numerous issues that range from The JPO is using agile software In response to Lord’s comments, transport rotorcraft—called the Merlin ton AW149 platform as a potential value when you consider the prosper- directing unnecessary maintenance development tools that allow rapid Lockheed noted the company does not in UK service—and performs upgrades replacement, proposing to build the ity we add.” actions, taking too long to boot up updates and improvements similar own all the logistics system’s intellec- for both domestic and international aircraft at Yeovil for UK requirements. He notes that British Prime Minis- and time-consuming data entry. For to how Apple updates its iPhones, tual-property and data rights. customers. Orders for the two UK-built “Helicopter design and development ter Boris Johnson recently called for example, users told the Government while Lockheed employs waterfall “ALIS software is also govern - helicopters have diminished in recent is a capability we should look to try and an infrastructure revolution, asking Accountability Office (GAO) that elec- development that allows for updates ment-owned, per contract require- years, however, particularly facing stiff keep in the UK,” Whitney says. “Tak- the country to “build, build, build.” tronic records are frequently corrupt every 12-18 months. ments with Lockheed, and our sup- competition from U.S. Foreign Military ing the AW149 into the ORBAT [order “Let’s build helicopters would be my or missing, resulting in ALIS signal- In January, the JPO hit its first mile- pliers retaining intellectual property Sales (FMS) and platforms such as the of battle inventory] would be a good answer,” Whitney says. There is also ing the jet should not fly. This occurs stone by moving existing F-35 data and data rights to portions of software NHIndustries NH90. Furthermore, op- opportunity for export,” he insists. optimism about progress on the devel- in cases where maintainers know the into a new, integrated environment that were developed using industry’s portunities from the UK military have Yeovil already has experience with opment of a potential rotary-wing un- aircraft is safe for flight. Maintainers that will support applications de - investment funds is in accordance become less frequent; the upgrade the platform: The facility assembled manned aircraft system, but Whitney

36 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 37 DEFENSE

says that movement is not happening will acquire a second batch, and the also support efforts to upgrade Can- as fast as the company would like. helicopter is being proposed to meet ada’s CH-149 Cormorant search-and- Although the Wildcat has already requirements in other undisclosed rescue helicopter fleet, and Whitney found customers in the Philippines and countries. Meanwhile, work is also sees opportunities to upgrade the South Korea, the aircraft is facing stiff continuing on production of the last fleets operated by Denmark and Por- competition from the Sikorsky MH-60 four of 16 AW101s destined for the tugal in the coming years. Seahawk and the NH90 (of which Royal Norwegian Air Force, which “A lot of exports are on the back of Leonardo is a member of the manufac- has acquired the type for search-and- Royal Air Force and Royal Navy use,” turing consortium). “A Wildcat order rescue duties. And the first two of four Whitney says. “The UK is seen as a is one [on which] I would like to see anti-submarine warfare-configured reference customer, and customers progress,” Whitney says. AW101s for Poland are now well into want to have a Tier 1 product used by He is optimistic that South Korea their production process. Yeovil will a Tier 1 nation,” he adds. c

Trials Adapting Wildcat for Future Battlefield

THE BRITISH ARMY IS TO EXPERIMENT WITH FITTING THE LEONARDO HELICOPTERS radar that equips the Royal Navy’s Leonardo AW159 Wildcat shipboard helicopters for use over land battlefields. The trials, planned for later this year, are in recognition of the Nick Whitney, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters in the UK. need to provide a greater standoff intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability for the rotorcraft, particularly as the UK Army Air Corps gears up for operations in a more contested land environment. The addition of a radar is one of several new capabilities under consideration for the helicopter, including manned-unmanned teaming. The British Army is to test the Seaspray radar carried by The British Armed Forces operate two versions of the Navy Wildcats as a potential sensor for tactical ISR on land. twin-engine Wildcat: the Battlefield Light Utility Heli copter and the Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft. and flight profiles” to allow the radar-fitted Wildcat to operate The models are virtually identical: Each is equipped with an with Apaches in so-called Attack Reconnaissance Teams, the electro-optical (EO) camera atop the nose. The naval version is officials say. The Army will find particular benefit from the radar’s equipped with the Leonardo-produced Seaspray 7400E active, moving-target indicator and synthetic-aperture imaging modes. electronically scanned array radar underneath and will soon be “Vehicles do not have to be moving very fast for the radar armed with a new lightweight guided missile, the Thales Sea to notice them,” explains Neale “Stan” Hargreaves, operational Martlet, and a new anti-ship missile, the MBDA Sea Venom. capability manager for ISR radar systems at Leonardo. “The Under the skin, both versions of the Wildcat are equipped radar can then be used to cue the optics to find something, with the same tactical processor, allowing for the installation of rather than using the EO device and its narrow field of view.” new sensors. The Army aircraft also features cockpit switching “Adding the radar would be a significant boost for the Wild- that is ready for radar fitment, the idea being that Army Wild- cat’s tactical ISR capability,” Hargreaves says. Such an upgrade cats could supplement the Naval Wildcat force and vice versa, should have a “big appeal,” Wharmby adds, with no risk as the should it be required. Although they have two different roles, the radar integrated into the naval aircraft. There is no need for more Army and Navy Wildcat communities are closely intertwined, testing, and the training systems and courses already exist. and Army pilots will have got an idea of the radar’s capabilities The Army says the transfer of the Navy aircraft to the Army from their Navy colleagues. will take place later this year; the trial sorties are expected to “Installation of the radar immediately provides an all-weath- take place later this year over the Salisbury Plain in England. er capability and allows you to get into theater even in instru- Leonardo is continuing to develop the Wildcat as it pushes ment-flight-rules conditions,” says Nick Wharmby, senior test for more export orders. A key area of development has been pilot at Leonardo and a British Army reservist pilot. “By com- the aircraft’s Digital Automatic Flight-Control System (DAFCS), parison the Apache [Longbow] radar is very short range for which equips the Wildcats exported to South Korea and the static and moving targets. Seaspray gives you much more ad- Philippines. The UK, as a cost-saving measure, has not in- vance warning.” stalled the DAFCS; instead, it is reusing the AFCS from the Lynx The British Army says the trials will build on “previous ex- helicopters that the Wildcat replaced. perimentation” in synthetic and live-environments missions. For Leonardo sees the DAFCS as an enabler for the enhanced the trials, the Royal Navy will allocate aircraft to the Army, “to tactical ISR mission because the system can take on some deepen understanding and expand the scope of the [previous] of the crew workload, freeing them to use the sensors or trials,” Army officials say. The aim is to then develop “tactics manned-unmanned teaming systems. c

38 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST DEFENSE says that movement is not happening will acquire a second batch, and the also support efforts to upgrade Can- as fast as the company would like. helicopter is being proposed to meet ada’s CH-149 Cormorant search-and- Although the Wildcat has already requirements in other undisclosed rescue helicopter fleet, and Whitney found customers in the Philippines and countries. Meanwhile, work is also sees opportunities to upgrade the South Korea, the aircraft is facing stiff continuing on production of the last fleets operated by Denmark and Por- competition from the Sikorsky MH-60 four of 16 AW101s destined for the tugal in the coming years. Seahawk and the NH90 (of which Royal Norwegian Air Force, which “A lot of exports are on the back of Leonardo is a member of the manufac- has acquired the type for search-and- Royal Air Force and Royal Navy use,” turing consortium). “A Wildcat order rescue duties. And the first two of four Whitney says. “The UK is seen as a is one [on which] I would like to see anti-submarine warfare-configured reference customer, and customers progress,” Whitney says. AW101s for Poland are now well into want to have a Tier 1 product used by He is optimistic that South Korea their production process. Yeovil will a Tier 1 nation,” he adds. c

Trials Adapting Wildcat for Future Battlefield

THE BRITISH ARMY IS TO EXPERIMENT WITH FITTING THE LEONARDO HELICOPTERS radar that equips the Royal Navy’s Leonardo AW159 Wildcat shipboard helicopters for use over land battlefields. The trials, planned for later this year, are in recognition of the Nick Whitney, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters in the UK. need to provide a greater standoff intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability for the rotorcraft, particularly as the UK Army Air Corps gears up for operations in a more contested land environment. The addition of a radar is one of several new capabilities under consideration for the helicopter, Unparalleled Recruitment Opportunity: including manned-unmanned teaming. The British Army is to test the Seaspray radar carried by The British Armed Forces operate two versions of the Navy Wildcats as a potential sensor for tactical ISR on land. twin-engine Wildcat: the Battlefield Light Utility Heli copter and Sponsor The Next Generation of the Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft. and flight profiles” to allow the radar-fitted Wildcat to operate The models are virtually identical: Each is equipped with an with Apaches in so-called Attack Reconnaissance Teams, the A&D Leaders electro-optical (EO) camera atop the nose. The naval version is officials say. The Army will find particular benefit from the radar’s equipped with the Leonardo-produced Seaspray 7400E active, moving-target indicator and synthetic-aperture imaging modes. electronically scanned array radar underneath and will soon be “Vehicles do not have to be moving very fast for the radar The future of A&D depends on tomorrow’s technology leaders: The 20 Twenties. armed with a new lightweight guided missile, the Thales Sea to notice them,” explains Neale “Stan” Hargreaves, operational Martlet, and a new anti-ship missile, the MBDA Sea Venom. capability manager for ISR radar systems at Leonardo. “The A sponsorship gives your company a competitive advantage — radar can then be used to cue the optics to find something, Under the skin, both versions of the Wildcat are equipped the ability to hire the best of the best! Who are the with the same tactical processor, allowing for the installation of rather than using the EO device and its narrow field of view.” new sensors. The Army aircraft also features cockpit switching “Adding the radar would be a significant boost for the Wild- By supporting tomorrow’s leaders, you’ll receive widespread 20 Twenties? that is ready for radar fitment, the idea being that Army Wild- cat’s tactical ISR capability,” Hargreaves says. Such an upgrade recognition throughout the industry and direct access to these Every year prominent cats could supplement the Naval Wildcat force and vice versa, should have a “big appeal,” Wharmby adds, with no risk as the rising stars. universities nominate their radar integrated into the naval aircraft. There is no need for more should it be required. Although they have two different roles, the BONUS - Laureate Program Exposure: top students for the Army and Navy Wildcat communities are closely intertwined, testing, and the training systems and courses already exist. 20 Twenties program, and Army pilots will have got an idea of the radar’s capabilities The Army says the transfer of the Navy aircraft to the Army Sponsors and 20 Twenties winners are recognized at the will take place later this year; the trial sorties are expected to Laureate Awards! which was established by from their Navy colleagues. Aviation Week Network “Installation of the radar immediately provides an all-weath- take place later this year over the Salisbury Plain in England. Learn how you can sponsor the class of 2021! the er capability and allows you to get into theater even in instru- Leonardo is continuing to develop the Wildcat as it pushes in 2013 to recognize and ment-flight-rules conditions,” says Nick Wharmby, senior test for more export orders. A key area of development has been Joanna Speed cultivate the next generation pilot at Leonardo and a British Army reservist pilot. “By com- the aircraft’s Digital Automatic Flight-Control System (DAFCS), Managing Director, A&D and SpeedNews Conferences of aerospace and defense parison the Apache [Longbow] radar is very short range for which equips the Wildcats exported to South Korea and the +1-310-857-7691 leaders. static and moving targets. Seaspray gives you much more ad- Philippines. The UK, as a cost-saving measure, has not in- [email protected] Learn more about the vance warning.” stalled the DAFCS; instead, it is reusing the AFCS from the Lynx 20 Twenties Class of 2020: The British Army says the trials will build on “previous ex- helicopters that the Wildcat replaced. For additional information on the program, visit aviationweek.com/20TwentiesWinners perimentation” in synthetic and live-environments missions. For Leonardo sees the DAFCS as an enabler for the enhanced aviationweek.com/20Twenties the trials, the Royal Navy will allocate aircraft to the Army, “to tactical ISR mission because the system can take on some deepen understanding and expand the scope of the [previous] of the crew workload, freeing them to use the sensors or trials,” Army officials say. The aim is to then develop “tactics manned-unmanned teaming systems. c In Association With:

38 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SPACE > Mars-bound missions p. 42 South Korea launch capacity p. 45 U.S. military launch contractors p. 46 A ‘ROCK SOLID’ DEBUT > SUCCESSFUL CREWED FLIGHT TEST SETS STAGE FOR SPACEX TAXI RIDES TO ISS

NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley (left) and Robert Behnken (second from right) prepared to depart their helicopter at NAS Pensacola following splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico on Aug. 2. hoisted by crane aboard SpaceX’s GO Navigator recovery ship. The operation was slightly delayed while the U.S. Coast Guard cleared away dozens of recreational boaters that swarmed in after splashdown for a closer look at the capsule bobbing gently in the water. NASA and SpaceX later said they plan to step up patrols and enforcement of splashdown safety zones for future missions. Demo-2’s return was the

BILL INGALLS/NASA PHOTOS first time a crewed spaceship landed at sea since the final Apollo flight in 1975. Irene Klotz Cape Canaveral The capsule departed the ISS at 7:35 p.m. EDT on Aug. 1, beginning itting side by side in the front row of SpaceX’s flight a 19-hr. journey back to Earth. With control room in Hawthorne, California, Elon Musk and the weather looking good for landing, Gwynne Shotwell, the company’s top executives, kept a Dragon jettisoned its unpressurized trunk section, exposing a carbon ab- Swary eye on radio signals coming down from the Crew lative heat shield to bear the brunt of Dragon capsule as it plunged through the atmosphere, carrying the reentry heating. people home from orbit for the first time. Four Draco thrusters fired for 11 min. 22 sec., slowing Dragon’s 17,500-mph The Aug. 2 reentry, parachute de- tle ISS crew-rotation mission from the speed to allow Earth’s gravity to pull scent and splashdown in the Gulf of U.S. in late September. it back into the atmosphere. Mexico were the final steps of a 64- “The vehicle performed exactly “Once we descended a little bit into day demonstration mission that had how it was supposed to,” Demo-2 the atmosphere, Dragon really came unfolded flawlessly—from launch on Spacecraft Cmdr. Douglas Hurley alive,” Behnken told reporters. “It May 30 to rendezvous and docking at said during a post-landing press con- started to fire thrusters and keep us the International Space Station (ISS) ference on Aug. 4. “Honestly, from pointed in the appropriate direction. a day later and two months in orbit start to finish, all the way, there were The atmosphere starts to make noise. attached to the front of the labora - really no surprises.” You can hear that rumble outside the tory’s Harmony node. The last crew Two days earlier, Hurley and crew- to use that port were the STS-135 mate Robert Behnken landed in flat astronauts on the final space shuttle seas and 2-mph winds 39 mi. off the mission nine years ago. coast of Pensacola, Florida, at 2:48 NASA hired SpaceX and Boeing in p.m. EDT. The site was one of seven 2014 to develop and operate privately potential landing zones and the far- owned space taxis that could ferry thest from Hurricane Isaias, which crews to and from the ISS after the was skirting along the peninsula’s shuttles were retired, alleviating de- Atlantic shoreline. pendence on Russia for launch services. “On behalf of the SpaceX and It took three years longer than ex- NASA teams, welcome back to plan- pected, but with the completion of et Earth,” radioed SpaceX space - SpaceX’s Demonstration Mission-2 craft communicator Mike Heiman. (Demo-2) mission on Aug. 2, NASA “Thanks for flying SpaceX.” is aiming to certify the Crew Dragon The capsule, charred from its 3,500F system and launch the first post-shut- plunge through the atmosphere, was

40 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SPACE > Mars-bound missions p. 42 South Korea launch capacity p. 45 U.S. military launch contractors p. 46

water at 16 mph. It was immediately First on the agency’s agenda, how- approached by a pair of fast boats ever, is completing Crew Dragon cer- dispatched from SpaceX’s recovery tification and launching the four-mem- ship—as well as an unexpected horde ber SpaceX Crew-1 cadre to the ISS, A ‘ROCK SOLID’ DEBUT of spectators. hopefully before the current station SUCCESSFUL CREWED FLIGHT TEST SETS STAGE FOR SPACEX TAXI RIDES TO ISS “Splashdown was an enormous crew returns to Earth on Oct. 22. > vehicle. You feel a little bit of that relief, but we weren’t done until we Astronauts assigned for SpaceX’s shimmy in your body. . . . We could feel got Bob and Doug out of the capsule,” first operational mission are NASA’s NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley those small rolls and pitches and yaws. Shotwell later told reporters. “It was Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover and (left) and Robert Behnken (second “The thrusters were firing almost a greater relief when I saw Bob and Shannon Walker and the Japan Aero- from right) prepared to depart continuously . . . but it doesn’t sound Doug come out of the capsule—smil- space Exploration Agency’s Soichi No- their helicopter at NAS Pensacola like a machine. It sounds like an ani- ing, thumbs up, looking very cheerful. guchi. The Dragon capsule for Crew-1 following splashdown in the Gulf mal coming through the atmosphere That was a good moment.” is due to ship out from SpaceX’s Haw- of Mexico on Aug. 2. with all the puffs that are happening After a champagne toast, Musk thorne, California, manufacturing facil- from the thrusters and the atmo - hopped on an airplane to greet the ity in August and arrive at the Kennedy hoisted by crane aboard SpaceX’s GO spheric noise,” Behnken said. returning crew in Houston. He then Space Center for launch preparations. Navigator recovery ship. The opera- “We were really comfortable com- headed down to Brownsville, Tex- Liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 is ex- tion was slightly delayed while the U.S. ing through the atmosphere, even as, where another SpaceX team is pected no earlier than late September. Coast Guard cleared away dozens of though it felt like we were inside of an endeavoring to bring Musk’s bigger Meanwhile, NASA’s other crew recreational boaters that swarmed in animal,” he added. dream to fruition: a massive two- transportation service aboard Boeing’s after splashdown for a closer look at Musk, who also serves as SpaceX’s stage, reusable system called Starship CST-100 Starliner is being prepared the capsule bobbing gently in the water. chief engineer, told Aviation Week be- capable of ferrying crews of 100 and for a second uncrewed flight test, ex- NASA and SpaceX later said they fore launch that Crew Dragon’s asym- cargo to and from Mars. pected in November. A crewed flight plan to step up patrols and enforce- metrical shape—four SuperDraco As Behnken and Hurley wrapped test to the ISS would follow in early ment of splashdown safety zones for fu- thruster pods protrude from the ve- up their post-landing press confer- 2021. Boeing encountered software ture missions. Demo-2’s return was the hicle’s outer mold line—could pose a ence, SpaceX technicians were pre- and verification problems during the

BILL INGALLS/NASA PHOTOS first time a crewed spaceship landed at challenge during reentry. It was a high- paring for a low-altitude flight test of Starliner’s orbital debut in December. sea since the final Apollo flight in 1975. stakes moment for NASA and SpaceX, the latest Starship prototype, a 98-ft.- The Demo-2 mission followed a Irene Klotz Cape Canaveral The capsule departed the ISS at which Musk founded 18 years ago with tall, 30-ft.-dia. stainless steel vehicle March 2019 uncrewed flight test of 7:35 p.m. EDT on Aug. 1, beginning the goal of developing technologies to known as SN5. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, an itting side by side in the front row of SpaceX’s flight a 19-hr. journey back to Earth. With expand the human race beyond Earth. A single methane- and liquid-oxy- upgrade of the Dragon cargo ships the control room in Hawthorne, California, Elon Musk and the weather looking good for landing, After nearly 100 launches, Demo-2 was gen-powered Raptor engine ignited company has been flying to the ISS for Gwynne Shotwell, the company’s top executives, kept a Dragon jettisoned its unpressurized SpaceX’s first with people. just before 8 p.m. EDT on Aug. 4, NASA since 2012. trunk section, exposing a carbon ab- “It’s a real tough problem for the ship lifting the silo-shaped vehicle off its “I think that one of the things that Swary eye on radio signals coming down from the Crew lative heat shield to bear the brunt of as it gets into the thicker air to maintain launch platform to a targeted altitude Doug and I would really like everyone Dragon capsule as it plunged through the atmosphere, carrying the reentry heating. perfect attitude and control, [but] the of about 490 ft., then landing a short to take away from our experience is people home from orbit for the first time. Four Draco thrusters fired for 11 min. vehicle was rock solid,” Hurley said. distance away. The 45-sec. hop was that if you do work really hard, you 22 sec., slowing Dragon’s 17,500-mph The descent proved flawless, cul- the first prototype to fly with full-size can accomplish great things,” Behnk- The Aug. 2 reentry, parachute de- tle ISS crew-rotation mission from the speed to allow Earth’s gravity to pull minating with pair of drogue chutes propellant tanks. en said during the crew’s last inflight scent and splashdown in the Gulf of U.S. in late September. it back into the atmosphere. deploying at 18,000 ft., followed by the “Progress is accelerating,” Musk press conference. Mexico were the final steps of a 64- “The vehicle performed exactly “Once we descended a little bit into release of four primary parachutes at wrote on Twitter. “Mars is looking “It wasn’t a short road. It took time day demonstration mission that had how it was supposed to,” Demo-2 the atmosphere, Dragon really came 6,000 ft., which felt “very much like real.” for NASA, SpaceX and the partner- unfolded flawlessly—from launch on Spacecraft Cmdr. Douglas Hurley alive,” Behnken told reporters. “It getting hit in the back of the chair with NASA is making an initial $135 ship as a whole to figure out how to May 30 to rendezvous and docking at said during a post-landing press con- started to fire thrusters and keep us a baseball bat,” Behnken said. “It was million investment in Starship, one of work together [and] how to cooperate the International Space Station (ISS) ference on Aug. 4. “Honestly, from pointed in the appropriate direction. a pretty significant jolt.” three contenders for a human lunar to accomplish the mission that we’ve a day later and two months in orbit start to finish, all the way, there were The atmosphere starts to make noise. The last phase of flight was splash- landing system in development under done,” he said. “Cooperation can lead attached to the front of the labora - really no surprises.” You can hear that rumble outside the down, with the capsule hitting the the Artemis program. to great things.” c tory’s Harmony node. The last crew Two days earlier, Hurley and crew- to use that port were the STS-135 mate Robert Behnken landed in flat astronauts on the final space shuttle seas and 2-mph winds 39 mi. off the SpaceX recovery teams and dozens of recreational boaters mission nine years ago. coast of Pensacola, Florida, at 2:48 approached the Crew Dragon capsule shortly after splashdown. NASA hired SpaceX and Boeing in p.m. EDT. The site was one of seven 2014 to develop and operate privately potential landing zones and the far- owned space taxis that could ferry thest from Hurricane Isaias, which crews to and from the ISS after the was skirting along the peninsula’s shuttles were retired, alleviating de- Atlantic shoreline. pendence on Russia for launch services. “On behalf of the SpaceX and It took three years longer than ex- NASA teams, welcome back to plan- pected, but with the completion of et Earth,” radioed SpaceX space - SpaceX’s Demonstration Mission-2 craft communicator Mike Heiman. (Demo-2) mission on Aug. 2, NASA “Thanks for flying SpaceX.” is aiming to certify the Crew Dragon The capsule, charred from its 3,500F system and launch the first post-shut- plunge through the atmosphere, was

40 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 41 SPACE THREE FOR THE ROAD

> UAE MAKES ITS DEEP-SPACE DEBUT > CHINA ATTEMPTS FIRST SOLO MARS MISSION > NASA’S PERSEVERANCE ROVER TO LOOK FOR SIGNS OF PAST LIFE

BS/HI Irene Klotz Cape Canaveral he road to Mars is littered with accidents, but that local time (5:58 p.m. EDT) on July 20 has not stopped a steady stream of spacecraft from carrying the Hope spacecraft. Built in partnership with U.S. univer- attempting to reach the planet most like Earth in the sities, Hope carries three instruments Solar System for exploration and scientific studies, to study the Martian atmosphere and T climate. It is the fi rst Arab interplane- including the search for extraterrestrial life. tary mission, a daring step considering the region’s limited experience in space. For now, the three-ship entourage “Mars has a multibillion-year his- “President John F. Kennedy’s moon- that set o in July has defi ed the odds, tory recorded on its surface and that shot speech inspired the American with missions led by the United Arab history is not so bizarre that it can’t people to invest in space and space Emirates (UAE), China and the U.S. be understood by using all the prin- exploration, and ultimately land the launching out of Earth orbit to begin ciples that have taught us so much fi rst humans on the Moon,” UAE Am- the seven-month, 300-million-mi. fl ight about the Earth,” says Ken Farley, bassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba to Mars. project scientist for the Mars 2020 said during a launch webcast. The launch window for optimal trav- Perseverance mission. “In 2014 . . . our leadership chal- el between Earth and Mars opens only “Much of that has been done remote- lenged Emirati scientists and engineers once every 26 months. ly already. We can see there is a delta, a to build a space probe and launch it into For the Marsbound trio, the next river channel, a lava fl ow. And when we orbit around Mars in time for our 50th treacherous part of the journey will bring samples back, that will allow us anniversary,” he said. “It makes me so come in February 2021 when the to apply the same sorts of geochemical proud to see friends and colleagues UAE’s Hope and China’s Tianwen-1 and geobiological techniques that we gathered here today six years later to spacecraft attempt to put themselves use to study Earth,” he says. “These watch that dream become reality.” into Mars orbit and NASA’s Persever- missions also are precursors for pro- “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that’s ance rover lands on the planet’s sur- posed human exploration.” a stretch,’” adds NASA Administrator face. If all goes well, 2-3 months later Jim Bridenstine. “What an amazing Tianwen-1 also will dispatch a small A “MOONSHOT” MOMENT job the United Arab Emirates has done lander and rover. The UAE’s $200 million Emirates Mars putting together this mission and get- The fl eet is expected to join eight ro- Mission was fi rst o the launchpad. A ting to this point.” botic probes—fi ve owned by the U.S., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-2A The UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid two by Europe and one by India—cur- rocket lifted off from Japan’s Tane- Space Center partnered with the Uni- rently operating on and around Mars. gashima Space Center at 6:58 a.m. versity of Colorado-Boulder, Arizona

4 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SPACE THREE FOR THE ROAD

> UAE MAKES ITS DEEP-SPACE DEBUT CHINA ATTEMPTS FIRST SOLO MARS MISSION > The UAE’s Hope (left), NASA’S PERSEVERANCE ROVER TO LOOK FOR China’s Tianwen-1 and NASA’s > Perseverance spacecraft launched on SIGNS OF PAST LIFE July 20, July 23 and July 30, respectively.

BS/HI XINHUANET/CNSA ULA Irene Klotz Cape Canaveral he road to Mars is littered with accidents, but that local time (5:58 p.m. EDT) on July 20 State University and the University In addition to technical issues trometer, a magnetometer, ground-pen- has not stopped a steady stream of spacecraft from carrying the Hope spacecraft. of California-Berkeley to design and stemming from the spacecraft’s fast- etrating radar and charged-particle Built in partnership with U.S. univer- build Hope, a 2,976-lb. probe designed track development, the Hope team detectors. Come next February, it will attempting to reach the planet most like Earth in the sities, Hope carries three instruments to spend one Martian year—about two faced logistical hurdles to reach attempt to put itself into an elliptical Solar System for exploration and scientific studies, to study the Martian atmosphere and Earth years—relaying data about the the launch site in Japan amid the polar orbit 165-7,456 mi. above the T climate. It is the fi rst Arab interplane- planet’s daily weather. corona virus pandemic. Martian surface. including the search for extraterrestrial life. tary mission, a daring step considering The primary goal of the mission, After several months of mapping the region’s limited experience in space. however, is more cultural and econom- CHINA GOES IT ALONE the planet, Tianwen-1 is expected to For now, the three-ship entourage “Mars has a multibillion-year his- “President John F. Kennedy’s moon- ic than scientific—to spur Arab youth Three days after Hope’s launch, a Chi- deploy a lander and companion rover that set o in July has defi ed the odds, tory recorded on its surface and that shot speech inspired the American to pursue careers in science, tech- nese Long March 5 rocket lifted off for ground-based studies. The target- with missions led by the United Arab history is not so bizarre that it can’t people to invest in space and space nology and engineering for a post-oil from China’s Wenchang Spacecraft ed landing site is in the Utopia Planitia Emirates (UAE), China and the U.S. be understood by using all the prin- exploration, and ultimately land the economy, says Hope Project Manager Launch Site on Hainan Island with the area of Mars, a northern hemisphere launching out of Earth orbit to begin ciples that have taught us so much fi rst humans on the Moon,” UAE Am- Omran Sharaf. 11,000-lb. Tianwen-1 spacecraft, kick- lava plain where the U.S. Viking 2 the seven-month, 300-million-mi. fl ight about the Earth,” says Ken Farley, bassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba “The objective was basically to use ing off China’s first solo Mars mission. spacecraft touched down in 1976. to Mars. project scientist for the Mars 2020 said during a launch webcast. this mission to cause a disruptive China’s previous small orbiter, Riding on top of the lander is a The launch window for optimal trav- Perseverance mission. “In 2014 . . . our leadership chal- change in the mindset of the youth, to Yinghuo-1, flew as a piggyback payload 530-lb. solar-powered rover, which is el between Earth and Mars opens only “Much of that has been done remote- lenged Emirati scientists and engineers create a research-and-development on the failed Russian Phobos-Grunt designed to operate for about three once every 26 months. ly already. We can see there is a delta, a to build a space probe and launch it into culture to support the creation of an launch in November 2011. This time, months on the planet’s surface. The For the Marsbound trio, the next river channel, a lava fl ow. And when we orbit around Mars in time for our 50th innovative, creative and competitive China handled its own launch, as well rover is outfitted with cameras, radar, treacherous part of the journey will bring samples back, that will allow us anniversary,” he said. “It makes me so knowledge-based economy,” he says. as the development and manufacture a magnetic field detector, meteorology come in February 2021 when the to apply the same sorts of geochemical proud to see friends and colleagues As part of that initiative, the UAE aims of the three-part Tianwen-1 spacecraft, instruments and other sensors. The UAE’s Hope and China’s Tianwen-1 and geobiological techniques that we gathered here today six years later to to have a city on Mars in 100 years. consisting of an orbiter, lander and Tianwen-1 orbiter is to serve as the spacecraft attempt to put themselves use to study Earth,” he says. “These watch that dream become reality.” About an hour after liftoff, Hope rover. Its journey to Mars began with rover’s communications relay to and into Mars orbit and NASA’s Persever- missions also are precursors for pro- “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that’s separated from the H-2A’s upper stage, the Long March 5 launch at 12:41 p.m. from Earth. ance rover lands on the planet’s sur- posed human exploration.” a stretch,’” adds NASA Administrator setting off on a trajectory to leave local time (12:41 a.m. EDT) on July 23. The overall mission objectives in- face. If all goes well, 2-3 months later Jim Bridenstine. “What an amazing Earth’s orbit and begin the 300-mil- “China is on its way to join the clude: mapping the morphology and Tianwen-1 also will dispatch a small A “MOONSHOT” MOMENT job the United Arab Emirates has done lion-mi. journey to Mars. The young community of international scientific geological structure of Mars, investi- lander and rover. The UAE’s $200 million Emirates Mars putting together this mission and get- Emirati flight control team in Dubai explorers at Mars,” Bridenstine wrote gating surface soil characteristics and The fl eet is expected to join eight ro- Mission was fi rst o the launchpad. A ting to this point.” had a brief scare when telemetry ap- on Twitter after the launch. “Safe water-ice distribution, analyzing sur- botic probes—fi ve owned by the U.S., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-2A The UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid peared to show that one of Hope’s two travels Tianwen-1!” face material composition, measuring two by Europe and one by India—cur- rocket lifted off from Japan’s Tane- Space Center partnered with the Uni- solar panels failed to deploy, but the The orbiter is equipped with seven the ionosphere and the characteristics rently operating on and around Mars. gashima Space Center at 6:58 a.m. versity of Colorado-Boulder, Arizona issue was quickly resolved. instruments, including cameras, a spec- of the climate and surface environ-

4 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 43 SPACE

The Emirates Mars Mission Team MBRSC A Mission of Hope WITH THE EMIRATES MARS MISSION, A NEW GENERATION direction of the country,” says Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE state min- of scientists and engineers—younger and with more wom- ister and of head of the foreign affairs’ Office of Public and en—moves into the dynamic, technically challenging realm of Cultural Diplomacy. deep-space exploration. “We are coming to a post-oil era; we know this. We want Only a handful of countries have sent spacecraft beyond Earth to smile as we see the last barrel of oil being shipped out of orbit: Russia, the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and India, plus a our land. What we have here is the attempt to create a new private effort by Israel. On July 20, the United Arab Emirates’ economic direction,” he says. Specifically, the UAE wants to (UAE) Hope spacecraft hit the interplanetary highway, the first use public interest in space to galvanize a future workforce to of three missions attempting to reach Mars in February 2021. pursue the skills needed for a technologically advanced civili- “This goes beyond science. . . . It’s actually to change the zation. The starting point is Hope. c

ment, and observing electromagnetic Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity a technology demonstration called and gravitational fields and the planet’s rover—is due to land on Feb. 18, 2021, MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Re - internal structure. inside a 30-mi.-wide crater that billions source Utilization Experiment) that If successful, China would become of years ago hosted a deep lake, with will attempt to convert carbon dioxide the first country to orbit, land and de- inflow and outflow channels. pulled from the atmosphere into oxy- ploy a rover on Mars during a single Located at about 18 deg. Lat. and 77 gen—a resource that will be needed mission. The country previously landed deg. Long., the crater, called Jezero, for future planned human expeditions two rovers on the Moon, including the contains a well-preserved, fan-shaped to Mars. first touchdown on the lunar far side. delta deposit that orbital imagery The rover also is hosting a piggy- shows is rich with clays, a telltale sign back payload—a softball-size heli- PERSEVERANCE MAKES THREE of water. Water is believed to be key to copter outfitted with four 4-ft.-long, Rounding out the new Martian fleet is the origin and evolution of life. carbon-fiber rotor blades to attempt NASA’s $2.4 billion Perseverance rover, “Curiosity showed very clearly that the first powered flight on another the fifth in an increasingly sophisticat- there are sites with all the criteria re- planet. Intended solely as a technol- ed series of U.S. rovers to assess and quired for life as we know it,” says Far- ogy demonstration, the rotorcraft— characterize potentially habitable en- ley. “I expect that we will find the same named Ingenuity—will attempt up to vironments on Mars. thing at Jezero. All indications from the five powered flights in the thin Martian The spacecraft, also known as orbital data are that when we get there, air, which is less than 1% the density of Mars 2020, launched aboard a Unit- we will confirm that it was a habitable Earth’s atmosphere. ed Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket environment.” In addition to the $2.4 billion rover, at 7:50 a.m. EDT on July 30 from Perseverance is to spend at least NASA plans to spend $300 million for Cape Canaveral AFS. It is NASA’s one Martian year scouting locations rover surface operations during its pri- 14th voyage to Mars since the 1975-82 that not only could have supported mary mission. Designing and building Viking expeditions. microbial life but also retain signs of the 4-lb. helicopter cost $80 million, Ten of those missions were success- its presence. The goal is to cache at with the agency expecting to spend ful, sending back mounting evidence least 30 samples to return to Earth another $5 million for its 30-day test that billions of years ago Mars closely for detailed analysis in a multimission, campaign, consisting of up to five 90- resembled Earth, with a thick atmo- multibillion-dollar, decadelong effort sec. flights on Mars. sphere, warm temperatures, oceans that NASA is developing in partner- “It’s truly an exciting decade ahead and lakes on its surface and—the most ship with the European Space Agency. of us,” says Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA recent discovery—organic carbon Europe’s own life-detection ExoMars associate administrator for science. and habitats capable of supporting rover mission did not make this sum- “The entire world sends missions to microbial life. mer’s launch window. Mars to study and explore.” c The 2,260-lb. Perseverance rover— In addition to a half-dozen science which resembles the still-operational instruments, Perseverance carries —With Bradley Perrett in Beijing

44 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SPACE

Freed of Motor Limit, South Korea bit is implied. But the Hyunmoo 4, which is being developed as a short- Can Lift Launch Capability range ballistic missile, surely would require major modification to achieve KSLV-2 CAN NOW HAVE SOLID-PROPELLANT BOOSTERS such a launch capability. > By agreement with the U.S., South > OPPORTUNITIES WIDEN FOR PRIVATE LAUNCH Korea also accepts limited pay - load-range performance of its ballistic Kim Minseok Seoul and Bradley Perrett Beijing missiles. Until 2017, the maximum was a payload of 500 kg thrown 800 km. The Emirates Mars Mission Team ore and improved South Kore- motors are much preferred for such Since then, there has been no payload

MBRSC an space launchers can be de- weapons, for quick reaction. limit, but the range is still restricted to Mveloped following the remov- For space launch, solid-propellant 800 km. The Hyunmoo 4, test-flown in A Mission of Hope al of a restriction on solid-propellant rockets can be economical if made in March, can hurl 2,000 kg over 800 km. motors agreed upon with the U.S. One large quantities. They are common The U.S. and South Korea are dis- WITH THE EMIRATES MARS MISSION, A NEW GENERATION direction of the country,” says Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE state min- result will be increasing the capability choices for new launch companies. cussing the possibility of removing the of scientists and engineers—younger and with more wom- ister and of head of the foreign affairs’ Office of Public and of the KSLV-2 launcher and undertak- This seems to be why Kim sees new op- range limit as well, according to the en—moves into the dynamic, technically challenging realm of Cultural Diplomacy. ing a fully indigenous mission to the portunities for South Korean industry. deep-space exploration. “We are coming to a post-oil era; we know this. We want Moon, including a lander, according KARI says it will now add four solid- Only a handful of countries have sent spacecraft beyond Earth to smile as we see the last barrel of oil being shipped out of to the Korea Aerospace Research propellant boosters to increase the orbit: Russia, the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and India, plus a our land. What we have here is the attempt to create a new Institute (KARI), which runs the na- performance of its KSLV-2 launcher. tional space program. Another limit, This rocket, with three liquid-propel- private effort by Israel. On July 20, the United Arab Emirates’ economic direction,” he says. Specifically, the UAE wants to lant core stages, is designed to carry (UAE) Hope spacecraft hit the interplanetary highway, the first use public interest in space to galvanize a future workforce to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb.) to a low-inclina- of three missions attempting to reach Mars in February 2021. pursue the skills needed for a technologically advanced civili- tion orbit; it has been due to make its “This goes beyond science. . . . It’s actually to change the zation. The starting point is Hope. c first flight in 2021. With such boosters, the payload of the KSLV-2 could rise to 2,000 kg, says ment, and observing electromagnetic Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity a technology demonstration called Cho Gwang-rae, a former KARI direc- and gravitational fields and the planet’s rover—is due to land on Feb. 18, 2021, MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Re - tor. Depending on launch locations internal structure. inside a 30-mi.-wide crater that billions source Utilization Experiment) that and a rocket’s design, a low-inclination If successful, China would become of years ago hosted a deep lake, with will attempt to convert carbon dioxide launch capability of 2,000 kg could the first country to orbit, land and de- inflow and outflow channels. pulled from the atmosphere into oxy- equate to a payload of about 1,500 kg ploy a rover on Mars during a single Located at about 18 deg. Lat. and 77 gen—a resource that will be needed to a polar orbit, typically used by re- mission. The country previously landed deg. Long., the crater, called Jezero, for future planned human expeditions connaissance satellites. two rovers on the Moon, including the contains a well-preserved, fan-shaped to Mars. The agency also says it will use

first touchdown on the lunar far side. delta deposit that orbital imagery The rover also is hosting a piggy- KARI PHOTOS the boosted KSLV-2 to send a 300-kg shows is rich with clays, a telltale sign back payload—a softball-size heli- KARI’s design for a lunar lander. probe to the Moon. In an official vid- PERSEVERANCE MAKES THREE of water. Water is believed to be key to copter outfitted with four 4-ft.-long, eo, this was shown as a lander, but a Rounding out the new Martian fleet is the origin and evolution of life. carbon-fiber rotor blades to attempt on ballistic missile range, may also be rover was also depicted. A solid-pro- NASA’s $2.4 billion Perseverance rover, “Curiosity showed very clearly that the first powered flight on another removed, local media report. pellant motor will be used as a fourth the fifth in an increasingly sophisticat- there are sites with all the criteria re- planet. Intended solely as a technol- The confirmed change in agreed stage, or kick motor, KARI says. The ogy demonstration, the rotorcraft— agency is already working on sending ed series of U.S. rovers to assess and quired for life as we know it,” says Far- policy ends a restriction on the im- KARI’s lander and solid-propellant characterize potentially habitable en- ley. “I expect that we will find the same named Ingenuity—will attempt up to pulse of solid-propellant motors for a 550-kg orbiting probe to the Moon vironments on Mars. thing at Jezero. All indications from the five powered flights in the thin Martian civil space launchers. This has been in 2022, but the launcher, a SpaceX kick motor in a KSLV-2. The spacecraft, also known as orbital data are that when we get there, air, which is less than 1% the density of 1 million lb.-sec. (4,400 kN-sec.), says Falcon 9, will be foreign. Dong-A Ilbo newspaper. The U.S. is Mars 2020, launched aboard a Unit- we will confirm that it was a habitable Earth’s atmosphere. Kim Hyun-chong, the second deputy South Korea’s first space launch- supportive of South Korean ambitions ed Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket environment.” In addition to the $2.4 billion rover, director of the National Security Of- er, the KSLV-1, had a solid-propellant to have a ballistic missile that can fly at 7:50 a.m. EDT on July 30 from Perseverance is to spend at least NASA plans to spend $300 million for fice, announcing the revision. Drop- second stage. This complied with more than 1,000 km, the paper says. Cape Canaveral AFS. It is NASA’s one Martian year scouting locations rover surface operations during its pri- ping the limit opens the way for South the impulse limit, the Yonhap News This raises the question of why ei- 14th voyage to Mars since the 1975-82 that not only could have supported mary mission. Designing and building Korean companies to develop in the Agency says. ther country should want South Korea Viking expeditions. microbial life but also retain signs of the 4-lb. helicopter cost $80 million, space sector, Kim says, adding that Abolishing the limit on civil motors to have so long a ballistic reach. The Ten of those missions were success- its presence. The goal is to cache at with the agency expecting to spend the country will also be able to launch also opens the possibility of using a answer cannot be to keep South Kore- ful, sending back mounting evidence least 30 samples to return to Earth another $5 million for its 30-day test reconnaissance satellites. current ballistic missile, with impulse an ballistic missiles safely distant from that billions of years ago Mars closely for detailed analysis in a multimission, campaign, consisting of up to five 90- For a rocket, impulse is the total pro- greatly exceeding 1 million lb.-sec., as North Korea, since 1,000 km is enough resembled Earth, with a thick atmo- multibillion-dollar, decadelong effort sec. flights on Mars. pulsive effect of an engine and its fixed a civilian launcher. The most likely for a missile fired from the southern sphere, warm temperatures, oceans that NASA is developing in partner- “It’s truly an exciting decade ahead quantity of propellant; the concept com- candidate would be the Hyunmoo 4. extremity of the peninsula to hit any and lakes on its surface and—the most ship with the European Space Agency. of us,” says Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA bines thrust and duration of operation. Seoul Broadcasting System says the part of North Korea. The only benefit recent discovery—organic carbon Europe’s own life-detection ExoMars associate administrator for science. The reasons for the restriction re- Hyunmoo 4, if used as a space launch- of greater range seems to be bringing and habitats capable of supporting rover mission did not make this sum- “The entire world sends missions to main unstated but were obviously er, could place a 1,500-kg reconnais- more of China within reach. Beijing is microbial life. mer’s launch window. Mars to study and explore.” c part of a U.S. policy to restrain South sance satellite in an orbit of 300 km about 900 km from South Korea. The 2,260-lb. Perseverance rover— In addition to a half-dozen science Korean development of highly capa- (190 mi.) altitude. Since the mission “Hyunmoo” is also spelled as which resembles the still-operational instruments, Perseverance carries —With Bradley Perrett in Beijing ble ballistic missiles. Solid-propellant would be reconnaissance, a polar or- “Hyunmu.” c

44 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 45 SPACE

Incumbents ULA and SpaceX Retain Military Space Launch Business

> SPACE FORCE INTEREST IN COMMERCIAL TECH IS EXPANDING > NSSL PHASE 3 MAY START EARLY

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy has flown three times, including an April 11, 2019, mission (pictured) to deliver the Arabsat-6A communications satellite.

SPACEX Irene Klotz Cape Canaveral and Lee Hudson Washington ith the selection of a pair of RD-180 main engine, manufactured bespoke proposals that addressed space launch contractors, by Russia’s NPO Energomash, has only its needs. WU.S. military and national been banned from purchase after “The Air Force and the Space Force security agencies took another step to 2022 for use on NSSL missions under had the audacity to try to create a buttress development of key technol- trade sanctions stemming from Rus- launch market that could meet com- ogies domestically, while simultane- sia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean mercial launches and also national se- ously leveraging private investments peninsula in 2014. curity ones. That took unprecedented in commercial services, saving billions In addition to weaning U.S. national partnerships between the Air Force of dollars. security launches off of ULA’s Russian and Space Force and commercial The hotly contended National Se- engines, the NSSL competition exem- companies,” Roper says. curity Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 plifies an evolving shift in military ac- “It’s been hugely successful,” he Launch Service Procurement (AW&ST quisition strategy to rely more heavily adds, saving the Defense Department March 23-April 5, p. 58) ended on on commercial products and services. more than $7 billion since 2012. “That Aug. 7 with the Space Force and Na- “There are no new defense primes is the power of this acquisition ap - tional Reconnaissance Office opting coming our way,” says William Roper, proach. That’s the power of creating to retain incumbents United Launch assistant secretary of the Air Force a market that can service us and com- Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX over rival for acquisition, technology and logis- mercial industry.” offerings from Northrop Grumman tics. “We have to find models to blur The military intends to expand the and Blue Origin. the divides between military work and business model, not just into NSSL The firm, fixed-price indefinite- commercial work.” Phase 3 but to other programs such delivery requirement contracts award- At the height of the Cold War, the as the Air Force’s flying car initia- ed to ULA and SpaceX will cover military accounted for more than 80% tive, Agility Prime. The intent is not NSSL medium- and heavy-lift launch of U.S. research and development, only to save money but also to ensure services purchased through fiscal Roper notes. Now that figure is 20%. domestic expertise and production 2024. Collectively, the estimated 32-34 “Most of our opportunities are in com- of key technologies, most notably contracts are worth billions of dollars. mercial enterprise,” he says. “Launch space launch. Under terms of the Phase 2 pro - is a great example of us breaking “This is the beginning of what is gram, 60% of the missions will go to down the barriers and learning to going to be a long-term competi- ULA and 40% to SpaceX. ULA will work in that space.” tion in access to space,” says Roper. use its new Vulcan booster, which is NSSL Phase 2 bidders, for exam- “If we become complacent, then we expected to debut next year, while ple, were required to make sizable in- may have foreign entrants enter our missions assigned to SpaceX will fly vestments in their offerings as well as market. And see what has happened on Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. present commercially viable business to so many other markets birthed in ULA’s current workhorse, the Atlas cases for their launch services. Pre- this country—they move overseas . . . V, is being phased out. The rocket’s viously, the military was content with where there is cheaper labor.”

46 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST SPACE

Incumbents ULA and SpaceX Retain Roper points to the hobbyist drone market, now dominated by China’s DJI Military Space Launch Business Phantoms, which he says is “a security risk for any kind of [Pentagon] use.” He adds: “There’s an example of SPACE FORCE INTEREST > complacency coming back to bite us. IN COMMERCIAL TECH IS Hobbyist drones are one thing. The EXPANDING stakes are way up for launch.” The Air Force paved the way for NSSL PHASE 3 MAY > NSSL Phase 2 with two predecessor START EARLY programs. In early 2016, four com- ALLIANCE LAUNCH UNITED panies—Orbital ATK (now owned by Northrop Grumman), SpaceX, ULA and Aerojet Rocketdyne—won Rocket Propulsion System (RPS) Other Transaction Authority awards intended to build up the industrial The first of two Blue Origin BE-4 engines for a ULA Vulcan rocket fit check base for future medium- and heavy- SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy arrived at the Decatur, Alabama, factory in July. lift launchers. has flown three times, “We realized early on that national ing congressional funding. “There’s no slightly more than the single launch including an April 11, 2019, security missions would require more prohibition on how early we can start on a SpaceX Falcon—presumably a mission (pictured) to [performance] than commercial mis- Phase 3 activities,” says Roper, add- Falcon Heavy, based on the launch deliver the Arabsat-6A sions,” says Roper. “We needed to ing that a Rand Corp. study indicates cost. All three missions are classified communications satellite. work with commercial providers in starting early could provide some and scheduled to launch in 2022. public-private partnerships so that strategic benefits. “I was surprised at that price differ-

SPACEX their launch capabilities would be Another goal of the NSSL program ence—probably as surprised as you Irene Klotz Cape Canaveral and Lee Hudson Washington able to service our needs as well as is to cut costs. An early indication of are—and pleased that Vulcan was in domestic ones.” ULA’s reduced pricing came with the fact on a price basis even more com- ith the selection of a pair of RD-180 main engine, manufactured bespoke proposals that addressed The RPS program was followed award of two Phase 2 launch contracts, petitive than we thought it was when space launch contractors, by Russia’s NPO Energomash, has only its needs. in 2018 with Launch Service we submitted the proposal,” SPACEX WU.S. military and national been banned from purchase after “The Air Force and the Space Force Agreement (LSA) contracts to ULA CEO Tory Bruno tells security agencies took another step to 2022 for use on NSSL missions under had the audacity to try to create a ULA, Northrop Grumman and Aviation Week. buttress development of key technol- trade sanctions stemming from Rus- launch market that could meet com- Blue Origin to design and de- The awarded task orders in- ogies domestically, while simultane- sia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean mercial launches and also national se- velop launch systems that ad- clude the first year of Launch ously leveraging private investments peninsula in 2014. curity ones. That took unprecedented dress the full range of national Service Support, the Space in commercial services, saving billions In addition to weaning U.S. national partnerships between the Air Force security space missions, includ- and Missile Systems Center, of dollars. security launches off of ULA’s Russian and Space Force and commercial ing what Roper calls “stretch” located at Los Angeles AFB, The hotly contended National Se- engines, the NSSL competition exem- companies,” Roper says. missions for the National Re- said in a statement, adding: curity Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 plifies an evolving shift in military ac- “It’s been hugely successful,” he connaissance Office. “The prices for the individual Launch Service Procurement (AW&ST quisition strategy to rely more heavily adds, saving the Defense Department SpaceX filed a lawsuit to missions . . . were proposed by March 23-April 5, p. 58) ended on on commercial products and services. more than $7 billion since 2012. “That challenge the Air Force’s deci- [the] companies as part of the Aug. 7 with the Space Force and Na- “There are no new defense primes is the power of this acquisition ap - sion to bypass its LSA proposal. Phase 2 acquisition.” tional Reconnaissance Office opting coming our way,” says William Roper, proach. That’s the power of creating The company did not say if win- SpaceX did not respond to a to retain incumbents United Launch assistant secretary of the Air Force a market that can service us and com- ning a Phase 2 award for launch request for comment. Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX over rival for acquisition, technology and logis- mercial industry.” services will affect the litigation, This artist’s rendering of SpaceX’s Launch Complex In support of Phase 2, SpaceX offerings from Northrop Grumman tics. “We have to find models to blur The military intends to expand the which is under consideration in 39A at the Kennedy Space Center depicts a proposed has unveiled plans for a movable and Blue Origin. the divides between military work and business model, not just into NSSL U.S. District Court for the Cen- mobile service tower to accommodate the vertical pay- tower at its Falcon launch base The firm, fixed-price indefinite- commercial work.” Phase 3 but to other programs such tral District of California. load integration required by NSSL Phase 2 contracts. at NASA’s Kennedy Space Cen- delivery requirement contracts award- At the height of the Cold War, the as the Air Force’s flying car initia- With the Phase 2 awards, the ter in Florida. The 284-ft. gantry ed to ULA and SpaceX will cover military accounted for more than 80% tive, Agility Prime. The intent is not Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman also announced on Aug. 7. The launch- features 11 floors and doors to shield NSSL medium- and heavy-lift launch of U.S. research and development, only to save money but also to ensure LSA contracts will be terminated at es combined will cost $337 million. Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets services purchased through fiscal Roper notes. Now that figure is 20%. domestic expertise and production some point. “We will work with those SpaceX was awarded its first from rain and wind while providing 2024. Collectively, the estimated 32-34 “Most of our opportunities are in com- of key technologies, most notably two companies to determine the right Phase 2 launch contract as well, a controlled environment in which to contracts are worth billions of dollars. mercial enterprise,” he says. “Launch space launch. point to tie off their work under the priced at a puzzlingly high $316 mil- hoist payloads on top of the vehicles as Under terms of the Phase 2 pro - is a great example of us breaking “This is the beginning of what is LSA agreements,” says Roper. “The lion. The military’s last purchase of a they stand vertically at the pad. gram, 60% of the missions will go to down the barriers and learning to going to be a long-term competi- goal is not to carry them indefinitely. Falcon Heavy, awarded in June 2018 SpaceX currently installs payloads ULA and 40% to SpaceX. ULA will work in that space.” tion in access to space,” says Roper. The point of an LSA was to create a for a classified launch in 2021, was horizontally inside hangars near its use its new Vulcan booster, which is NSSL Phase 2 bidders, for exam- “If we become complacent, then we more competitive environment lead- for $130 million. NASA in February three launchpads. Some of the na - expected to debut next year, while ple, were required to make sizable in- may have foreign entrants enter our ing into Phase 2, which was a full and bought a Falcon Heavy launch for its tional security missions, however, re- missions assigned to SpaceX will fly vestments in their offerings as well as market. And see what has happened open competition.” Psyche asteroid science probe flying quire vertical integration. SpaceX also on Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. present commercially viable business to so many other markets birthed in The LSA termination discussions in 2022 for $117 million. is working to qualify a longer payload ULA’s current workhorse, the Atlas cases for their launch services. Pre- this country—they move overseas . . . could be affected by an initiative to Roper declined to say why two shroud, which likewise is required for V, is being phased out. The rocket’s viously, the military was content with where there is cheaper labor.” start the NSSL Phase 3 early, pend- launches on ULA’s Vulcan will cost only some NSSL missions. c

46 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 47 URBAN AIR MOBILITY GETTING REAL The autonomous EHang 216 has flown passengers over Yuntai, China.

EHANG > CERTIFICATION PROTOTYPES > PLANS FOR PRODUCTION ARE IN FLIGHT TESTING SCALE-UP TAKE SHAPE

Graham Warwick Washington

aircraft is currently able to carry four Vehicles are flying, certification regulations and passengers more than 150 mi. at 200 airspace concepts are firming up, and communities mph on a single charge. Joby will also be the commercial operator of its air- are being engaged and educated as urban air craft under FAA Part 135 regulations. NASA plans to conduct flights mobility moves closer to reality. with Joby in the spring of 2021 under the initial stage of its AAM Na- TESTING VEHICLES unmanned logistics, first responders tional Campaign. The National Cam- The coronavirus pandemic may have and military missions are all in the paign-Development Testing event cooled the hype, but it has not damp- emerging market mix. will be staged at NASA Armstrong ened the enthusiasm in the nascent And the market itself is chang - Flight Research Center in California urban air mobility sector. Testing of ing. UAM is now viewed as just one ahead of the first National Campaign, electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing part of a wider advanced air mobility NC-1, planned for 2022. vehicles is picking up pace, and the (AAM) ecosystem that applies the The National Campaign series is first type certifications and commer- same transformative technologies to intended to support development of cial deliveries could come within the urban, rural and regional transporta- AAM requirements and systems by next three years. tion using electric vertical-, short- and bringing together vehicles, airspace Exacerbated by the COVID-19 cri- conventional-takeoff-and-landing air- service providers and airports through sis, which has made raising funding craft—eVTOL, eSTOL and eCTOL— integrated demonstrations in opera- difficult in the resulting downturn, manned and unmanned. tional scenarios that are key to safely the industry has begun to differentiate In July, eVTOL market leader Joby scaling up commercial operations. into “first-wave” leaders that had their Aviation’s certification prototype Joby in January announced a $590 financing in place when the pandemic was airlifted by helicopter from its million Series C funding round led hit and “second-wave” followers still headquarters in a disused quarry at by carmaker Toyota, taking the total looking for funding or waiting to see Bonny Doon, northwest of Santa Cruz, raised to $720 million. A month earlier, how the market develops. to Fort Hunter Liggett south of San it had become the first eVTOL vehi- As they move through prototyp - Francisco to enable expanded flight cle developer to commit to operate ing to certification, the first-wave testing in the restricted airspace over aircraft in support of Uber’s Elevate companies are fleshing out business the U.S. Army base. aerial ride-sharing initiative. plans that are not all focused on in- The startup is working toward FAA Uber had planned to begin initial ner-city urban air mobility (UAM). Part 23 certification of its all-electric commercial service in 2023, but the Intercity flights, medical deliveries, tiltprop eVTOL by 2023. The piloted novel coronavirus pandemic is be -

48 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST URBAN AIR MOBILITY eVTOL: How Many Players?

lieved to have forced about a six- tages onet Tenology rototye roution month delay, with operation of o Deeloent Deonstration a handful of vehicles in a single roofofconcept: GETTING REAL ngineering city now likely to begin early in oncept design argescale atc or series or certification The autonomous tatus Subscale tests or fullscale production 2024—a time frame supported by prototype EHang 216 has more than one eVTOL developer. demonstrator flown passengers In June, Beta Technologies’ eile Tye over Yuntai, China. engineering prototype was airlifted by helicopter from its base Joby Vectored Thrust itty a in Burlington, Vermont, across ilium Lake Champlain to Plattsburgh International Airport, New York, to begin expanded flight testing over the lake and the Multicopter ang former Strategic Air Command bomber base. eta “We’re actually the only com- Lift + Cruise pany in the industry that has is commercial orders for these itty a aircraft,” Beta founder Kyle Personal Clark told Vermont Public Radio pener (VPR) in July. The startup is being funded by launch customer Cargo oeing EHANG United Therapeutics to develop *Canceled > CERTIFICATION PROTOTYPES > PLANS FOR PRODUCTION its Alia eVTOL initially to deliver ARE IN FLIGHT TESTING SCALE-UP TAKE SHAPE organs for transplants. Aviation Week’s analysis of the Vertical Flight Society’s directory of Beta is now designing the certification prototype. The 6,000-lb. electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing concepts reveals almost 130 com- Graham Warwick Washington lift-plus-cruise Alia is being de- mercial programs had been launched by early August. This excludes signed to carry two people and noncommercial concepts such as academic and amateur projects. aircraft is currently able to carry four a medical payload 250 nm on a Vehicles are flying, certification regulations and passengers more than 150 mi. at 200 single charge. The next mission airspace concepts are firming up, and communities mph on a single charge. Joby will also will be cargo delivery, Clark told be the commercial operator of its air- VPR. The Alia can seat six peo- Which eVTOL Design Will Win? are being engaged and educated as urban air craft under FAA Part 135 regulations. ple, but air taxi flights are fur- Still immature, the eVTOL market has yet to settle on any preferred con- NASA plans to conduct flights ther off, he said. figuration. The drone-style multicopter remains the most popular among mobility moves closer to reality. with Joby in the spring of 2021 un- In May, Beta and Joby became der the initial stage of its AAM Na- the first eVTOL developers to eVTOL designs, but more-efficient vehicles that combine rotorborne ver- TESTING VEHICLES unmanned logistics, first responders tional Campaign. The National Cam- progress to the third stage of the tical flight with wingborne cruise flight for increased speed and range are The coronavirus pandemic may have and military missions are all in the paign-Development Testing event U.S. Air Force Agility Prime pro- gaining ground. Among those designs, the leading configurations are: cooled the hype, but it has not damp- emerging market mix. will be staged at NASA Armstrong gram’s “initial capabilities open- ened the enthusiasm in the nascent And the market itself is chang - Flight Research Center in California ing.” Agility Prime is intended to urban air mobility sector. Testing of ing. UAM is now viewed as just one ahead of the first National Campaign, help accelerate FAA certification electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing part of a wider advanced air mobility NC-1, planned for 2022. and identify early Pentagon pro- vehicles is picking up pace, and the (AAM) ecosystem that applies the The National Campaign series is curement opportunities to help first type certifications and commer- same transformative technologies to intended to support development of launch production. 18 11 cial deliveries could come within the urban, rural and regional transporta- AAM requirements and systems by Under Phase 3, the companies next three years. tion using electric vertical-, short- and bringing together vehicles, airspace will supply flight simulators and Exacerbated by the COVID-19 cri- conventional-takeoff-and-landing air- service providers and airports through test data to help the Air Force Tiltducts Tiltwings sis, which has made raising funding craft—eVTOL, eSTOL and eCTOL— integrated demonstrations in opera- determine the capabilities and difficult in the resulting downturn, manned and unmanned. tional scenarios that are key to safely potential missions for their the industry has begun to differentiate In July, eVTOL market leader Joby scaling up commercial operations. eVTOLs. Contracts for proto- into “first-wave” leaders that had their Aviation’s certification prototype Joby in January announced a $590 types and production aircraft financing in place when the pandemic was airlifted by helicopter from its million Series C funding round led could follow. Clark says the goal hit and “second-wave” followers still headquarters in a disused quarry at by carmaker Toyota, taking the total is to deliver the simulators this 10 looking for funding or waiting to see Bonny Doon, northwest of Santa Cruz, raised to $720 million. A month earlier, year and aircraft by 2023. how the market develops. to Fort Hunter Liggett south of San it had become the first eVTOL vehi- In Germany, Volocopter is As they move through prototyp - Francisco to enable expanded flight cle developer to commit to operate continuing to flight-test its Tiltprops 10 ing to certification, the first-wave testing in the restricted airspace over aircraft in support of Uber’s Elevate preseries prototype, the 2X, companies are fleshing out business the U.S. Army base. aerial ride-sharing initiative. and plans to certify the produc- plans that are not all focused on in- The startup is working toward FAA Uber had planned to begin initial tion VoloCity with the European Winged Multicopters ner-city urban air mobility (UAM). Part 23 certification of its all-electric commercial service in 2023, but the Union Aviation Safety Agency Source: Vertical Flight Society/Aviation Week Intercity flights, medical deliveries, tiltprop eVTOL by 2023. The piloted novel coronavirus pandemic is be - (EASA) toward the end of 2022.

48 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 49 URBAN AIR MOBILITY

Beta Technologies is developing the Alia initially for the organ-delivery mission. The 2,800-lb. Cora currently has a range of about 25 mi. plus reserves. The all-electric aircraft has “partial autonomy” and flies a preprogrammed route with a pilot in a ground control station monitoring the flight, says CEO Gary Gysin. Wisk is developing greater levels of autonomy, including collision avoidance and inflight re -

BETA TECHNOLOGIES BETA routing, for when it begins urban services over a congested city in the U.S. The 1,985-lb. multicopter eVTOL is beginning flying in 2019. First flight Greater autonomy will allow multiple designed to carry two people up to of the near-series-standard certifi- eVTOLs to be monitored by a single 22 mi. at 68 mph. cation prototype is expected in late ground operator. Piloted initially, the aircraft will 2022 or early 2023. Initial passenger flights will be op- be operated as a branded service by While most first-wave eVTOL com- erated by Wisk’s New Zealand subsid- Volocopter, which has raised $144 mil- panies are developing air taxis that will iary in a “very contained environment, lion so far. The company is targeting be piloted, at least initially, to simplify meaning we’re going fly in South Is- inner-city air taxi and airport shuttle regulatory approval, two of the leaders land, New Zealand, in a remote area, services initially and has been work- have taken the autonomous, self-piloted and it’s a very prescriptive flightpath, ing with Frankfurt Airport operator route. One, China’s EHang, is also the with predefined emergency landing Fraport on the infrastructure and first to launch production, albeit with- spots,” says Gysin, describing this as operations required. out the formal seal of certification. the “crawl” phase of a crawl-walk-run Fellow German eVTOL developer In May, EHang received approval approach leading to Wisk operating Lilium also plans to operate a branded from the Civil Aviation Administra- aircraft over U.S. cities. service, beginning in 2025, but is tar- tion of China (CAAC) to begin trial Wisk is now on its fifth generation geting a different market. Lilium’s ob- commercial operations of its auton- of eVTOL design and has upgraded jective is to connect city centers with omous air vehicles for unmanned air the Cora to enable airworthiness cer- a high-speed network, arguing there logistics. The 1,320-lb. EHang 216 mul- tification in New Zealand. “Though is little opportunity for time-saving ticopter eVTOL can carry a 440-lb. New Zealand has a different certifi- and little space for vertiports when payload or two passengers. cation process than the U.S., it’s very operating within a city. “Inner-city The Guangzhou-based company rigorous,” says Gysin. “It’s causing us operations are not even desirable,” also has conducted passenger-carry- to improve our internal business op- says CEO Daniel Wiegand. ing demonstrations of the self-piloted erations and all the documentation This market model has driven EHang 216 in the aerial tourism appli- that we need to get certified. So it the company to set eyebrow-raising cation. “The next step is we are going will be a step on the way to doing this performance targets for its Lilium to get to more formal approval from with the FAA.” Jet ducted-fan eVTOL. The five-seat the CAAC for the passenger service,” The Cora began life as one of three aircraft is designed to fly 300 km at says Edward Xu, chief strategy officer. projects at Kitty Hawk, a startup es- 300 kph (185 mi. at 185 mph) so as to The startup is working to develop tablished by Google co-founder Larry connect cities as far apart as possi- logistics, aerial tourism, air taxi and Page and Sebastian Thrun, who led ble and be fast enough to create that special mission markets such as med- Google’s self-driving car team. The time gain. Lilium argues it can connect ical delivery and firefighting for its first was the Flyer single-seat per- those cities at a fraction of the infra- eVTOLs in China, while initially fo- sonal air vehicle. Kitty Hawk built structure cost of high-speed rail. cusing on unmanned logistics interna- more than 100 of these ultralight rec- Wiegand concedes the all-electric tionally. EHang has operating permits reational eVTOLs before terminating aircraft may not achieve its 300-km- to conduct nonpassenger, unmanned the program in June. The second was range target at the outset but expects logistics flight trials with customers the Cora, now transferred to Wisk. battery upgrades every 2-3 years will in Norway and Quebec. The third vehicle, now in flight-test- deliver significant enhancements as Wisk, the joint venture between ing, is the Heaviside high-performance technology matures. “We have to be Boeing and Kitty Hawk, is working single-seat eVTOL. Intended for per- at a minimum 150-180 km at entry to gain approval from the New Zea- sonal air transportation, this aircraft into service to make the business land Civil Aviation Authority to be - has eight tilting props on the foreplane case work, and we will easily beat gin passenger-carrying trials with and forward-swept wing. Kitty Hawk that,” he says. its two-seat self-piloted Cora. The has built about 10 prototypes for flight Lilium is preparing to fly a second eVTOL will be flown commercially testing, initially unmanned for safety, full-scale technology demonstrator. on scheduled aerial tourism flights to says Thrun, adding that the company The first was damaged in a ground understand how customers interact is aiming for FAA Part 23 type certifi- fire during a battery exchange after with a self-flying aircraft. cation in three years.

50 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST URBAN AIR MOBILITY

Beta Technologies is developing the Where the Flyer was a low-perfor- facturers, meanwhile, are taking a tics service using the EHang 216 to Alia initially for the organ-delivery mance “human drone,” Heaviside is wait-and-see attitude to UAM. Bell transport cargo between the ground mission. designed to fly one person at 170-180 and EmbraerX have yet to fly their and a hilltop and the shore and islands mph for 120 mi. plus 10% reserves, with eVTOL demonstrators. Airbus has at a customer site in Taizhou. But it is The 2,800-lb. Cora currently has a a noise level of just 35 dB when flying flown testbeds but, like automaker intended to be expanded to other sites range of about 25 mi. plus reserves. at 1,200 ft. above ground level in cruise Hyundai, is looking at being part of and to passenger flights in China as The all-electric aircraft has “partial mode, says Thrun. Energy usage is 105 the second wave of vehicles entering EHang accumulates operational data. autonomy” and flies a preprogrammed Wh/mi. at 120 mph, compared with service in 2028-30. In Europe, meanwhile, EASA pub- route with a pilot in a ground control 300 Wh/mi. for a Tesla Model 3 elec- “They are taking a wait-and-see lished its Special Condition for VTOL station monitoring the flight, says tric car at 60 mph, he notes. approach,” says Kirsten Bartok Touw, (SC-VTOL) certification framework CEO Gary Gysin. Wisk is developing Fast, efficient and easy to fly, the founder and CEO of AirFinance. “They in July 2019. This established a new greater levels of autonomy, including Heaviside is aimed at commuter, first are waiting for the first-movers, the category for small VTOL aircraft collision avoidance and inflight re - responder and military markets. “I independent companies with access with three or more lift/thrust units.

BETA TECHNOLOGIES BETA routing, for when it begins urban ser- think of this not as a new aircraft to capital, to make the mistakes and This was followed in January 2020 vices over a congested city in the U.S. that might replace helicopters, but as pave the pathway, and then they’re go- with the proposed Special Condi- The 1,985-lb. multicopter eVTOL is beginning flying in 2019. First flight Greater autonomy will allow multiple more of an alternative to cars,” says ing to be just behind them and ready tion for Electric and Hybrid-Electric designed to carry two people up to of the near-series-standard certifi- eVTOLs to be monitored by a single Thrun. “I know that many people are to go once they see that path clear.” Propulsion Systems, which closed for 22 mi. at 68 mph. cation prototype is expected in late ground operator. building five-seaters, and there’s util- She cites the example of Eclipse, the comment in June. The third build- Piloted initially, the aircraft will 2022 or early 2023. Initial passenger flights will be op- ity to five-seaters. We believe that a startup that pioneered the very light ing block was placed in May, when be operated as a branded service by While most first-wave eVTOL com- erated by Wisk’s New Zealand subsid- single-seat[er] is going to be more ver- jet market then failed but paved the EASA released for consultation the Volocopter, which has raised $144 mil- panies are developing air taxis that will iary in a “very contained environment, satile, but it’s an open debate.” way for the Cessna Citation Mustang. first proposed means of compliance lion so far. The company is targeting be piloted, at least initially, to simplify meaning we’re going fly in South Is- As the market evolves, the first- (MOC) with SC-VTOL. inner-city air taxi and airport shuttle regulatory approval, two of the leaders land, New Zealand, in a remote area, wave leaders are now making plans ADVANCING REGULATIONS The proposed MOC cover key cer- services initially and has been work- have taken the autonomous, self-piloted and it’s a very prescriptive flightpath, for production. EHang delivered 61 As manufacturers lay their produc- tification requirements such as the ing with Frankfurt Airport operator route. One, China’s EHang, is also the with predefined emergency landing eVTOLs in 2019, its first year of pro- tion plans, regulators are getting their structural design envelope, flight load Fraport on the infrastructure and first to launch production, albeit with- spots,” says Gysin, describing this as duction, but had only delivered “about certification ducks in a row. But so far, conditions, crashworthiness, capa- operations required. out the formal seal of certification. the “crawl” phase of a crawl-walk-run 20” by mid-2020 because of disrup- they are not all lined up in the same bility after bird impact, design of fly- Fellow German eVTOL developer In May, EHang received approval approach leading to Wisk operating tion caused by COVID-19, Xu says. harmonized row, which is a concern by-wire systems, safety assessment Lilium also plans to operate a branded from the Civil Aviation Administra- aircraft over U.S. cities. Customers include a hotel that pur- for the eVTOL industry. process, lightning protection and service, beginning in 2025, but is tar- tion of China (CAAC) to begin trial Wisk is now on its fifth generation chased 20 EHang 216s for aerial sight- In China, the CAAC has moved out minimum handling-qualities rating, geting a different market. Lilium’s ob- commercial operations of its auton- of eVTOL design and has upgraded seeing. EHang is expanding its facility quickly with an approach based on according to EASA. jective is to connect city centers with omous air vehicles for unmanned air the Cora to enable airworthiness cer- at Yunfu near Guangzhou to increase the Specific Operations Risk Assess- Lilium and Volocopter are both a high-speed network, arguing there logistics. The 1,320-lb. EHang 216 mul- tification in New Zealand. “Though production capacity to an initial 600 ment (SORA) framework developed working to certify their eVTOLs un- is little opportunity for time-saving ticopter eVTOL can carry a 440-lb. New Zealand has a different certifi- units a year beginning early in 2021. WISK and little space for vertiports when payload or two passengers. cation process than the U.S., it’s very Joby is building a manufacturing operating within a city. “Inner-city The Guangzhou-based company rigorous,” says Gysin. “It’s causing us and testing facility in Marina, just out- operations are not even desirable,” also has conducted passenger-carry- to improve our internal business op- side Monterey, California, and plans to says CEO Daniel Wiegand. ing demonstrations of the self-piloted erations and all the documentation draw on major investor Toyota’s ex- This market model has driven EHang 216 in the aerial tourism appli- that we need to get certified. So it pertise in manufacturing, quality and the company to set eyebrow-raising cation. “The next step is we are going will be a step on the way to doing this cost control. Lilium, which has so far performance targets for its Lilium to get to more formal approval from with the FAA.” raised more than $375 million through Jet ducted-fan eVTOL. The five-seat the CAAC for the passenger service,” The Cora began life as one of three incremental funding rounds, has built aircraft is designed to fly 300 km at says Edward Xu, chief strategy officer. projects at Kitty Hawk, a startup es- its serial-production plant in Wessling, 300 kph (185 mi. at 185 mph) so as to The startup is working to develop tablished by Google co-founder Larry Bavaria. Gysin says the seven Coras connect cities as far apart as possi- logistics, aerial tourism, air taxi and Page and Sebastian Thrun, who led now flying were built in Palo Alto, ble and be fast enough to create that special mission markets such as med- Google’s self-driving car team. The California. But production will be in a time gain. Lilium argues it can connect ical delivery and firefighting for its first was the Flyer single-seat per- lower-cost location, likely an existing those cities at a fraction of the infra- eVTOLs in China, while initially fo- sonal air vehicle. Kitty Hawk built Boeing facility. Wisk has resumed Cora flight testing ahead of passenger trials in New Zealand. structure cost of high-speed rail. cusing on unmanned logistics interna- more than 100 of these ultralight rec- Until now, most of the eVTOL start- Wiegand concedes the all-electric tionally. EHang has operating permits reational eVTOLs before terminating ups have developed the key systems for large drones, above 330-lb. gross der SC-VTOL, which establishes an aircraft may not achieve its 300-km- to conduct nonpassenger, unmanned the program in June. The second was internally, but as they look to volume weight, by the multinational Joint Enhanced category for commercial range target at the outset but expects logistics flight trials with customers the Cora, now transferred to Wisk. production there are signs of a more Authorities for Rulemaking on Un- operations that requires the same 10-9 battery upgrades every 2-3 years will in Norway and Quebec. The third vehicle, now in flight-test- conventional supply chain emerging. manned Systems. probability of catastrophic failure as deliver significant enhancements as Wisk, the joint venture between ing, is the Heaviside high-performance Lilium has signed an agreement with It is under this approach that commercial transport aircraft. technology matures. “We have to be Boeing and Kitty Hawk, is working single-seat eVTOL. Intended for per- Toray for the supply of carbon-fiber EHang has received the first approv- In the U.S., the FAA is taking the at a minimum 150-180 km at entry to gain approval from the New Zea- sonal air transportation, this aircraft composite material. Volocopter has al to pilot commercial operations of approach of certifying eVTOLs under into service to make the business land Civil Aviation Authority to be - has eight tilting props on the foreplane tapped Germany’s Diehl Aerospace its autonomous air vehicles, initially existing regulations with special condi- case work, and we will easily beat gin passenger-carrying trials with and forward-swept wing. Kitty Hawk to provide the flight control comput- for aerial logistics. The approval was tions for unique features. The majority that,” he says. its two-seat self-piloted Cora. The has built about 10 prototypes for flight ers for the VoloCity. And Honeywell’s granted based on interim rules for un- of vehicles are being certified under Lilium is preparing to fly a second eVTOL will be flown commercially testing, initially unmanned for safety, new UAM business unit says it will manned aircraft promulgated by the Part 23 Amendment 64, the perfor- full-scale technology demonstrator. on scheduled aerial tourism flights to says Thrun, adding that the company have equipment on the first wave of CAAC in February 2019 and based on mance-based revamp of the rules gov- The first was damaged in a ground understand how customers interact is aiming for FAA Part 23 type certifi- eVTOLs to enter service. the SORA framework. erning general-aviation aircraft that fire during a battery exchange after with a self-flying aircraft. cation in three years. Most of the major aircraft manu- The approval is for a trial air logis- allows the use of industry consensus

50 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 51 URBAN AIR MOBILITY

exchange information with the unmanned aircraft system service suppliers, or USS, supporting UTM airspace. ConOps 1.0 lays out three levels of automation: human-within-the-loop, with an onboard pilot in direct control; human-on-the-loop, with super- visory control and active monitoring; and human-over-the-loop, with pas- sive monitoring by a remote operator who is engaged when required by the Skyports built a prototype mobile vertiport automation. in collaboration with Volocopter. EmbraerX, the market accelerator VOLOCOPTER SKYPORTS VOLOCOPTER within Embraer, has tapped into the standards as the means of compliance. can compete with cars will require Brazilian manufacturer’s air traffic At least six eVTOL aircraft are well increasing autonomy in the vehicle control expertise to develop an ur- along in type certification, Jay Merkle, and automation in the airspace man- ban air traffic management (UATM) head of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft agement system. construct that would bridge the gap Systems Integration Office, said in Jan- In late June, the FAA released the between today’s piloted voice-based uary. COVID-19 halted flight-testing, first version of its UAM Concept of airspace management and a highly but several UAM startups tell Aviation Operations (ConOps 1.0), developed autonomous future. Week they have been able to continue with NASA and industry. The agency UATM is a procedures-based ap- to make progress with certification via foresees three stages of development proach toward airspace design that virtual meetings with FAA officials. beginning with flights under current is built on today’s infrastructure, As the first designs go through rules, progressing to ConOps 1.0 but has the ability to evolve as both revamped standards-based Part 23 operations with piloted vehicles in eVTOLs and air traffic management airworthiness certification, the FAA UAM corridors, and scaling to mature software advance. It is a centralized and industry are working together to high-density operations with automat- system for managing urban air traffic identify other regulatory barriers to ed vehicles and remote operators. that exchanges information with ATM operating these aircraft. This includes Initial low-tempo UAM services will and UTM service suppliers. “UATM looking at how operating rules such as use existing rules and infrastructure provides the procedures and services Part 91 could be made less prescriptive, for helicopter operations. But as the required to scale,” says project leader allowing the industry to take advan- tempo increases the FAA foresees pi- David Rottblatt. tage of increases in autonomy that sim- loted air taxis flying between specific UATM is built on two foundational plify vehicle operations and training. UAM aerodromes via dedicated corri- services: airspace and procedure de- The aircraft certification and flight dors of performance-based airspace. sign and information exchange. And standards services are different offic- Within these corridors, vehicles will it provides four operational services: es within the FAA, which can lead to operate under UAM-specific rules, flight authorization, flow management, a disconnect when it comes to a stan- procedures and performance require- dynamic airspace management and dards-based approach to certification. ments. Below the corridor, “One of our biggest challenges is we under 400 ft., will be un- only control so much of the process on manned traffic management aircraft certification,” says Wes Ryan, (UTM) airspace, and above unmanned and pilotless aircraft tech- that will be airspace that nology lead at the FAA. comes under existing air traf- “We can certify new products on fic management (ATM) rules. the design of the aircraft, and we can Within the UAM corridors, help certify technology that will make cooperative traffic manage- the aircraft easier to fly,” he says. ment will be based on rules “The acceptability of that technology developed by the community and how that automation integrates and approved by the FAA. into the airspace is really something Third-party “providers of ser- the FAA is working on in collabora- vices for UAM,” or PSUs, will tion to solve, and the review of the be used by operators to re- operational rules is one of the first ceive and exchange informa- forays into the question of the impact tion during UAM operations. of automation on the rules.” PSUs will support op - Urban air taxi services are expect- erations planning, flight ed to begin with flights on established intent-sharing, strategic Airbus is relocating CityAirbus helicopter routes using existing pro- and tactical deconfliction, testing to Manching, Germany, cedures. But scaling operations to airspace management and to expand the envelope. volumes that will bring eVTOL costs off-nominal operations. and ticket prices down to levels that These service providers will

52 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST URBAN AIR MOBILITY

G E S exchange information with the un- conformance monitoring. manned aircraft system service suppli- EmbraerX is now collab- ers, or USS, supporting UTM airspace. orating with multiple air

ConOps 1.0 lays out three levels of navigation service provid- C C C automation: human-within-the-loop, ers globally to tailor the with an onboard pilot in direct con- UATM conops to different trol; human-on-the-loop, with super- cities, Rottblatt says. visory control and active monitoring; Embraer also has an and human-over-the-loop, with pas- evolutionary vision for au- 400 ft. Above Ground Level C sive monitoring by a remote operator tonomy. “We envision early C C C who is engaged when required by the commercial operations will Skyports built a prototype mobile vertiport C automation. involve remotely piloted C in collaboration with Volocopter. EmbraerX, the market accelerator aircraft, with an increas- C C VOLOCOPTER SKYPORTS VOLOCOPTER within Embraer, has tapped into the ing level of autonomy but standards as the means of compliance. can compete with cars will require Brazilian manufacturer’s air traffic operating in more remote UAM Corridor Fixed-Wing Aircraft CC Cross-UAM Corridor At least six eVTOL aircraft are well increasing autonomy in the vehicle control expertise to develop an ur- regions with not a lot of Helicopter Aerodrome along in type certification, Jay Merkle, and automation in the airspace man- ban air traffic management (UATM) density of population. This Urban Air Mobility UAM Aircraft head of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft agement system. construct that would bridge the gap would allow us to start Air Trafﬁc Management UTM Aircraft Class B Airport Systems Integration Office, said in Jan- In late June, the FAA released the between today’s piloted voice-based gathering data,” says Dan- Unmanned Aircraft System Trafﬁc Management uary. COVID-19 halted flight-testing, first version of its UAM Concept of airspace management and a highly iel Moczydlower, president Source: FAA but several UAM startups tell Aviation Operations (ConOps 1.0), developed autonomous future. and CEO of EmbraerX. The FAA’s initial conops envisions UAM vehicles flying within airspace corridors. Week they have been able to continue with NASA and industry. The agency UATM is a procedures-based ap- “This type of operation to make progress with certification via foresees three stages of development proach toward airspace design that has already started,” he says, a refer- operations and, in the future, the holy ular vertiport concept that could start virtual meetings with FAA officials. beginning with flights under current is built on today’s infrastructure, ence to EHang and soon Wisk. “The grail of fully autonomous anytime, small but scale up quickly as the mar- As the first designs go through rules, progressing to ConOps 1.0 but has the ability to evolve as both next challenge would be to move to anywhere,” Moczydlower says. ket takes off. In an event likely being revamped standards-based Part 23 operations with piloted vehicles in eVTOLs and air traffic management an autonomous solution—still with repeated around the world, the start- airworthiness certification, the FAA UAM corridors, and scaling to mature software advance. It is a centralized the pilot on board, monitoring and GAINING ACCEPTANCE up in July briefed the Tampa Bay and industry are working together to high-density operations with automat- system for managing urban air traffic interacting with the system—but With certification testing and produc- Area Regional Transit Authority in identify other regulatory barriers to ed vehicles and remote operators. that exchanges information with ATM constrained to a highly structured tion planning underway and regula- Florida, which voted to begin talks to operating these aircraft. This includes Initial low-tempo UAM services will and UTM service suppliers. “UATM operation” of the type enabled by the tions and airspace taking shape, the become a U.S. test site. looking at how operating rules such as use existing rules and infrastructure provides the procedures and services procedures-based UATM. UAM industry is looking to engage In Europe, cities such as Ingolstadt Part 91 could be made less prescriptive, for helicopter operations. But as the required to scale,” says project leader “In the next evolution, there would with communities and identify infra- in Germany and Toulouse in France allowing the industry to take advan- tempo increases the FAA foresees pi- David Rottblatt. be no pilot on board, but still the highly structure ahead of launching com- have initiatives to become UAM test tage of increases in autonomy that sim- loted air taxis flying between specific UATM is built on two foundational structured operation would be there mercial service. sites. Ingolstadt Manching Airfield plify vehicle operations and training. UAM aerodromes via dedicated corri- services: airspace and procedure de- to ensure the level of confidence and With plans to begin flights as ear- hosts a military test center where The aircraft certification and flight dors of performance-based airspace. sign and information exchange. And operational experience that is needed ly as 2022, Volocopter conducted the Airbus will conduct envelope expan- standards services are different offic- Within these corridors, vehicles will it provides four operational services: to safely keep collecting data so we can first urban public demonstrations of sion for its CityAirbus eVTOL demon- es within the FAA, which can lead to operate under UAM-specific rules, flight authorization, flow management, prepare ourselves for the challenges its multicopter eVTOL in September strator after completing the first fully a disconnect when it comes to a stan- procedures and performance require- dynamic airspace management and ahead, which would be less-structured 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in autonomous flight at its Donauworth dards-based approach to certification. ments. Below the corridor, Stuttgart, Germany (Daimler plant at the end of July. “One of our biggest challenges is we under 400 ft., will be un- is an investor). In October In the U.S., the nonprofit Commu- only control so much of the process on manned traffic management 2019, the startup cooperated nity Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) has aircraft certification,” says Wes Ryan, (UTM) airspace, and above with UK company Skyports begun engaging and educating local unmanned and pilotless aircraft tech- that will be airspace that to showcase a prototype ver- agencies. “Metropolitan areas have nology lead at the FAA. comes under existing air traf- tiport on a floating dock in a 10-20-year planning window, and “We can certify new products on fic management (ATM) rules. Singapore’s Marina Bay. for UAM to roll out in the time frame the design of the aircraft, and we can Within the UAM corridors, Volocopter conducted many of the manufacturers are talking help certify technology that will make cooperative traffic manage- unmanned demos of its pro- about, cities have to be incorporating the aircraft easier to fly,” he says. ment will be based on rules totype in Dubai in 2017. In it into their transportation plans now. “The acceptability of that technology developed by the community January, the Dubai Roads That is why it’s so important we ad- and how that automation integrates and approved by the FAA. and Transport Authority dress public acceptance,” says Yolanka into the airspace is really something Third-party “providers of ser- said it was targeting 2022 for Wulff, CAMI co-executive director. the FAA is working on in collabora- vices for UAM,” or PSUs, will the first commercial air taxi Despite the industry’s clear prog- tion to solve, and the review of the be used by operators to re- operation. And in July the ress, caution is required. “Folks who operational rules is one of the first ceive and exchange informa- emirate issued legislation think this is going from zero to 60 forays into the question of the impact tion during UAM operations. supporting the Sky Dome overnight tend to both be much more of automation on the rules.” PSUs will support op - initiative to create a virtual resistant to it and more convinced it Urban air taxi services are expect- erations planning, flight airspace infrastructure for simply won’t work,” says Anna Dietrich, ed to begin with flights on established intent-sharing, strategic Airbus is relocating CityAirbus unmanned aircraft, includ- CAMI co-executive director. “We like helicopter routes using existing pro- and tactical deconfliction, testing to Manching, Germany, ing air taxis. to emphasize the industry is taking a cedures. But scaling operations to airspace management and to expand the envelope. Although Lilium does not crawl, walk, run approach to UAM, volumes that will bring eVTOL costs off-nominal operations. plan to start operations until and that will be important for public and ticket prices down to levels that These service providers will 2025, it has revealed a mod- acceptance.” c AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

52 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 53 MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

Aftermarket Decline Less Than Feared; Discovery database shows. By July 22, the total was down to 6,700, as airlines Recovery Could Be More Daunting slowly added fl ights. But a recent resurgence of COVID-19 > MRO PROVIDERS REPORT 40-50% SECOND-QUARTER REVENUE DECLINE cases in several regions, including the U.S., is disrupting the recovery as trav- > RECOVERY WILL VARY BY AFTERMARKET SEGMENT, WITH el restrictions grow and demand for COMPONENTS LEADING THE WAY travel falls. “We’re going to have to just kind Sean Broderick Washington of see how the quarter evolves,” Adamczyk says. “We had airlines add- eports from commercial after- recover very fast,” he says. “In terms of ing more flights in July and August. market suppliers show the sec- engines, this is a di erent story.” Now, they’ve pulled back their sched- Rtor’s initial slide was less severe While the fi ve MRO categories— air- ules a bit in August. So there’s a lot of than expected but that its recovery frames, engines, components, modifi - moving pieces here, and I think the [air may be prolonged due to continued cations, and line maintenance—will transport] aftermarket component is global airline uncertainty linked to the likely recover at di erent paces, a gen- the toughest one to call.” novel coronavirus pandemic. eral consensus is forming around the Moog has greater exposure on wide- “It’s going to depend on the fi nancial challenge facing the aftermarket as a body aircraft and is fi nding the market health of the airlines, how fast they whole. Data points from several suppli- fl uctuations, including travel restric- see their own recovery,” Safran CEO ers that have reported quarterly earn- tions that hit international, long-haul Philippe Petitcolin says about the lucra- ings suggest an aggregate, year-over- routes, particularly challenging. tive engine services market. “Do they year commercial aftermarket decline “I would have said a quarter ago, we think they will need engines . . . or do of about 50% in the second quarter . were hoping that the fourth quarter they see a very, very slow recovery? In Honeywell’s air transport MRO dip will be better and [ the fi scal 2021 fi rst that case, they can swap engines from of “almost 50%” was “slightly better quarter] would be better again,” Moog one airplane to another one and defer than we expected,” President and CEO CEO John Scannell says. “Right now, a shop visit.” Darius Adamczyk says. Moog report- I’m not sure that I have any grounds to say that. So we’re thinking maybe the fourth [quarter] will be similar to the third. Maybe there’s a little bit of an uptick, but hard to predict at this stage.” While the aggregate fi gures present a broad picture, suppliers and MRO providers are fi nding signifi cant variations within classes of products as well as specifi c models. Pratt reported a second-quarter uptick in PW1000G work, driven by ongoing upgrade programs targeting reliability issues. But normally strong IAE V2500 demand fell 60%, while PW2000 work was The engine MRO market’s recovery down 80%—a direct result of Boeing will depend on how much capacity 757s being parked. airlines need, and how much cash “Obviously, as we think about the they have to maintain their eets. pieces of the aftermarket, some pieces PRATT HITE PRATT are more impacted,” Raytheon CEO Safran is projecting a 50% decline in ed a similar commercial aftermarket Gregory Hayes says. “If I think about commercial engine aftermarket reve- decline for its fi scal third quarter that spare parts, for instance, at Collins nues in 2020. Engine work makes up ended June 27, while Raytheon Tech- Aerospace, which is a key driver of prof- about 40% of global maintenance, re- nologies units Collins Aerospace and itability, that was down almost 75% in pair and overhaul (MRO) spending an- Pratt & Whitney saw second-quarter the quarter. Repair was down like 55%.” nually, making it the largest aftermar- falls of 48% and 51%, respectively. Airlines have been scrambling ket category, and ripe for cost savings . The sharp drop aligned with global to cut costs while riding out the The downturn’s risk to engine services airline capacity reductions that saw COVID-19 pandemic and the related is far greater than for component work more than 50% of the fl eet sidelined at demand slump. The International handled by Safran’s systems and equip- the height of the pandemic. On April Air Transport Association’s (IATA) ment segment, Petitcolin says. 18, 14,200 air transport aircraft, or latest projection sees global revenue “For systems and equipment, if [air- about 54% of the total fl eet, were either passenger-kilometers down 63% for lines] break a part, if they need a part, parked or operating a signifi cantly re- the second half of 2020, compared to they need it right away. So as soon as stricted schedule defi ned as fl ying not the same period in 2019. While main- the traffic recovers, the business for more than two days in the previous sev- tenance spending has been a ected, services in systems and equipment will en, the Aviation Week Network Fleet including a decline in engine shop visit

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

Aftermarket Decline Less Than Feared; Discovery database shows. By July 22, volume, Petitcolin says Safran has not what we were expecting even last smaller and younger,” Herbert writes. the total was down to 6,700, as airlines seen a notable decline in per-shop- visit year,” Petitcolin says. “Based on that, “As a result, we do expect the availabili- Recovery Could Be More Daunting slowly added fl ights. scope, including the value of materials I believe that the airplanes, which are ty of used serviceable material and sur- But a recent resurgence of COVID-19 consumed during an overhaul. flying with our engines, the CFM sec- plus material (excess new material) to > MRO PROVIDERS REPORT 40-50% SECOND-QUARTER REVENUE DECLINE cases in several regions, including the “It does not mean it’s not going to ond-generation, and tomorrow, the substantially increase. However, it ap- U.S., is disrupting the recovery as trav- happen,” he cautions. “If you remem- Leap, will fly more [and] will go back pears for now the industry is in a ‘wait > RECOVERY WILL VARY BY AFTERMARKET SEGMENT, WITH el restrictions grow and demand for ber 2010, [following the Great Reces- to service faster.” and see’ mode while pricing and supply COMPONENTS LEADING THE WAY travel falls. sion], it happened. It is quite early in Results from a Canaccord Genuity demand settle with the new reality.” “We’re going to have to just kind the process because we are just start- survey released July 22 found second- Meanwhile, repair shops are being Sean Broderick Washington of see how the quarter evolves,” ing to receive new engines for shop quarter aftermarket sales were down forced to adjust to the new reality, and Adamczyk says. “We had airlines add- visits for [the third quarter]. . . . So it’s about 40%, and parts purchases de- many may find it more challenging eports from commercial after- recover very fast,” he says. “In terms of ing more flights in July and August. too early to tell.” clined 45% as airlines and repair sta- than their airline customers to scale market suppliers show the sec- engines, this is a di erent story.” Now, they’ve pulled back their sched- CFM International has about 24,000 tions worked down inventory levels. back up. An Aeronautical Repair Sta- Rtor’s initial slide was less severe While the fi ve MRO categories— air- ules a bit in August. So there’s a lot of later-generation CFM56s and Leaps in Sales in the Asia-Pacific region were tion Association (ARSA) survey found than expected but that its recovery frames, engines, components, modifi - moving pieces here, and I think the [air service, 85% of which have seen either down just 10-15%, however, indicating that U.S. repair shops have cut 27% may be prolonged due to continued cations, and line maintenance—will transport] aftermarket component is zero or only one full shop visit, the com- that the region’s airlines are pulling of their staff in 2020. While the 114 global airline uncertainty linked to the likely recover at di erent paces, a gen- the toughest one to call.” pany says. out of the pandemic and spending respondents are a small sample size novel coronavirus pandemic. eral consensus is forming around the Moog has greater exposure on wide- Petitcolin is confident that CFM’s money again. of the 4,700 total U.S. FAA-certified “It’s going to depend on the fi nancial challenge facing the aftermarket as a body aircraft and is fi nding the market place on key narrowbody fleets—in- Survey respondents said the second shops, the roughly one-fourth head- health of the airlines, how fast they whole. Data points from several suppli- fl uctuations, including travel restric- cluding many still-young, previous-gen- half of 2020 will likely see sales down count count reduction corresponds see their own recovery,” Safran CEO ers that have reported quarterly earn- tions that hit international, long-haul eration Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s, 25-30%, “with a slightly better outlook with announced cuts at some major Philippe Petitcolin says about the lucra- ings suggest an aggregate, year-over- routes, particularly challenging. as well as the newest variants, the for MRO sales than parts purchased,” MRO providers, such as GE Aviation. tive engine services market. “Do they year commercial aftermarket decline “I would have said a quarter ago, we A320neo family and the 737 MAX—will Canaccord analyst Ken Herbert writes. The figure could grow if the novel think they will need engines . . . or do of about 50% in the second quarter . were hoping that the fourth quarter help its aftermarket business recover “It is difficult to paint a positive coronavirus pandemic lingers, forcing they see a very, very slow recovery? In Honeywell’s air transport MRO dip will be better and [ the fi scal 2021 fi rst more quickly than the market as a picture for potential [second half of travel restrictions that cut regions off that case, they can swap engines from of “almost 50%” was “slightly better quarter] would be better again,” Moog whole. The latest IATA projections see 2020] MRO sales down ~25%, with from the rest of the world, or, as is the one airplane to another one and defer than we expected,” President and CEO CEO John Scannell says. “Right now, global airline traffic only reaching 2019 parts purchasing down ~30%,” Herbert case in the U.S., for instance, decimates a shop visit.” Darius Adamczyk says. Moog report- I’m not sure that I have any grounds to levels in 2024 or later. In the meantime, adds. “However, relative to some of the normally robust domestic demand. say that. So we’re thinking maybe the airlines will be rightsizing their fleets to more bearish guidance from April-May “Maintenance companies are des- fourth [quarter] will be similar to the match lower demand. as the crisis unfolded, we believe the perate to hold on to the technical talent third. Maybe there’s a little bit of an up- “You will have to fly the current-gen- commercial aftermarket could be a they’ve worked so hard to cultivate,” tick, but hard to predict at this stage.” eration of airplane a lot more because source of upside.” says ARSA Executive Vice President While the aggregate fi gures present most of the airlines have decided to Among the key issues still to be de- Christian Klein. “It’s extremely dis- a broad picture, suppliers and MRO clean their fleet, meaning that the termined is how an expected surge in heartening to watch all these layoffs providers are fi nding signifi cant vari- old airplanes will retire faster than retirements will affect the used service- happen in an industry that just a few ations within classes of products as able material market. months ago was facing severe worker well as specifi c models. Pratt reported Component maintenance is expected “We do continue to believe that as shortages. This massive loss of techni- a second-quarter uptick in PW1000G to rebound more quickly than engine the industry continues to recover from cal talent is going to haunt aviation for work, driven by ongoing upgrade pro- and airframe MRO. the downturn, airline fleets will be years to come.” c grams targeting reliability issues. But normally strong IAE V2500 demand fell 60%, while PW2000 work was The engine MRO market’s recovery down 80%—a direct result of Boeing will depend on how much capacity 757s being parked. airlines need, and how much cash “Obviously, as we think about the they have to maintain their eets. pieces of the aftermarket, some pieces PRATT HITE PRATT are more impacted,” Raytheon CEO Safran is projecting a 50% decline in ed a similar commercial aftermarket Gregory Hayes says. “If I think about commercial engine aftermarket reve- decline for its fi scal third quarter that spare parts, for instance, at Collins nues in 2020. Engine work makes up ended June 27, while Raytheon Tech- Aerospace, which is a key driver of prof- about 40% of global maintenance, re- nologies units Collins Aerospace and itability, that was down almost 75% in pair and overhaul (MRO) spending an- Pratt & Whitney saw second-quarter the quarter. Repair was down like 55%.” nually, making it the largest aftermar- falls of 48% and 51%, respectively. Airlines have been scrambling ket category, and ripe for cost savings . The sharp drop aligned with global to cut costs while riding out the The downturn’s risk to engine services airline capacity reductions that saw COVID-19 pandemic and the related is far greater than for component work more than 50% of the fl eet sidelined at demand slump. The International handled by Safran’s systems and equip- the height of the pandemic. On April Air Transport Association’s (IATA) ment segment, Petitcolin says. 18, 14,200 air transport aircraft, or latest projection sees global revenue

“For systems and equipment, if [air- about 54% of the total fl eet, were either passenger-kilometers down 63% for COLLINS AEROSPACE lines] break a part, if they need a part, parked or operating a signifi cantly re- the second half of 2020, compared to they need it right away. So as soon as stricted schedule defi ned as fl ying not the same period in 2019. While main- the traffic recovers, the business for more than two days in the previous sev- tenance spending has been a ected, services in systems and equipment will en, the Aviation Week Network Fleet including a decline in engine shop visit

5 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 55 UNMANNED AVIATION

The Sun Is Setting on FAA’s of Canberra, Australia, in April 2019. Weeks later, the FAA awarded Wing Drone Partnership Initiative the first Part 135 air-carrier certificate for a drone delivery service in THE UAS IPP SUPPORTED DRONE DELIVERY OPERATIONS the U.S., based on testing the compa- > ny had done with the Virginia Tech > BELL AND CHOCTAW NATION ANNOUNCE TESTING ACCORD Mid- Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) under the UAS IPP. Bill Carey Washington Wing’s hybrid Hummingbird drone, with a 14-lb. maximum takeoff weight, he FAA will not extend a pilot it does not plan to extend the pro - now delivers coffee, gift items, phar- program with industry and gram” when it expires on Oct. 25, the macy products, takeout meals, li- Tstate and local governments coalition said in response to an inquiry. brary books and FedEx packages in that helped launch the first drone- President Donald Trump launched Christiansburg, Virginia, dropping delivery services in the U.S. but has the program by presidential memo- payloads of up to 3.3 lb. by tether to not produced other routine commer- randum in October 2017 to help inform the ground. cial drone operations. and expedite the FAA’s slow-moving “The IPP enabled Wing to launch

Wing’s hybrid Hummingbird drone is delivering small packages in Christiansburg, Virginia.

ALPHABET WING In a statement to Aviation Week, regulatory process for drones; test the most advanced drone delivery ser- the FAA acknowledged that the Un- models of enforcement involving vice in the U.S., delivering everything manned Aircraft Systems (UAS) state, local and tribal governments; from medicine, food and grocery items Integrated Pilot Program (IPP) and encourage new types of drone directly to homes in the community,” will end in October—its originally operations. The directive specified a Wing said in a statement provided to planned expiration date—but vowed three-year termination date but al- Aviation Week. that work will continue with existing lowed for Chao to extend the program “We are grateful to the FAA, the or new public-private collaborations and required her to produce a final re- Transportation Department, Virginia to integrate drones into the National port within 90 days of the program’s Tech’s MAAP and the Christiansburg Airspace System. conclusion. community for making this achieve- While Jay Merkle, the FAA’s lead In May 2018, Chao announced the ment possible, and we look forward to UAS executive, earlier this year names of 10 lead agencies that her continuing to work with these organi- said that talks were being held on department had selected from a field zations to bring the benefits of drone the program’s future, the statement of 149 applicants to participate in delivery to more homes across the confirmed a July 29 notice of its ex- the UAS IPP by testing drone opera- country,” the statement added. piration by the Small UAV Coalition. tions in their jurisdictions. One of the In October 2019, UPS Flight For- The industry group released a letter industry- government partnerships ward and partner Matternet obtained it has written to U.S. Transportation later withdrew from the program. a broader Part 135 Standard certifi- Secretary Elaine Chao and FAA Ad- Originally a project of the secretive cation to deliver medical packages by ministrator Steve Dickson containing Google X research shop, Wing’s devel- drone, based on testing they conduct- recommendations to strengthen the opment of a delivery drone and traffic ed at the WakeMed Health and Hos- achievements of the UAS IPP. management system dates to 2012 and pitals campus in Raleigh, North Car- The FAA “has made clear to us in gained its first regulatory approval for olina, under the IPP. In July, UPS and extensive discussions on the IPP that a commercial service in the suburbs Matternet launched another service

56 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST UNMANNED AVIATION

The Sun Is Setting on FAA’s of Canberra, Australia, in April 2019. at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Cen- governments,” states the letter sent by released in late December attracted Weeks later, the FAA awarded Wing ter in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. the Small UAV Coalition, which rep- 53,000 public comments. Drone Partnership Initiative the first Part 135 air-carrier certifi- Under the auspices of the IPP resents companies such as Amazon “Under the IPP, the FAA’s part - cate for a drone delivery service in partnership led by the North Car - Prime Air, Wing and Verizon. nerships with state, local and tribal THE UAS IPP SUPPORTED DRONE DELIVERY OPERATIONS the U.S., based on testing the compa- olina Transportation Department, But a fundamental challenge to en- governments have yielded valuable > ny had done with the Virginia Tech the FAA granted Novant Health abling widespread commercial drone operational data and insight into pub- > BELL AND CHOCTAW NATION ANNOUNCE TESTING ACCORD Mid- Atlantic Aviation Partnership emergency approval in May to use operations remains unresolved. While lic engagement around UAS. These (MAAP) under the UAS IPP. Zipline’s fixed-wing drones to trans- facilitating flights of drones beyond partnerships will help advance policy Bill Carey Washington Wing’s hybrid Hummingbird drone, port personal protective equipment visual line of sight (BVLOS) of their development and enable more com- with a 14-lb. maximum takeoff weight, for medical workers in the Charlotte operators was an objective of the part- plex, routine drone operations,” the he FAA will not extend a pilot it does not plan to extend the pro - now delivers coffee, gift items, phar- metropolitan area. nership program, “the IPP has not yet FAA statement says. program with industry and gram” when it expires on Oct. 25, the macy products, takeout meals, li- Through the IPP, FedEx Express yielded routine BVLOS operations,” “Although the IPP ends in October Tstate and local governments coalition said in response to an inquiry. brary books and FedEx packages in is using drones in operations at its the coalition letter states. 2020, the work continues,” the agency that helped launch the first drone- President Donald Trump launched Christiansburg, Virginia, dropping Memphis International Airport hub “In several cases, extended VLOS notes. “More work is needed to find delivery services in the U.S. but has the program by presidential memo- payloads of up to 3.3 lb. by tether to in Tennessee. The Choctaw Nation of [operations] using visual observers adaptable solutions to address the not produced other routine commer- randum in October 2017 to help inform the ground. Oklahoma and Bell Textron on July 13 and/or highly constrained BVLOS technical challenges associated with cial drone operations. and expedite the FAA’s slow-moving “The IPP enabled Wing to launch announced an agreement to test Bell’s approvals with appreciable limitations BVLOS operations and detect-and- Autonomous Pod Transport drone have been granted,” the letter adds. avoid capabilities. In addition, more and Nexus urban air mobility vehicle “However, these have not yielded suf- information is needed on the eco - at the nation’s test site in southeast- ficiently productive results suitable nomic and societal benefits of UAS ern Oklahoma. for sustained and scalable operations.” and the best practices for community Demonstration projects conducted The FAA has said that it plans engagement. under the IPP have “benefited from to release final regulations for re - “The FAA looks forward to advanc- expedited review and approval of mote identification (Remote ID) of ing UAS integration with its IPP part- waiver and airspace authorization re- drones and flights over people by ners through existing partnership quests, focused guidance from FAA of- the end of the year; both are seen as mechanisms or through new collab- ficials and from the partnerships UAS enablers for approved BVLOS op - orative public-private partnerships,” operators formed with state and local erations. The Remote ID draft rule it adds. c

Wing’s hybrid Hummingbird drone Aircraft & Engine Marketplace is delivering small packages in Christiansburg, Virginia.

ALPHABET WING In a statement to Aviation Week, regulatory process for drones; test the most advanced drone delivery ser- the FAA acknowledged that the Un- models of enforcement involving vice in the U.S., delivering everything manned Aircraft Systems (UAS) state, local and tribal governments; from medicine, food and grocery items Integrated Pilot Program (IPP) and encourage new types of drone directly to homes in the community,” will end in October—its originally operations. The directive specified a Wing said in a statement provided to planned expiration date—but vowed three-year termination date but al- Aviation Week. that work will continue with existing lowed for Chao to extend the program “We are grateful to the FAA, the or new public-private collaborations and required her to produce a final re- Transportation Department, Virginia to integrate drones into the National port within 90 days of the program’s Tech’s MAAP and the Christiansburg Airspace System. conclusion. community for making this achieve- While Jay Merkle, the FAA’s lead In May 2018, Chao announced the ment possible, and we look forward to Placing Your Assets Made Easy UAS executive, earlier this year names of 10 lead agencies that her continuing to work with these organi- said that talks were being held on department had selected from a field zations to bring the benefits of drone It has never been easier or more cost-effective to move your aircraft, the program’s future, the statement of 149 applicants to participate in delivery to more homes across the confirmed a July 29 notice of its ex- the UAS IPP by testing drone opera- country,” the statement added. engines/APUs, and/or parts inventories through SpeedNews, the most piration by the Small UAV Coalition. tions in their jurisdictions. One of the In October 2019, UPS Flight For- The industry group released a letter industry- government partnerships ward and partner Matternet obtained efficient way to get your available assets in front of the right audience. it has written to U.S. Transportation later withdrew from the program. a broader Part 135 Standard certifi- Secretary Elaine Chao and FAA Ad- Originally a project of the secretive cation to deliver medical packages by For more information, contact ministrator Steve Dickson containing Google X research shop, Wing’s devel- drone, based on testing they conduct- Steve Costley recommendations to strengthen the opment of a delivery drone and traffic ed at the WakeMed Health and Hos- [email protected] achievements of the UAS IPP. management system dates to 2012 and pitals campus in Raleigh, North Car- +1 424-465-6509 The FAA “has made clear to us in gained its first regulatory approval for olina, under the IPP. In July, UPS and extensive discussions on the IPP that a commercial service in the suburbs Matternet launched another service

56 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 57 UNMANNED AVIATION

Swiss and U.S. Authorities to autho rize drone flights in controlled airspace near the Geneva and Lugano airports. Draw Closer on Drones “Even though our two countries are rather different, the challenges we face are very much alike,” says Christian > AGENCIES REVEAL AGREEMENT AT UAS SYMPOSIUM Hegner, FOCA’s director general. “We are both faced with the legitimate demand of these new stakeholders to access > INITIAL FOCUS WILL BE DRONE REMOTE airspace in new ways. IDENTIFICATION “I am convinced that our different sizes will allow us to tackle our shared challenges in different ways and thus Bill Carey Washington complement each other to get things moving,” Hegner adds. Lorenzo Murzilli, who co-leads the FOCA Innovation and he FAA and Switzerland’s civil aviation authority will Digitalization Unit, says the authority plans to implement a formally collaborate on the development and harmo- remote identification standard for drones by the end of the Tnization of drone standards, with an initial empha- year. That would coincide with the FAA’s stated intention sis on producing remote identification requirements. The to release its Remote ID final regulation in December. Both partnership builds on existing ties between the countries agencies are considering the ASTM International F3411-19 in advancing the safe entry of drones into their airspace. specification, which describes network and direct broadcast Executives of the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation means for a drone to signal its position and identity. (FOCA) announced the agreement on July 8 during the an- The agencies are similarly of like mind in developing nual FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium, UTM systems that delegate the provision of air traffic held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. The agen- services to third-party providers, says Murzilli, who, among other roles, serves on the board of the Lausanne, Switzerland-based Global UTM Association. “Just a few months ago, many in the [drone] ecosystem were still debating whether a single, monopolistic, centralized approach to UTM would be the right ap - proach,” he says. “There were advocates for a market- oriented, decentralized solution—NASA, the FAA and others,” Murzilli says. “The road- block? The lack of a credible, technological solution that would allow the market players Swiss Post delivers medical to provide services in an interoperable, safe, packages using the Matternet reliable and effective way. All of that changed M2 quadcopter. with the excellent work on Remote ID and the associated Discovery and Synchroniza- tion Service (DSS). We as the Swiss FOCA are actively involved in those developments.” The DSS is a data exchange that allows third-party UAS Service Suppliers (USS) to share safety-critical information while SWISS POST protecting operator privacy. The FOCA cies signed a declaration of intent to cooperate on research assisted ASTM in implementing the service through the and development, projects of mutual interest and the ex- open-source InterUSS Platform, a project supported by change of ideas and personnel. the Linux Foundation. “ASTM has seen its relevance and The agencies’ initial focus area is remote identification— influence in the UTM ecosystem skyrocket in the last two referred to as Remote ID—the capability of a drone to trans- years,” Murzilli adds. mit its position and identifying information to recipients There are other Swiss-U.S. parallels. Swiss testers on the ground. In September 2019, the FOCA coordinated first monitored beyond-visual-line-of-sight missions of a a demonstration in Switzerland of the same Remote ID Matternet drone from a Zurich coffee shop, Murzilli notes. standard the FAA has referenced as a potential means of Postal carrier Swiss Post now uses Matternet M2 quadcop- compliance with a pending regulation that will apply to most ter to transport medical samples in Zurich and Lugano, as drone users in the U.S. does UPS Flight Forward in Raleigh, North Carolina. The tracking function that Remote ID enables is consid- The FOCA and the FAA participated in the release of a ered a building block of a UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) by the Joint system for coordinating drone traffic at low altitude—origi- Authorities for Rulemaking of Unmanned Systems, an as- nally a NASA concept that the FOCA, Swiss air navigation semblage that represents national aviation authorities and service provider Skyguide and 30 companies are advancing safety organizations. Twenty countries are using SORA under the Swiss U-Space Implementation program. to evaluate the risk of various drone operations, accord- Skyguide announced in August 2019 that it had activat- ing to Murzilli, who led the working group that developed ed a cloud-based flight information management system the methodology. c

58 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST UNMANNED AVIATION

Swiss and U.S. Authorities to autho rize drone flights in controlled airspace near the Geneva and Lugano airports. Know. Draw Closer on Drones “Even though our two countries are rather different, the challenges we face are very much alike,” says Christian > AGENCIES REVEAL AGREEMENT AT UAS SYMPOSIUM Hegner, FOCA’s director general. “We are both faced with the legitimate demand of these new stakeholders to access > INITIAL FOCUS WILL BE DRONE REMOTE airspace in new ways. Predict. IDENTIFICATION “I am convinced that our different sizes will allow us to tackle our shared challenges in different ways and thus Bill Carey Washington complement each other to get things moving,” Hegner adds. Lorenzo Murzilli, who co-leads the FOCA Innovation and Connect. he FAA and Switzerland’s civil aviation authority will Digitalization Unit, says the authority plans to implement a formally collaborate on the development and harmo- remote identification standard for drones by the end of the Tnization of drone standards, with an initial empha- year. That would coincide with the FAA’s stated intention sis on producing remote identification requirements. The to release its Remote ID final regulation in December. Both partnership builds on existing ties between the countries agencies are considering the ASTM International F3411-19 in advancing the safe entry of drones into their airspace. specification, which describes network and direct broadcast Executives of the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation means for a drone to signal its position and identity. (FOCA) announced the agreement on July 8 during the an- The agencies are similarly of like mind in developing nual FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium, UTM systems that delegate the provision of air traffic held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. The agen- services to third-party providers, says Murzilli, who, among other roles, serves on the board of the Lausanne, Switzerland-based Global UTM Association. “Just a few months ago, many in the [drone] ecosystem were still debating whether a single, monopolistic, centralized approach to UTM would be the right ap - proach,” he says. “There were advocates for a market- oriented, decentralized solution—NASA, the FAA and others,” Murzilli says. “The road- block? The lack of a credible, technological solution that would allow the market players Swiss Post delivers medical to provide services in an interoperable, safe, packages using the Matternet reliable and effective way. All of that changed M2 quadcopter. with the excellent work on Remote ID and the associated Discovery and Synchroniza- tion Service (DSS). We as the Swiss FOCA are actively involved in those developments.” The DSS is a data exchange that allows third-party UAS Service Suppliers (USS) to share safety-critical information while SWISS POST protecting operator privacy. The FOCA Business-critical information, predictive intelligence and cies signed a declaration of intent to cooperate on research assisted ASTM in implementing the service through the and development, projects of mutual interest and the ex- open-source InterUSS Platform, a project supported by connections with opportunities and people. That’s how change of ideas and personnel. the Linux Foundation. “ASTM has seen its relevance and the Aviation Week Network helps you make decisions The agencies’ initial focus area is remote identification— influence in the UTM ecosystem skyrocket in the last two and build your business. referred to as Remote ID—the capability of a drone to trans- years,” Murzilli adds. mit its position and identifying information to recipients There are other Swiss-U.S. parallels. Swiss testers Delivering award-winning journalism, deep data and on the ground. In September 2019, the FOCA coordinated first monitored beyond-visual-line-of-sight missions of a analytics, world-class events, and content-driven a demonstration in Switzerland of the same Remote ID Matternet drone from a Zurich coffee shop, Murzilli notes. standard the FAA has referenced as a potential means of Postal carrier Swiss Post now uses Matternet M2 quadcop- marketing services, our core principle is helping our compliance with a pending regulation that will apply to most ter to transport medical samples in Zurich and Lugano, as customers succeed. drone users in the U.S. does UPS Flight Forward in Raleigh, North Carolina. The tracking function that Remote ID enables is consid- The FOCA and the FAA participated in the release of a Let’s grow your business. ered a building block of a UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) by the Joint system for coordinating drone traffic at low altitude—origi- Authorities for Rulemaking of Unmanned Systems, an as- aviationweek.com/productservices nally a NASA concept that the FOCA, Swiss air navigation semblage that represents national aviation authorities and service provider Skyguide and 30 companies are advancing safety organizations. Twenty countries are using SORA under the Swiss U-Space Implementation program. to evaluate the risk of various drone operations, accord- Skyguide announced in August 2019 that it had activat- ing to Murzilli, who led the working group that developed ed a cloud-based flight information management system the methodology. c Know. Predict. Connect. 58 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST PROPULSION

Rolls-Royce Links With Boom, Boom’s Concorde-like trijet will Virgin on Supersonic Ventures cruise at Mach 2.2. good options there. But there are a lot of di erent ways you get from point A to B, which trade between those things.” The Overture’s overall propulsion system design will be driven by a balance of two main performance parameters. “One is the landing/takeo noise cycle, and we expect to meet the latest Stage 5/Chapter 14 noise levels > BOOM AND ROLLS STUDY POWER OPTIONS FOR MACH 2.2 OVERTURE on the ground with the aircraft ﬂ ying an optimized ﬂ ightpath,” Scholl says. > ROLLS TO WORK WITH VIRGIN GALACTIC ON ENGINE STUDIES FOR “That requirement balances with MACH 3 TRANSPORT cruise e ciency.”

OO SPSOI Although Boom is targeting a slight- Guy Norris Los Angeles ly higher cruise speed than Concorde’s Mach 2.02, Rolls might conceivably eventeen years after the Olym- Mach 1.4 AS2 business jet in late 2018. leverage modern derivatives of the pus 593 turbojets were shut Rolls-Royce’s study agreement with inlet system for the Olympus 593 Mk. Sdown for the last time on the Boom comes after fi ve years of behind- 610 production version—developed final operational Concorde, super- the-scenes discussions between the two in partnership with Snecma (now sonic engine developer Rolls-Royce companies. Boom CEO Blake Scholl de- Safran). Highly advanced for its time, is staking claims to power a resur- scribes the pact as “the missing puzzle the Mk. 610 version employed vari- gent generation of 21st-century, high- piece for Overture.” However, he adds able-geometry inlet ramps, variable speed successors. the proviso that its deal with Rolls does nozzles and secondary air doors to Banking on 27 years of commercial not yet signal a fi nal down-select. “The enable the Concorde to supercruise supersonic experience—and a raft of most signifi cantly legitimate criticism e ciently at Mach 2. high-speed propulsion technology de- of Boom over the years has been that High inlet recovery pressure gen- veloped and tested over the past four we don’t have an engine partner yet, erated 63% of the net thrust at cruise decades—Rolls has signed study agree- and now clearly we do,” Scholl says. and allowed the afterburner to be ments with Boom Supersonic on the “We share a strong interest in su- turned o at Mach 1.7. For lower com- Colorado-based company’s proposed personic flight and in sustainability munity noise, Rolls is also studying Mach 2.2 Overture airliner design and strategies for aviation with Boom,” says options such as variable nozzles to with Virgin Galactic for the space com- Simon Carlisle, director of strategy for enable the engine to be reconfi gured pany’s Mach 3 transport concept. Rolls-Royce. “We’re now building on for low-speed, subsonic operation While both partnership agreements our valuable experience in this space, and high-speed cruise. Scholl says are described as preliminary, they mark as well as our previous work together, the study may include advanced fea- the start of a potential new competitive to further match and refi ne our engine tures such as a distortion-tolerant fan phase in the emerging civil high-speed technology for Boom’s Overture.” and an “innovative exhaust system,” transport market. Although the super- Although details of the Boom study but he adds that more ambitious con- sonic sector struggled to gain traction work remain undisclosed, the study cepts such as variable cycle capability over most of the past decade, it has “will focus heavily on how we can make “would be for future aircraft.” gained significant ground in the last supersonic fl ight compatible with our The study agreement with Virgin three years. Stimulated in part by the (and the aviation industry’s) climate Galactic, described as “nonbinding” U.S. government-backed NASA X-59 targets,” Rolls says. “We see great val- by the space company, is aimed at low-sonic-boom research project, the ue in exploring the use of sustainable a higher-speed concept for a twin- commercial supersonics arena has been fuels in supersonic fl ight, so that will engine, delta-wing aircraft. It calls for reinvigorated by several well-funded in- be an important part.” The company seating of up to 19 and the capability of dustry programs aimed at developing confi rms that a derivative engine based cruising at Mach 3 at altitudes above sustainable, low-noise designs powered on the high-pressure-ratio core of the 60,000 ft. Until now, little has been by carbon-neutral synthetic fuels. Trent family is among potential op- released about the project—which Although the recent e ects of the tions. “We’re hoping to make signifi - also involves NASA. Under a Space COVID-19 pandemic have created cant progress on the fi rst phase of work Act Agreement signed last May with new headwinds for all the supersonic by the end of this year,” Rolls adds. Virgin and its subsidiary The Space- hopefuls, the challenge of securing an Although not discussing details in ship Co., NASA is working collabo- engine partner remains key to under- terms of power or specifi c bypass ratio, ratively to help foster technology for pinning the long-term legitimacy of Boom is “looking for a medium-bypass high-Mach-capable vehicles. each project. Aerion Supersonic be- turbofan,” Scholl says. “And the three The research work with NASA to came the fi rst to overcome this barrier key criteria for it are fuel efficiency, date has already included collabora- when it aligned with General Electric sustainability and a path to industrial- tion on vehicle thermal management to develop the A nity engine for its ization—so we think there are multiple and “propulsion system options in the

AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST PROPULSION

Rolls-Royce Links With Boom, Boom’s Concorde-like trijet will Mach 3-5 regime,” though the focus for plans to develop a fol- cruise at Mach 2.2. this latter area is now expected to shift low-on family of long- Virgin on Supersonic Ventures to more specific engine concepts under range, high-speed good options there. But there are a lot the new agreement with Rolls-Royce. transports from the of di erent ways you get from point A The higher cruise-speed target of company’s Mach 3 to B, which trade between those things.” the Virgin project, added to existing SpaceShipTwo (SS2) VIRGIN GALACTIC The Overture’s overall propulsion links with Boeing and high-speed pro- suborbital space- system design will be driven by a pulsion system developer Reaction En- plane. These include balance of two main performance pa- gines, may also lead to the involvement a potential SS3 de - rameters. “One is the landing/takeo of Reaction’s precooler technology in rivative that would noise cycle, and we expect to meet the Rolls-Royce’s study. Both Boeing and operate exoatmo- Configured with a large delta wing, Virgin’s concept latest Stage 5/Chapter 14 noise levels Rolls have stakes in Reaction, which spherically on point- will cruise at Mach 3. > BOOM AND ROLLS STUDY POWER OPTIONS FOR MACH 2.2 OVERTURE on the ground with the aircraft ﬂ ying is developing the advanced heat ex- to-point passenger an optimized ﬂ ightpath,” Scholl says. changer system as part of a broad suite flights between continents. vation unit, has awarded Hermeus a > ROLLS TO WORK WITH VIRGIN GALACTIC ON ENGINE STUDIES FOR “That requirement balances with of new features for its air-breathing A commercial Mach 5 concept Phase 2 contract to study how the ve- MACH 3 TRANSPORT cruise e ciency.” Sabre hypersonic propulsion concept. also continues to progress in Geor- hicle could potentially be modified for

OO SPSOI Although Boom is targeting a slight- While ultimately aimed at vehicles gia, where Atlanta-based Hermeus is use by the presidential and executive Guy Norris Los Angeles ly higher cruise speed than Concorde’s that can attain Mach 5 and beyond, testing a scaled prototype of the tur- airlift fleet. The contract, though rel- Mach 2.02, Rolls might conceivably potentially including two-stage-to- bine-based combined-cycle engine it atively modest at $1.5 million through eventeen years after the Olym- Mach 1.4 AS2 business jet in late 2018. leverage modern derivatives of the orbit space access systems, the pre- plans to use to power its hypersonic 2021, is nonetheless significant, as pus 593 turbojets were shut Rolls-Royce’s study agreement with inlet system for the Olympus 593 Mk. cooler at the heart of the Sabre design transport. Aimed at entry into service it lays the groundwork for demon - Sdown for the last time on the Boom comes after fi ve years of behind- 610 production version—developed will also be offered as a stand-alone around the end of the decade, the ve- strating Air Force requirements for final operational Concorde, super- the-scenes discussions between the two in partnership with Snecma (now feature for augmenting conventional hicle is provisionally sized to carry commercial hypersonic flight, says sonic engine developer Rolls-Royce companies. Boom CEO Blake Scholl de- Safran). Highly advanced for its time, turbofans at lower Mach numbers. around 20 passengers and designed Hermeus. With numerous superson- is staking claims to power a resur- scribes the pact as “the missing puzzle the Mk. 610 version employed vari- In addition, the work with NASA on to transit between typical transatlan- ic options emerging, the contract may gent generation of 21st-century, high- piece for Overture.” However, he adds able-geometry inlet ramps, variable thermal protection and propulsion up tic destinations such as New York and also be a bellwether for future Air speed successors. the proviso that its deal with Rolls does nozzles and secondary air doors to to the threshold of hypersonic condi- London in 90 min. Force interest in acquiring high-speed Banking on 27 years of commercial not yet signal a fi nal down-select. “The enable the Concorde to supercruise tions fits in with Virgin’s long-running AFWerx, the U.S. Air Force’s inno- airlift capability in the nearer term. c supersonic experience—and a raft of most signifi cantly legitimate criticism e ciently at Mach 2. high-speed propulsion technology de- of Boom over the years has been that High inlet recovery pressure gen- veloped and tested over the past four we don’t have an engine partner yet, erated 63% of the net thrust at cruise decades—Rolls has signed study agree- and now clearly we do,” Scholl says. and allowed the afterburner to be ments with Boom Supersonic on the “We share a strong interest in su- turned o at Mach 1.7. For lower com- Discover more Colorado-based company’s proposed personic flight and in sustainability munity noise, Rolls is also studying www.aeroengineconference.com Mach 2.2 Overture airliner design and strategies for aviation with Boom,” says options such as variable nozzles to with Virgin Galactic for the space com- Simon Carlisle, director of strategy for enable the engine to be reconfi gured pany’s Mach 3 transport concept. Rolls-Royce. “We’re now building on for low-speed, subsonic operation While both partnership agreements our valuable experience in this space, and high-speed cruise. Scholl says are described as preliminary, they mark as well as our previous work together, the study may include advanced fea- VIRTUAL the start of a potential new competitive to further match and refi ne our engine tures such as a distortion-tolerant fan phase in the emerging civil high-speed technology for Boom’s Overture.” and an “innovative exhaust system,” 16-17 SEPTEMBER 2020 transport market. Although the super- Although details of the Boom study but he adds that more ambitious con- sonic sector struggled to gain traction work remain undisclosed, the study cepts such as variable cycle capability over most of the past decade, it has “will focus heavily on how we can make “would be for future aircraft.” INTRODUCING THE FIRST EVER VIRTUAL gained significant ground in the last supersonic fl ight compatible with our The study agreement with Virgin GATHERING FOR THE AERO-ENGINE INDUSTRY three years. Stimulated in part by the (and the aviation industry’s) climate Galactic, described as “nonbinding” U.S. government-backed NASA X-59 targets,” Rolls says. “We see great val- by the space company, is aimed at HEAR FROM INDUSTRY LEADERS INCLUDING: low-sonic-boom research project, the ue in exploring the use of sustainable a higher-speed concept for a twin- commercial supersonics arena has been fuels in supersonic fl ight, so that will engine, delta-wing aircraft. It calls for reinvigorated by several well-funded in- be an important part.” The company seating of up to 19 and the capability of dustry programs aimed at developing confi rms that a derivative engine based cruising at Mach 3 at altitudes above sustainable, low-noise designs powered on the high-pressure-ratio core of the 60,000 ft. Until now, little has been by carbon-neutral synthetic fuels. Trent family is among potential op- released about the project—which Although the recent e ects of the tions. “We’re hoping to make signifi - also involves NASA. Under a Space COVID-19 pandemic have created cant progress on the fi rst phase of work Act Agreement signed last May with new headwinds for all the supersonic by the end of this year,” Rolls adds. Virgin and its subsidiary The Space- Ana Bidarra Richard Ahmet Ismail Daniel-Patrick Andrea Luebke hopefuls, the challenge of securing an Although not discussing details in ship Co., NASA is working collabo- Engine Shop Goodhead Gulle Heatley Managing Director, engine partner remains key to under- terms of power or specifi c bypass ratio, ratively to help foster technology for Planning Manager, SVP Marketing, Engineering Manager, Engineering & Fleet MTU Maintenance pinning the long-term legitimacy of Boom is “looking for a medium-bypass high-Mach-capable vehicles. TAP Maintenance & Rolls-Royce Turkish Airlines Manager - Powerplant, Lease Services each project. Aerion Supersonic be- turbofan,” Scholl says. “And the three The research work with NASA to Engineering SAS came the fi rst to overcome this barrier key criteria for it are fuel efficiency, date has already included collabora- when it aligned with General Electric sustainability and a path to industrial- tion on vehicle thermal management #AEEUR | to develop the A nity engine for its ization—so we think there are multiple and “propulsion system options in the

AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 61 ASK THE EDITORS What Advantages Does Electric Propulsion Offer Over Gas Turbine Engines?

Executive Editor, Technology, Graham Whether you use one or two large ation, such as urban air mobility and Warwick answers: There are several motors or many small motors in a dis- regional air logistics, now the domain advantages claimed for electric mo- tributed electric propulsion architec- of road and rail transportation. It will tors over gas turbines, but motors are ture, performance is about the same. take longer to electrify the short- and only one part of an electric propulsion That is not the case with turbines. medium-range aircraft that make up system. Just as turbine engines need Development of electric motors for the bulk of commercial aviation, while fuel tanks, pumps, pipes and other aircraft is still in its early days with long-haul aircraft are considered likely systems, electric propulsion needs many different topologies to pursue— to remain reliant on liquid fuels. energy storage, power electronics, dis- both conventional and superconduct- But there are signs that short- and tribution buses and cooling systems. It ing—so time will tell. medium-range propulsion will be - is at the system level that electrified But the biggest challenge in elec- come, if not all-electric, at least more propulsion faces challenges. trifying propulsion is energy storage. electric. Integrating a megawatt-class ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT GROUP

One advantage is noise. An electric Current batteries have a fraction of motor/generator into a turbofan would motor is quieter than an engine that the energy density of aviation fuels. allow power to be added as well as ex- combusts fuel. It still has to drive a That is why all-electric propulsion is tracted. This could be used to boost propulsor—rotor, propeller or fan— starting with small, short-range air takeoff power, allowing use of smaller, and that produces noise on takeoff and taxis—with typically an hour’s flight more efficient turbine engines. Using climbout. But electric propulsion will endurance. Even hybrid- electric air- stored energy to manage the engine be quieter when taxiing and cruising. craft are starting with shorter-range cycle could improve efficiency. Electric motors also enable distribut- regional aircraft. The road to propulsion electrified propulsion systems with multiple There are higher-performing bat- cation has a long way to go, but the smaller, quieter rotors or fans. tery chemistries than today’s lithium- European Union Aviation Safety Efficiency is another advantage. ion designs, but they have yet to be Agency says the type certification Electric drivetrains can be more than commercialized. Other forms of en- of Pipistrel’s Velis Electro trainer 90% efficient, compared with 55% for ergy storage, such as hydrogen fuel in June has laid the first regulatory today’s large turbofans and 35% for cells, are being fielded by the auto - bricks on that path. c small turboprops. That disparity in motive industry. New ways of storing efficiency between large and small energy are in early development, such turbines is one reason why the elec- as the flow battery, which NASA is The Aviation Week Network invites trification of propulsion is beginning adapting to aircraft propulsion under readers to submit questions to our with the modification of regional air- the Aquifer project. editors. Answers are published online craft powered by turboprops such as Battery limitations are why initial at AviationWeek.com. To access our the Pratt & Whitney PT6. applications of electric propulsion are answer archive or post a new question, Another advantage is scalability. targeting markets that are new to avi- go to: AviationWeek.com/asktheeditors

62 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST ADVERTISING SECTION ASK THE Aerospace Products and Services MEDIA EDITORS What Advantages Does Electric Propulsion M is a digital directory connecting in the aerospace, air transport, business Luckiest Engineer Offer Over Gas Turbine Engines? aviation, MRO and defense industries. Become a power user by registering at marketplace.aviationweek.com/register. An Aerospace Engineer’s Memoir Registration is FREE, enabling you to find thousands of products like the ones featured below and to connect with Available in print and as an ebook, Luckiest Executive Editor, Technology, Graham Whether you use one or two large ation, such as urban air mobility and more than 12,000 global suppliers. Create a personalized save Engineer is a memoir about the work of a Warwick answers: There are several motors or many small motors in a dis- regional air logistics, now the domain list, learn about companies’ specialties, get contact details farm boy turned engineer whose involvement advantages claimed for electric mo- tributed electric propulsion architec- of road and rail transportation. It will and request information. Connect today at marketplace. working on unparalleled aerospace vehicles tors over gas turbines, but motors are ture, performance is about the same. take longer to electrify the short- and aviationweek.com. Aviation Week Marketplace is the one and systems of the last 50 years makes for only one part of an electric propulsion That is not the case with turbines. medium-range aircraft that make up source to nd everything needed in aviation. some great stories. Luckiest Engineer also system. Just as turbine engines need Development of electric motors for the bulk of commercial aviation, while shows the humorous side of aerospace engineering, highlighting fuel tanks, pumps, pipes and other aircraft is still in its early days with long-haul aircraft are considered likely Advertise on the Marketplace: contact many hilarious personal anecdotes. systems, electric propulsion needs many different topologies to pursue— to remain reliant on liquid fuels. energy storage, power electronics, dis- both conventional and superconduct- But there are signs that short- and tribution buses and cooling systems. It ing—so time will tell. medium-range propulsion will be - Place a classi ed ad: contact luckiestengineerbook.com is at the system level that electrified But the biggest challenge in elec- come, if not all-electric, at least more https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/ propulsion faces challenges. trifying propulsion is energy storage. electric. Integrating a megawatt-class product/luckiest-engineer

AUCTION SERVICES TIMED ONLINE AUCTION British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB)

ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT GROUP The Provision of Medical, General Aviation Support Lots Begin Closing: Thurs., Sept. 17 at 10am PDT and Aviation Firefi ghting Support to BATSUB INSPECTION: Sept. 15th & 16th, 9am to 4pm & Morning of Sale LOCATION: 1474 N VIP Blvd., Casa Grande, AZ 85122 The British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) would like to Draw your attention to the Aerospace Rock Wool Mfr. following requirement: The Provision of Medical, General Aviation Support and Aviation Firefi ghting Support to BATSUB. (Subject BY ORDER OF OWNER: to contract) Description: Aviation MEDEVAC capability from sunrise to sunset every day of the year on RS30. General Aviation Support Service (sub-task) day. Aviation Fire Fighting (sub-task) day. Interested suppliers are invited to register their interest via Defence Contracts Online (DCO) One advantage is noise. An electric Current batteries have a fraction of motor/generator into a turbofan would motor is quieter than an engine that the energy density of aviation fuels. allow power to be added as well as ex- www.contracts.mod.uk Full advert in the DCO. combusts fuel. It still has to drive a That is why all-electric propulsion is tracted. This could be used to boost You must not take this announcement to mean propulsor—rotor, propeller or fan— starting with small, short-range air takeoff power, allowing use of smaller, confi rmation that MOD shall award a contract and that produces noise on takeoff and taxis—with typically an hour’s flight more efficient turbine engines. Using for this requirement. The MOD is publishing this climbout. But electric propulsion will endurance. Even hybrid- electric air- stored energy to manage the engine announcement without any commitment to issue be quieter when taxiing and cruising. craft are starting with shorter-range cycle could improve efficiency. FEATURED EQUIPMENT: Electric motors also enable distribut- regional aircraft. The road to propulsion electrifi- • Rock Wool Crusher System • Wheelabrator & Scrubber System a tender or place a contract. Accordingly, any ed propulsion systems with multiple There are higher-performing bat- cation has a long way to go, but the • Steel Silo System • Electrical Switchgear expenditure, work or effort undertaken before smaller, quieter rotors or fans. tery chemistries than today’s lithium- European Union Aviation Safety • (2) Melters • Forklifts/Rolling Stock contract award is a matter solely for the commercial Efficiency is another advantage. ion designs, but they have yet to be Agency says the type certification • Blowing Wool Lines • Air Compressors judgement of potential suppliers. Announcements Electric drivetrains can be more than commercialized. Other forms of en- of Pipistrel’s Velis Electro trainer • Bagger System and Much More... may also be published on Defence Contracts 90% efficient, compared with 55% for ergy storage, such as hydrogen fuel in June has laid the first regulatory c Online, Contracts Finder or the Offi cial Journal of today’s large turbofans and 35% for cells, are being fielded by the auto - bricks on that path. Register to bid at: small turboprops. That disparity in motive industry. New ways of storing the European Union (OJEU), as appropriate. efficiency between large and small energy are in early development, such For info. contact Sencer Quale at 661-618-3064 www.contracts.mod.uk turbines is one reason why the elec- as the flow battery, which NASA is The Aviation Week Network invites https://marketplace.aviationweek.com/prod- trification of propulsion is beginning adapting to aircraft propulsion under readers to submit questions to our 888-648-2249 uct/provision-medical-general-aviation-sup- with the modification of regional air- the Aquifer project. editors. Answers are published online www.tauberaronsinc.com port-and-air-fi refi ghting-support-batsub craft powered by turboprops such as Battery limitations are why initial at AviationWeek.com. To access our the Pratt & Whitney PT6. applications of electric propulsion are answer archive or post a new question, Another advantage is scalability. targeting markets that are new to avi- go to: AviationWeek.com/asktheeditors Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information.

62 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 63

AvAON WEEk & SpAE Eh 1/3 Page Monday, August 17 ADVERTISING SECTION Aerospace Products and Services

TEST EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Matec Instrument Companies, Inc. Ultrasonic Testing Systems

Matec Instrument Companies is an industry leader in providing superior nondestructive conventional and phased-array ultrasonic testing solutions . Our systems range from small laboratory tanks to complex, multi-axis, immersion and gantry systems capable of scanning large parts and complex contour geometries .

Matec provides a full range of in-house services including mechanical and electronic design, machining and fabrication, instrumentation and control, applications testing, and data acuisition and analysis software . Matecs support services 2000 G include installation and start-up, commissioning, training, instrument S G calibration, and repairs to ensure proper system alignment and A is the next calibration, and to deliver optimum generation interactive supplier directory. performance and value . Buyers turn to Aviation Week Marketplace to nd, research, and connect to products and services around the world. Join the Marketplace today and easily reach aerospace professionals looking Northborough, MA - Banning, CA 508-393-0155 salesmatec .com for U products and services. /// / TRAINING A

Abaris Training Advanced Composites Training and Services

Abaris Training offers over 3 different intensive courses in engineering, manufacturing, and repair of advanced composite structures . All courses are a mix of classroom and hands-on lab exercises designed to provide students a thorough learning experience . ////

Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information. AW_Marketplace_ad_half-vertical_magazines_072120.indd 1 8/10/20 11:56 AM

64 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST ADVERTISING SECTION Contact Us Aerospace Products and Services Aerospace Calendar President/Publisher: Gregory D. Hamilton; To submit Aerospace Calendar Listings +1 (212) 204-4368; [email protected] TEST EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Managing Director, Global Media: Iain Blackhall (UK); email: [email protected] +44 (0)20 7975 1670; [email protected] Aug. 18-Sept. 18—RTCA Plenary Sessions/Committee Meetings. Virtual or various Matec Instrument Companies, Inc. U.S. Sales Offices locations. See rtca.org/content/upcoming-committee-meetings Managing Director, Americas: Beth Wagner; (202) 517-1061; [email protected] Aug. 20-21—Space Warfighting Industry Forum (SWIF). Virtual event. Ultrasonic Testing Systems Director, Commercial Sales: Tom Davis; (469) 854-6717; [email protected] See ndia.org/events/2020/8/19/space-warfighting-industry-forum# Matec Instrument Companies is an Aug. 24-26 International Regional Sales Offices —AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition. Virtual event. industry leader in providing superior Publisher, Defense, Space & Security: See aiaa.org/propulsionenergy nondestructive conventional and Andrea Rossi Prudente (UK); +44 (207) 182 4524; Aug. 25-28—UAS West Virtual Symposium. Virtual event. See asdnews.com/news/ phased-array ultrasonic testing [email protected] solutions . Our systems range from defense/2020/06/26/uas-west-virtual-symposium Marketing Services small laboratory tanks to complex, Director, Digital Customer Solutions: Jason Washburn; Aug. 31-Sept. 1—2020 Humans to Mars Summit (H2M). Virtual event. multi-axis, immersion and gantry (216) 931-9161; [email protected] See exploremars.org/summit systems capable of scanning Sales Team Listings: @AviationWeek.com/sales-contacts large parts and complex contour Sept. 3-4—Military Space Situational Awareness Conference 2020. Virtual event. geometries . Business/Production See smi-online.co.uk/defence/uk/milspace Senior Manager, Ad Production: Jim Heffron; Sept. 10—2020 Women In Defense National Conference. Virtual event. Matec provides a full range of (630) 524-4552; [email protected] Ad Operations Specialist: Kara Walby; See womenindefense.net/events/2020/9/10/women-in-defense-virtual-leadership- in-house services including (913) 967-7476; [email protected] symposium mechanical and electronic design, machining and fabrication, Advertising/Marketing Services Sept. 14-16—Air Force Association Air, Space & Cyber Conference. Virtual event. instrumentation and control, Media Kits, Promotions or Custom Media: See afa.org/events/calendar/2020-09-14/air-space-cyber-conference www.aviationweek.com/mediakits or Elizabeth Sisk; applications testing, and data (860) 245-5632; [email protected] acuisition and analysis software . Business and Finance Manager: Gabriel Balmes; +44 (0) 7881-010660; [email protected] Matecs support services 2000 G Subscriber Service Aviation Week Network Events include installation and start-up, U.S.: (800) 525-5003 +1 (800) 722-6344 or Events.AviationWeek.com commissioning, training, instrument S G Outside the U.S.: +1 (847) 763-9147 calibration, and repairs to ensure Aug. 25-26—Aerospace Manufacturing Conference. Virtual event. A is the next Manage Your Subscription (and Claim Digital Edition) at: proper system alignment and aviationweek.com/awstcustomers Sept. 2—CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit. Virtual Event. calibration, and to deliver optimum generation interactive supplier directory. Conferences/Exhibitions Sept. 15-16—Commercial Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference-Europe. performance and value . Buyers turn to Aviation Week Marketplace to www.aviationweek.com/events: Virtual event. nd, research, and connect to products and To Sponsor/Exhibit: Beth Eddy; services around the world. (561) 279-4646; [email protected] Sept. 16-17—Aero-Engines Europe. Virtual event. To Register: Virginia Gongora; (212) 204-4202; [email protected] Sept. 22-24—Aero-Engines Asia-Pacific. Virtual event. Join the Marketplace today and easily Sept. 23-24—MRO Asia-Pacific. Virtual event. reach aerospace professionals looking AW&ST Mailing List Rental and Sales Northborough, MA - Banning, CA 508-393-0155 salesmatec .com Mary Ralicki: (212) 204-4284; [email protected] Oct. 19—Aviation Week Laureates Awards. McLean, Virginia. for U products and services. Reprints, Photocopies and Permissions Oct. 20-21—Aviation Week DefenseChain Conference. McLean, Virginia. /// Custom Reprints: [email protected] Oct. 21—Aviation Week Program Excellence Awards and Banquet. / Wright’s Media, 2407 Timberloch Place, Suite B McLean, Virginia. The Woodlands, Texas 77380 Office: (281) 419-5725 Oct. 27-29—MRO TransAtlantic. Virtual Event. TRAINING A Toll Free: (877) 652-5295 Cell: (713) 724-6987 Oct. 27-29—ap&m Europe. Barcelona, Spain. Fax: (281) 419-5712 Abaris Training wrightsmedia.com/sites/aviation-week/contact.cfm Social Media Advanced Composites Join the conversation. Follow us at: ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Training and Services linkedin.com/company/aviation-week Twitter.com/AviationWeek 20 Twenties ...... 39 Aviation Week Events Facebook.com/AvWeek MRO Asia-Pacific ...... MRO32 Abaris Training offers over 3 YouTube.com/AviationWeek Aviation Week Events different intensive courses in AeroEngines Europe ...... 61 MRO Transatlantic ...... MRO15 engineering, manufacturing, Aviation Week & Space Technology is published biweekly, Aviation Week Network SpeedNews Aerospace and with one issue in August by Informa Markets, a trading Manufacturing Conference ..... MRO43 and repair of advanced Aviation Week division of Informa PLC, 22701 W 68TH TER STE 100 Aviation Week Network composite structures . All Shawnee KS 66226-3583. Member of Audit Bureau Intelligence Network...... 59, 3rd Cover Aircraft Bluebook ...... MRO27 courses are a mix of classroom of Circulations and Magazine Publishers of America. Aviation Week Photo Contest...... 5 Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, MO and Aviation Week Fleet Fleet Discovery Millitary...... 25 and hands-on lab exercises additional mailing offices. Canadian GST #R126431964. & MRO Forecasts ...... MRO11 Title reg. in U.S. Patent Office. Copy right © 2020 by Market Briefings ...... 29 designed to provide students a ® MRO Prospector...... MRO44 Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. All SpeedNews ...... 57 thorough learning experience . rights reserved. All rights to these names are reserved SpeedNews...... MRO24 by Informa Markets. Postmaster: Send address Boeing ...... 2nd Cover BAE ...... MRO2 //// changes to Aviation Week & Space Technology, Attention: Lockheed ...... 4th Cover Subscription Services, P.O. Box 1173, Skokie, IL 60076. MARKETPLACE...... 63-64 Ontic ...... 4 Abaris ...... 64 Aviation Week & Space Technology INSIDE MRO (between pages 34 & 35) AUGUST 17-30, 2020 VOL. 182, NO. 16 Aerospace Rock Wool Manufacturing ...... 63 Go to marketplace.aviationweek.com for more information. (ISSN 0005-2175) Ascent Aviation Services ...... MRO18 Matec ...... 64 AW_Marketplace_ad_half-vertical_magazines_072120.indd 1 8/10/20 11:56 AM

64 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST AviationWeek.com/AWST AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 65 VIEWPOINT

LightSquared Fiasco 2.0

By Thad Allen, Brad Parkinson and Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

n a recent AW&ST viewpoint, former NASA Adminis- The company granted this license, Ligado, has claimed trator Dan Goldin argued in defense of the FCC’s flawed support by the major GPS equipment manufacturers. The Idecision to allow high-power terrestrial transmitters in list of GPS manufacturers, companies and user groups the quiet band of frequencies that includes GPS (AW&ST that oppose the FCC decision is at nearly 100 and growing July 13-26, p. 74). Sadly, Goldin missed the whole point of by the day. This was also ignored by Goldin. the intense outcry against the FCC’s grave error: The FCC Nothing in the FCC authorization for Ligado includes has failed to protect GPS, an in- an ironclad requirement to limit credibly valuable national treasure. LOCKHEED MARTIN noise floor increases to 1 dB or less. The commission’s ruling benefits This is the most critical error. One investors in one company but would decibel is the internationally ac- do irreparable harm to millions of cepted standard for interference to U.S.-based GPS users. This is a sad positioning systems. It requires that replay of Ligado’s previous incarna- the adjacent band should limit noise tion, LightSquared. increases to 25%. Stronger interfer- Extensive U.S. Transportation ence threatens GPS performance. Department testing demonstrated Ligado’s proposal clearly fails that virtually all civil GPS applica- this test, particularly for the high- tions would be threatened, not only est-performance GPS applications. by the new 10-watt transmitters lo- So the company and its backers have cated on every other street corner, invented a new, ill-defined metric but potentially by millions of Ligado’s that has no support from the GPS mobile devices. Both segments raise users who are most affected—while the GPS signal noise floor. ignoring the best available science Their transmitters would be 2 provided by several departments of billion times more powerful than CONGRESS MUST PROTECT the U.S. government. Without hear- the GPS signals for a GPS user— ings or consulting those affected, the equivalent to trying to hear a whis- ’THE JEWEL OF THE U.S. FCC has apparently accepted this in- per with 100 jets taking off. Of par- vention but has not clearly explained ticular concern is the impact on SPACE PROGRAM’ what it is. aviation (including UAVs, helicop- This decision shatters the prece- ters, automatic dependent surveil- dent of allocating only quiet space- lance-broadcast, terrain avoidance and warning systems to-ground signals in this Mobile Satellite Service band to and commercial aircraft communications/air traffic con- avoid any risks of cross-interference. Moreover, it violates trol). This degradation could markedly increase the risk of an explicit promise by the FCC in 2003: “We do not intend, midair collisions and controlled flight into terrain. nor will we permit, the terrestrial component to become a GPS has been called “the jewel of the U.S. space pro- stand-alone service.” GPS equipment was manufactured gram.” In 2010, GPS won the International Astronautical assuming the FCC would keep its word. Federation’s 60th Anniversary Award as the space sys- Goldin has sounded a false alarm in saying that if this tem that has most benefited humanity. According to a decision is rescinded, the whole U.S. posture on 5G will June 2019 study commissioned by the National Institute be in jeopardy—particularly with respect to China. Facts of Standards and Technology, the commercialization of make that assertion doubtful. The lower band of Ligado GPS technology has delivered more than $1.4 trillion in frequencies in question is only 10 MHz and was never in U.S. economic impact. the FCC plan for 5G. It is an almost negligible part (less GPS has stealthily crept into every corner of our soci- than 3%) of the 350 MHz that is in the FCC plan. ety, from agriculture to banking to emergency respond- The GPS Innovation Alliance performed a comprehen- ers. The Department of Homeland Security has said that sive review of the order and sent it to the Senate Com- all elements of our critical infrastructure are dependent merce, Science and Transportation Committee. on it. These myriad applications are in jeopardy. It is time for Congress to ensure that we do not place Opposition to the FCC order is widespread and consis- a major foundation of our critical infrastructure at risk. tent. The U.S. Position, Navigation and Timing Advisory For the United States, the value of this repurposing is ex- Board has strongly opposed the FCC ruling, based on sci- tremely small, and the potential damage is very great. c entific testing and analysis. Dozens of user groups have opposed the decision, including aviation associations— Adm. Thad Allen retired as Commandant of the U.S. Coast pilots and manufacturers, plus airline and helicopter oper- Guard. Prof. Brad Parkinson led the original design, development ators. Nine key U.S. departments have unanimously gone and testing of GPS. Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is a for- on record as opposed. The FAA and the National Telecom- mer Air Force fighter pilot and retired airline pilot. The opinions munications and Information Administration have added expressed by the authors are their own and do not represent the their strong opposition. Goldin elected to ignore all this. U.S. government or any other entity.

66 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST VIEWPOINT

LightSquared Fiasco 2.0

By Thad Allen, Brad Parkinson and Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger n a recent AW&ST viewpoint, former NASA Adminis- The company granted this license, Ligado, has claimed trator Dan Goldin argued in defense of the FCC’s flawed support by the major GPS equipment manufacturers. The Idecision to allow high-power terrestrial transmitters in list of GPS manufacturers, companies and user groups the quiet band of frequencies that includes GPS (AW&ST that oppose the FCC decision is at nearly 100 and growing July 13-26, p. 74). Sadly, Goldin missed the whole point of by the day. This was also ignored by Goldin. the intense outcry against the FCC’s grave error: The FCC Nothing in the FCC authorization for Ligado includes has failed to protect GPS, an in- an ironclad requirement to limit credibly valuable national treasure. LOCKHEED MARTIN noise floor increases to 1 dB or less. The commission’s ruling benefits This is the most critical error. One investors in one company but would decibel is the internationally ac- do irreparable harm to millions of cepted standard for interference to U.S.-based GPS users. This is a sad positioning systems. It requires that replay of Ligado’s previous incarna- the adjacent band should limit noise Stay Informed. Stay Connected. tion, LightSquared. increases to 25%. Stronger interfer- Extensive U.S. Transportation ence threatens GPS performance. Department testing demonstrated Ligado’s proposal clearly fails Stay that virtually all civil GPS applica- this test, particularly for the high- Engaged. tions would be threatened, not only est-performance GPS applications. by the new 10-watt transmitters lo- So the company and its backers have cated on every other street corner, invented a new, ill-defined metric Access authoritative market insights and analysis along with company, program, but potentially by millions of Ligado’s that has no support from the GPS mobile devices. Both segments raise users who are most affected—while ﬂeet and contact databases covering the global aviation, aerospace and defense the GPS signal noise floor. ignoring the best available science Their transmitters would be 2 provided by several departments of communities with an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Membership. billion times more powerful than CONGRESS MUST PROTECT the U.S. government. Without hear- the GPS signals for a GPS user— ings or consulting those affected, the equivalent to trying to hear a whis- ’THE JEWEL OF THE U.S. FCC has apparently accepted this in- per with 100 jets taking off. Of par- vention but has not clearly explained ticular concern is the impact on SPACE PROGRAM’ what it is. aviation (including UAVs, helicop- This decision shatters the prece- ters, automatic dependent surveil- dent of allocating only quiet space- lance-broadcast, terrain avoidance and warning systems to-ground signals in this Mobile Satellite Service band to and commercial aircraft communications/air traffic con- avoid any risks of cross-interference. Moreover, it violates trol). This degradation could markedly increase the risk of an explicit promise by the FCC in 2003: “We do not intend, midair collisions and controlled flight into terrain. nor will we permit, the terrestrial component to become a GPS has been called “the jewel of the U.S. space pro- stand-alone service.” GPS equipment was manufactured gram.” In 2010, GPS won the International Astronautical assuming the FCC would keep its word. Federation’s 60th Anniversary Award as the space sys- Goldin has sounded a false alarm in saying that if this tem that has most benefited humanity. According to a decision is rescinded, the whole U.S. posture on 5G will June 2019 study commissioned by the National Institute be in jeopardy—particularly with respect to China. Facts of Standards and Technology, the commercialization of make that assertion doubtful. The lower band of Ligado GPS technology has delivered more than $1.4 trillion in frequencies in question is only 10 MHz and was never in U.S. economic impact. the FCC plan for 5G. It is an almost negligible part (less GPS has stealthily crept into every corner of our soci- than 3%) of the 350 MHz that is in the FCC plan. Become a member today. ety, from agriculture to banking to emergency respond- The GPS Innovation Alliance performed a comprehen- ers. The Department of Homeland Security has said that sive review of the order and sent it to the Senate Com- Visit aviationweek.com/AWINinfo to schedule your demo. all elements of our critical infrastructure are dependent merce, Science and Transportation Committee. on it. These myriad applications are in jeopardy. It is time for Congress to ensure that we do not place Opposition to the FCC order is widespread and consis- a major foundation of our critical infrastructure at risk. tent. The U.S. Position, Navigation and Timing Advisory For the United States, the value of this repurposing is ex- Board has strongly opposed the FCC ruling, based on sci- tremely small, and the potential damage is very great. c entific testing and analysis. Dozens of user groups have opposed the decision, including aviation associations— Adm. Thad Allen retired as Commandant of the U.S. Coast pilots and manufacturers, plus airline and helicopter oper- Guard. Prof. Brad Parkinson led the original design, development ators. Nine key U.S. departments have unanimously gone and testing of GPS. Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is a for- on record as opposed. The FAA and the National Telecom- mer Air Force fighter pilot and retired airline pilot. The opinions Or call Anne McMahon at +1 646 291 6353 or munications and Information Administration have added expressed by the authors are their own and do not represent the their strong opposition. Goldin elected to ignore all this. U.S. government or any other entity. Thom Clayton +44 (0) 20 7017 6106

66 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/AUGUST 17-30, 2020 AviationWeek.com/AWST The integrated solutions you already trust, now at hypersonic speeds.

When you need next generation strike technology, you can rely on us. We’ve successfully integrated cruise missile technology into all existing US Navy and Air Force aircraft, so we’re familiar with advancing the capabilities of the aerial battlespace. Now, we’re leveraging our expertise to bring hypersonic weapons to your platforms with speed, agility, and ingenuity. We’ve mastered cutting-edge integration. Together, we’ll do the same at speeds over Mach 5.