SINGAPORE PUBLICATIONS Airshow News « the Formal Notification Sent to the U.S

DAY 2 February 12, 2020

SINGAPORE PUBLICATIONS Airshow News « The formal notification sent to the U.S. Congress for Singapore’s plan to buy the Lockheed Martin F-35B would mean that the island nation would for the first time have short take-off and vertical landing capability in its fighter fleet. The order is for 12 jets, with the full package valued at $2.75 billion.

Training CAE expands in Asia- Pacific › page 6

INTOSH Avionics Badgers picked for DAVID M c DAVID more panels › page 18 Engines F-35 purchase to bring STOVL Safran WZ16 certified capability to Singapore skies in China › page 26 MRO by Chris Pocock Jet Aviation expands page 24 It is doubly unfortunate that Lockheed Singapore joined the F-35 program in The notification confirmed for the in Asia › Martin has pulled out of the Singapore 2003, paying to become a Security Cooper- first time that the Republic of Singa - Airshow. There would undoubtedly have ation Participant. This enabled it to receive pore Air Force (RSAF) had requested the Freighters been some celebrations within its smart detailed program status and classified per- F-35B short take-off and vertical landing and prominent chalet to mark the recent formance information. But it was not until (STOVL) version. The STOVL capability Boeing adds China and significant milestone in Singapore’s March last year that Defense Minister Dr. Ng has a particular attraction for small Singa- capacity › page 32 quest to acquire F-35 stealth fighters. Eng Hen announced that it would purchase pore, because its four airbases are vulner- Instead, the chalet is locked, and the full- four jets “for evaluation,” with an option able to attack if the neighbors should turn scale model that is usually on show out - for eight more. A letter of interest followed, unfriendly. The RSAF regularly practices Defense side lay unassembled nearby in four large and the purchase moved forward last month dispersed fighter operations from emer- Diehl adds missile shipping containers until just before the when the Pentagon sent the formal notifica- gency runways; most showgoers will have show opened. tion of the proposed sale to Congress. continues on page 38 innovations › page 36

The industry’s leading immersive visual system for fast-jet training.

Visit CAE’s Booth V87 during the Singapore Airshow to learn more.

[email protected] @CAE_Defence CAE @CAE_Defence cae.com/defence-security

Pg-1_38_d1_v3.indd 2 2/11/20 1:31 PM B:22.125" T:21.625" S:20" B:14.125" S:12.875" T:13.875"

BUILDING THE FUTURE

TOGETHER CARGO AIR VEHICLE

Job Number: 11323496 SUFFIX: CAV Client/Brand: Boeing/CORP Date: 1-29-2020 11:18 AM APPROVALS File Name: 11323496sCAV_CORP_SingaporeAirShow_r0.indd QC: Steve Jablonoski Bleed: 22.125" x 14.125" Gutter: None Publications: AIN Show News PA: Jim Barrett PR: Pat Owens Trim: 21.625" x 13.875" Folds: NoneNone Notes: None RET: Ana Pappa PP: Heather Kehoe Safety: 20" x 12.875" Media/Color Sp: Print/4 COLOR AB: Fallon Pfeiffer TM: None Scale: 1:1 Country: None Vendor: None GCD: Andy Kohman Actual Size: 21.625" x 13.875" Language: None Output%: None Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black AD: Collin Siebener Fonts: Helvetica Neue (95 Black; Type 1) CW: None AE: Michael Etzel

BUILDING THE FUTURE

TOGETHER CARGO AIR VEHICLE

ALL CONTENT WITHIN THIS FILE IS FOR OUTPUT ONLY BY END PRINTER/VENDOR. CHANGES, SHARING AND/OR DISTRIBUTING CONTENT IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. LICENSING RIGHTS AND APPROVALS MUST BE REQUESTED AND APPROVED TO/BY FCB CHICAGO. Images: 11323496C03_R0_Cargo.tif (300 ppi; CMYK), Boeing_white_60mm.eps lavatory amenity storage, the design Reduced mobility pax more allows for retrofit or line fitting in Air - bus A321 and Boeing 737 narrowbodies. Neither Boeing nor Airbus participated comfortable in ST lavatory in the design and development, but ST Engineering will need to work closely by Gregory Polek with the OEMs if an airline customer wants the lavatory line fitted, a spokes- ST Engineering has set out to debunk the reduced mobility (PRMs). In its person told AIN at the show. Although perception of an aircraft lavatory as just expanded state, the lavatory provides ST hasn’t yet signed a customer for another uninspiring, confined functional 40 percent more space than a conven - Access, the spokesperson said it has space—one that has seen little design tional design without compromising entered discussions with some inter- advancement in recent years—with an the cabin seat count and galley space. ested airlines. expandable aircraft lavatory dubbed The design allows for flight attendants ST Engineering has scheduled athletes Access. Debuting here at the Singapore to expand the unit in flight to allow from the Singapore Disability Sports Airshow, a display of the innovation entry and use by PRMs with an onboard Council (SDSC) to join the company at appears at the ST Engineering pavilion in wheelchair. When not expanded, the its showcase to experience the demon-

the exhibit hall. lavatory still offers enough space for strator unit and to provide user insights INTOSH ST engineers designed Access to normal use by passengers. to help inform any future adaptations to

aid accessibility for passengers with Filled with features such as patented the final design. n M c DAVID

STORY INDEX CAE ...... 6 PNG Air places order for EOS counter CUAS Airbus ...... 22, 23, 26 Ameco ...... 17 tech powers Ampex Data Systems ...... 10 short-field ATR42-600S Milrem Robotics Ascent Vision Technologies ...... 19 by David Donald Asia Jet Partners Malaysia ...... 10 ground vehicle Astronautics ...... 18 Papua New Guinea’s PNG Air signed for rudder is 40 percent larger by area to EOS Defence Systems (B67) arrives ATR ...... 4, 29 three ATR42-600S turboprops at the Sin- give greater yaw control authority at low at Singapore as a first-time exhibitor Bell ...... 22 gapore Airshow on February 11. ATR now speeds; the flaps deploy further, to take- with its lightweight counter unmanned Boeing ...... 14, 32 has four firm orders for the short take-off off setting of 25 degrees; an autobrake aircraft systems (CUAS) technologies. and landing (STOL) version of the twin system is fitted that applies the brakes EOS teamed up with Milrem Robot- Collins Aerospace ...... 16 turboprop regional airliner, totaling 20 on touchdown; the overwing spoilers ics (Booth C35) to equip a THeMis Controp Precision Technologies ...... 34 aircraft. In addition to the three PNG can deploy symmetrically to provide unmanned ground vehicle with an EOS Coronavirus impact on aerospace ...... 12, 30 aircraft, ATR has orders for 10 from Elix additional aerodynamic braking; and R400S-Mk2 remote weapon system Diehl Defense...... 36 International, two for Air Tahiti, and five the engine rating can be increased for with a 30 mm ATK M230 LF cannon, Dynetics ...... 28 for an undisclosed customer. The STOL improved takeoff performance. and the Rada Radar aCHR compact Elettronica ...... 34 variant is scheduled to receive certifi- PNG Air currently operates a fleet all-threat air surveillance radar system. Honda Aircraft ...... 18 cation in 2022, and deliveries will begin of ATR72s and Dash 8s on regional ser - The Defence Technology Institute of IAI ...... 19 shortly thereafter. vices in Papua New Guinea. The nation Thailand plans to evaluate the THeMIS Key features of the ATR42-600S com- has 528 recognized landing strips, of this year to determine its suitability Jet Aviation ...... 24 pared to the baseline aircraft are: the which just 26 are paved and with suf - as a supply transport and unmanned L3Harris Technologies ...... 24 ficient length to operate regular air - remotely operated weapon for the Piper Aircraft ...... 6 liners. Adopting the ATR42 STOL will Royal Thai Army. EOS is collaborating PLAAF ...... 28 allow PNG Air—which already routinely on that project with its R400S-MK2. PNG Air ...... 4 operates from the longer unpaved run- The R400S remote weapon system Pratt & Whitney ...... 23 ways—to fly into many more of these is in service with the Republic of Korea Rolls-Royce ...... 8 strips. The airline’s CEO, Paul Abbot, Armed Forces and with the Indonesian RSAF ...... 36 suggested that the network could be Army. Its R600S RWS with dual weapon increased by 10 to 15 percent with the configuration, meanwhile, is in service SAEC ...... 8 new ATRs. A government initiative with the Singapore Armed Forces. SAESL ...... 8 is seeking to extend the runways at “We continue to provide exceptional Safran ...... 26 many landing sites to the 900 to 1,000 disruptive technologies to armies in Schiebel ...... 29 meters required to safely operate the different regions,” said Milrem Robotics Singapore Airshow ...... 9 ATR42-600S. CEO Kuldar Vaarsi. “The combination of Spirit Aerosystems ...... 32 ATR’s CEO Stefano Bortoli described the extremely powerful R400 with Mil- ST Engineering ...... 4, 22 the PNG Air deal as “a perfect match rem Robotics’ robust and mission-proven Subaru ...... 22 of a solid platform to demanding oper- UGV will significantly increase firepower ations,” noting further that: “It’s about and tactical advantages of the units.” Sukhoi ...... 28, 38 regional connectivity. It’s about con - In addition, the EOS R150S ultra-light Terma Denmark ...... 19 necting communities that would not system is on display on a DillonAero Textron Aviation ...... 8, 16 otherwise be connected.” M134 7.62 mm Minigun. EOS president V-22 ...... 10 Abbot explained that there are no road Henry Heng noted the company is or shipping connections between many of predominantly export-driven and Asia- the nation’s rural communities and that Pacific is a key market. “Our new facility aviation is the only means of connecting located at the west coast of Singapore

DAVID DONALD DAVID the residents with vital services such as is one of the most advanced support The CEOs of PNG Air (Paul Abbot, left) and healthcare and medical supplies, and with YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS centers for remote weapons systems in ATR (Stefano Bortoli, right) celebrate the deal the means to improve local infrastructure Asia,” he said. K.L. www.ainonline.com to acquire three ATR42-600S turboprops. and education. n

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FLIGHTSAFETY ADVANCED TRAINING HERE FOR YOU AD - AIN - Trim: 10.8125” w x 13.875” d Bleed: 11.0625” w x 14.125” d CAE expands in Asia-Pacific to help meet pilot shortage by James Wynbrandt

Global training provider and simulator slated to open this year: the CAE New manufacturer CAE (Chalet V87) lands at Delhi Gurugram—CAE Simulation Train- the Singapore Airshow amid the compa- ing Private Limited. Located near Indira ny’s expansion in Asia-Pacific, a hotspot Gandhi International Airport, the center for the anticipated global pilot shortage. will provide a local base for airline cus- “Asia is set to have the strongest demand tomers and regional third-party operators, for pilots over the next two decades,” said and like the Bangkok facility, initially, be Nick Leontidis, CAE’s group president, equipped with a pair of CAE 7000XR Civil Aviation Training Solutions. Series Airbus A320 full-flight simulators. At the Asia-Pacific Airline Training Summit in Singapore last September, Call for Pilots the Montreal, Canada-based company Asia-Pacific will need some 266,000 new announced new training facilities in pilots over the next two decades, accord- Bangkok, Thailand; and New Delhi, India. ing to Boeing’s latest forecast, with South The Bangkok facility, located near Don and Southeast Asia absorbing 90,000 of Mueang International Airport, will sup- them, and China 124,000. A partnership port Thai AirAsia’s growth under its with UK low-cost operator easyJet that airline. CAE will recruit and train aspir- next year. Leontidis called the agreement long-term agreement with the carrier, as CAE announced in October illustrates ing pilots through the launch of a new “a resounding endorsement of CAE’s lead- well as third-party regional airline opera- one possible way to meet those needs by ab-initio Generation easyJet Pilot Train- ership in the pilot training industry.” tors. Set to open this year subject to reg- boosting the number of pilots the training ing Program. Incorporating the latest CAE is also using digital intelligence ulatory approvals with two CAE 7000XR company can produce. competency-based training innovations to enhance training effectiveness. Its Series Airbus A320 full-flight simulators Under the agreement with easyJet, and easyJet Standard Operating Proce- RISE (real-time insights and standard- equipped with the CAE Tropos 6000XR CAE will train 1,000 of the airline’s new dures, it will be the first MPL course to ized evaluations) program, launched in visual system, the center has space for up cadet pilots with its Multi-Crew Pilot include air traffic control simulation in 2018, objectively analyzes data collected to four additional simulators. license (MPL) program and provide Air- the training devices. by simulators and aircraft, with the goal In Gurugram, in India’s National Cap- bus 320 type-rating training for graduates Selected cadets will begin MPL training of improving the overall training program. ital Region, CAE is partnering with Inter- of its Integrated Airline Transport Pilot this year, and the first graduates will be AirAsia was the first RISE customer, and Globe enterprises in a joint venture, also License program and place them with the serving as easyJet copilots by the end of CAE is now offering RISE to military customers for pilot training programs; military and security forces are major customers for CAE’s training solutions. In December, CAE introduced the Piper touts updated flagship, new trainers in Singapore CAE TRAX Academy, which uses a Learn, Practice, Perform training continuum in Piper Aircraft (Chalet Q101), U.S.-based At the other end of the fleet, Piper has Airline Academy training sites) last April, combination with RISE to accelerate and manufacturer of piston and turboprop air- added two “value-priced” aircraft to its trainer the largest civilian fleet order in its history. improve military student pilot training. In craft for the training, business, and general lineup. The Piper Pilot 100 and Pilot 100i— That came on the heels of a 2018 purchase tandem, CAE launched the Sprint Virtual aviation markets, lands at the Singapore both priced at $259,000 (S$350,000)—are of 152 aircraft by China’s Fanmei Aviation Reality trainer, a self-contained training Airshow touting a new version of its flagship VFR equipped, and available in limited quanti- Technologies, Piper’s exclusive distributor apparatus and integral part of the CAE M600; two new “value-priced” trainers; ties beginning this year. Both Pilot 100 models in the People’s Republic, at the time its TRAX Academy. It includes a virtual real- and the introduction of in-house additive feature a 180-hp Continental Prime IO-370- largest civilian fleet sale. ity headset, haptics, physical flight con- manufactured parts to its aircraft. D3A engine and Garmin G3X Touch avionics. Piper’s trainers include the single-engine trols, CAE Medallion image generator, and The big news on the turboprop single Archer TX; diesel-powered Archer DX; and CAE virtual coach, enabling self-paced M600/SLS (Safety, Luxury, and Support), piston-twin Seminole and Seneca V. learning in an immersive, high-fidelity introduced in October and now in service, Meanwhile, 93-year-old Piper is bring- virtual environment. is its HALO system, incorporating Garmin’s ing its production line into the digital age, CAE has also embarked on a global Autoland, making this the first GA aircraft introducing last July its first production part expansion of its business aviation pilot to include Autoland as standard equipment. made in house with 3D printing, or additive training, announced at NBAA-BACE in Piper president and CEO Simon Caldecott manufacturing (AM) technology—a com- the U.S. in October, including the renewal called HALO “one of the most significant ponent within the climate control system. and launch of new training programs advancements in general aviation history.” Piper established an AM center in 2018 and for Bombardier, Dassault, Gulfstream, Designed for engagement in the event of has been identifying parts suitable for AM, and Embraer platforms. CAE currently pilot incapacitation—either automatically or which can save production time and cost, provides business aviation pilot training when manually activated—Autoland takes employing an HP Multi Jet Fusion 4200 3D in eight locations worldwide: Shanghai; control of the aircraft, selects an appropriate printer to create them. Abu Dhabi, Dubai; Amsterdam; London; airport, and then flies, lands, and stops the air- The Pilot 100i offers an IFR-capable upgrade “We can create parts on-demand, control and three locations in North America: craft on the runway, all while communicating package for a total cost of US$285,000. quality, increase our speed from engineer- Montreal; Dallas, Texas; and Morristown, with air traffic control facilities and passengers. Spokesperson Jackie Carlon was mum ing to manufacturing, and focus on building New Jersey. The SLS cabin features Piper’s deluxe on impending news on the eve of the show, the aircraft,” said Caldecott, noting AM has Founded as Canadian Aviation Elec- EXP interior package as standard, offering but given Piper’s recent focus on the train- resulted in savings of “up to 200 percent tronics in 1947, today CAE manufactur- color palettes with custom materials, stitch- ing market and regional demand, there’s on certain parts.” ers more than 100 full-flight simulators ing patterns and contrasting threads, along always the possibility it could announce Headquartered in Vero Beach, Florida, per year and graduates 1,500 new pilots with veneer and trim finishes. Piper’s other another of its training fleet mega sales. The Piper Aircraft is offshore-owned; the Bru- trained “ab initio” (from the beginning) pressurized M-Class models are the turbo- company inked an order for up to 240 train- nei Ministry of Finance purchased the com- to airlines all over the world, and trains prop M500 and piston-powered M350. ers from L3 Commercial Aviation (for L3’s pany in 2009. J.W. 135,000 pilots in its own simulator training facilities at more than 50 locations. n

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20_141231_2020AINAirshowNews_Singapore_Day2_PROD.indd 1 1/28/20 10:24 AM Textron enhancing support in region to bolster sales by Jerry Siebenmark

Textron Aviation (Chalet CD07) comes making a difference for our customers to the Singapore Airshow after a nearly and are influencing purchase decisions.” year-long effort to boost its support offer- In 2019, the company sold and deliv- ings in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. In ered more jets into the region than in the 2019 alone, the Wichita-based airframer past several years, Pruss added, and its of Beechcraft and Cessna turbine aircraft turboprops enjoy a high degree of pop- added a new parts warehouse in Australia; ularity in the region. According to the named PhilJets Aero Services in Manila as OEM, the Beechcraft King Air and Cessna its authorized service facility in the Phil- Caravan account for 80 percent of the ippines; and more recently announced its installed turboprop base in APAC, while acquisition of Premiair Aviation Mainte- in Singapore 50 percent of the turboprop nance’s three MRO facilities in Australia. fleet is Textron Aviation aircraft. Textron Aviation in December successfully mated the wings and fuselage of its first Cessna Those moves follow an expansion of With that in mind, the company is 408 SkyCourier prototype. The company is hoping the twin-turboprop enjoys similar demand its parts operation—to nearly 6,000 hopeful its new Cessna SkyCourier 408 as its King Air and Caravan turboprops in the Asia-Pacific region unique part numbers—at its Singa- twin-turboprop will see similarly strong pore service center in early 2018. “We demand in the region. “We believe First announced in 2017, FedEx is the and wide cabin to accept three standard continue to remain optimistic of the the SkyCourier is going to be another launch customer for the SkyCourier, with LD3 air cargo containers. In a passenger Asia-Pacific market overall,” Textron great turboprop option for customers 50 firm orders for the high-wing utility configuration, it will have seating for up Aviation v-p of Asia Pacific sales and throughout the region, especially those airplane and options for 50 more. Config- to 19 passengers, with a netted rear cabin marketing Jessica Pruss told AIN. “The operators looking to haul additional urable for both cargo and commuter oper- area for luggage and equipment. Capable investments we continue to make in not cargo or passengers between the many ations, it is designed to carry a payload of of flying 200 ktas, the aircraft is powered only our products but also our service different resort islands found through- up to 6,000 pounds with an 87-inch cargo by two, 1,100-shp Pratt & Whitney Can- and support infrastructure, are really out Asia,” Pruss explained. door, a flat floor, and a nearly 70-inch tall ada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and two, new 110-inch McCauley propellers. Development of the high-wing utility aircraft, scheduled for first flight this year, is progressing. Workers at the SAESL confident of growth in 2020 On reducing engine turnaround time, Bhangu company successfully mated the wings noted that the company is constantly working to the fuselage of the first prototype With an expanded capability for the Trent is attributed to R-R’s expanding fleet of to introduce new methods, and this includes SkyCourier in mid-December. In all, engine family, Singapore Aero Engine Ser- in-service Trent engines. SAESL’s overhaul for component repair. Textron has six flight- and ground-test vices Pte Ltd (SAESL), a 50-50 joint venture capability covers the Trent 800, 900, XWB Located on a sprawling site 10 miles out- articles for the development program. between Rolls-Royce (RR, Chalet N23) and and Trent 1000. SAESL’s component repair side the city, SAESL was set up in 1999. It A December 27 explosion at the com- Singapore Airlines Engineering Co (SAEC), is supports both in-house and global compo- started operations two years later, initially pany’s east Wichita Plant 3 building confident that its business will grow as the nent repair demand. overhauling the Trent 800 engine. SAESL didn’t harm the SkyCourier, Textron Asia-Pacific fleet expands to meet demand. The company has the capability to repair CEO Simon Middleborough said the com- Aviation officials have said. According to the company’s president for 80 percent of the engine. This includes five pany will overhaul its last Trent 800 engine On the jet front, the mid-size Citation Southeast Asia, Pacific, and South Korea, accredited centers of excellence for fan blades, later this year. Latitude continues to attract interest in Bicky Bhangu, speaking at a pre-airshow compressor blades, nozzle guide vanes, com- SAESL is one of the four R-R Trent engine the region for its performance, spacious briefing on January 20, SAESL is projected pressor stator vanes, and front combustion overhaul facilities outside the United King- interior, and low operating costs, accord- to overhaul 320 Trent engines annually, an liners. Bhangu said SAESL serves customers dom. Due to its rapid growth and expan- ing to Pruss. “And over the past couple of increase of 14.3 percent from 2019. This globally with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. sion, it has become an integral part of R-R’s years we have sold and delivered several aftermarket services. The other three are [Latitudes] into China, the Philippines, the joint venture with Lufthansa Technik in and Japan,” she said. An example of the Germany; Hong Kong Aero Engine Services aircraft configured with special missions Ltd (HAESL), a joint venture with Cathay flight inspection equipment will be on Pacific; and Delta TechOps in Atlanta, which static display at the show. is wholly owned by Delta Airlines. While it won’t be bringing an exam- Equipped with an engine test facility ple of its newest Citation jet, the Lon- within the complex, SAESL is capable of gitude, Textron Aviation expects there carrying out tests on all Trent engines. will be some conversations around the The state-of-the-art SAESL facility is the super-midsize twinjet, which received center of excellence for the Trent 900 and FAA type certification in September is also the lead MRO facility for the Trent followed by its first delivery in early XWB that powers Airbus A350 models. October. The 12-seat, $28.345 million Middleborough said SAESL has already Longitude has a full fuel payload of 1,600 overhauled the first Trent XWB engine pounds (726 kg) and a range of 3,500 from Singapore Airlines, with another nm, enabling nonstop travel with four four or possibly five in the pipeline to passengers from Singapore to Beijing be overhauled in 2020. SAESL, with a or Hong Kong to Mumbai. “We believe workforce of about 1,500 working on two the Citation Longitude will be another shifts, is the largest outfit outside the UK. impressive jet platform for our custom- Its engine pool services offer an immedi- ers in APAC,” Pruss noted. Singapore Aero Engine Services specializes in, among others, Rolls-Royce Trent engines, ate option for engine availability to the Other Textron Aviation aircraft on and it is preparing to overhaul more than 300 of the engines annually. customer on a lease basis. W.D. static display at the show will include a King Air 350i and Grand Caravan EX. n

8 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com each country,” he said, ensuring “we also Deputy PM: aviation filled do our best to sustain the flow of goods and commerce, even as we are united in our objective to protect the well-being of Singapore with opportunities our people…I am similarly confident that Deputy Prime the global aviation sector will weather Minister and by Kerry Lynch this coronavirus outbreak, much like Minister for how you recovered and emerged stronger Finance Heng Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and in the coming days, additional measures from September 11, the Global Financial Swee Keat Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat may be introduced.” Crisis, SARS, and MERS.” kicked off the opening ceremony celebra- While the situation is still rapidly evolv- And, Heng added, the future of the avi- the aviation sector to develop courses and tion on the eve of Singapore Airshow 2020 ing, he said he was glad to see the global ation sector remains bright with the num- work-study programs, such as the Insti- acknowledging global uncertainties, espe- efforts to contain the outbreak, including ber of new travelers expected to double tute of Technical Education’s SkillsFuture cially in light of the novel coronavirus, but the firm and decisive measures China has over the next 20 years from 4 billion to 8 Work-Study diploma in partnership with expressing confidence that the strength taken to contain the spread. billion. “Half of all new air travelers will MRO providers. of the aerospace sector will bring a rosier be from the Asia-Pacific region,” he said. Along with the workforce, sustained outlook. In addition, he praised the strong Growth potential in the region is strong infrastructure investment is necessary to industry support of the airshow despite The global order with a fast-growing middle-class popu- support the growth in air transport. “Sin- the coronavirus outbreak. lation and a youthful Southeast Asia in gapore has made significant investments “We start the decade on an uncertain is undergoing particular. “Hence, it is no surprise that over the past decade,” including expand- note,” Heng said in his prepared remarks. significant shifts. the Asia-Pacific is projected to become ing and updating Seletar Aerospace Park, “Global economic growth is projected the largest aviation market in the world, along with Changi Airport. “This was to be modest,” he added, saying reports Global trade, the rule accounting for more than 40 percent of the culmination of years of planning and point to tentative signs of stabilization of law, and new aircraft deliveries in the next two Jewel [Changi Airport] is now an interna- but also of a sluggish recovery. multilateralism have decades,” he said. tional icon,” he said. “The global order is undergoing sig- In Singapore passenger traffic at Looking forward, Terminal 5, to be nificant shifts. Global trade, the rule of all come under Changi airport has grown 5 percent per completed in the early 2030s “will be the law, and multilateralism have all come pressure.” year over the last decade while total aero- centerpiece,” enabling the airport to han- under pressure,” he said. Volatile oil —Singapore Deputy Prime Minister space industry output topped $11 billion dle 50 million more passengers a year, 50 prices already have fed uncertainty for and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat in 2018. “Our companies have made sig- percent more than current capacity. air travel and now the novel coronavirus nificant investments in anticipation of “As a major financial and connectiv- outbreak is a new source that is building the growth in regional demand,” he said, ity node in the Asia-Pacific, Singapore’s on apprehension. “We live in a highly interconnected including in innovation—a key growth Infrastructure Asia office can contribute “Governments across the world are world, with integrated global supply driver for the industry. to regional connectivity and integration,” rushing against time to contain the spread chains and good people mobility, which To support this, he noted a need for a he said, adding “The future of aviation is of the virus,” he said, but “until we over- has been accelerated by air travel. As skilled workforce and to work closely with bustling, dynamic, and filled with oppor- come the outbreak, we have to brace our- countries step up safeguards, we should schools and institutions to ensure updated tunities. And this industry has been resil- selves for its impact.” Passenger numbers all do so based on data and scientific evi- curriculums. In Singapore, the education ient to setbacks and surprises that have are ebbing and airlines are feeling the dence as well as the specific context of institutions are closely collaborating with come your way.” n immediate impact, he added. “Some airlines have been particularly hard hit and have resorted to substantive cost-reduction measures, including putting staff on unpaid leave and even laying off some of their workers.” This raises fears that it could have a wider impact on aviation, including aircraft orders and MRO, he said. At the airshow, Heng said exhibitors and delegations are understandably concerned about the outbreak, particularly as Singa- pore raised the risk assessment to Code Orange. “Organizer Experia Events has been hard at work as the situation evolved, making adjustments to their plans, and putting in additional safeguards for all participants, such as temperature screening,” he said. “But I am glad that most of the exhibitors have rallied together and continued with this exhibition.” He further expressed appreciation that the U.S. and China performance teams agreed to participate at the air - show despite the current coronavirus situation. “The Ba Yi Aerobatics team from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force have specially flown in for the

first time. This also marks 30 years of INTOSH diplomatic ties between China and Sin-

gapore,” he said. M c DAVID At the same time, Heng acknowledged efforts to trim parts of the show, such as Celebrating the Decade’s First Singapore Airshow limiting the number of public visitors. (Left) Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, and (right) Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, at the “Depending on how the situation changes opening-day ribbon-cutting ceremony that launched Singapore Airshow 2020.

ainonline.com \ February 12, 2020 \ Singapore Airshow News 9

Pg-9_d2_v4.indd 1 2/11/20 1:01 PM Ampex’s low-cost data unit set for UAVs, ground vehicles Ampex Data Systems has developed a new Common Architecture Recorder (CAR) to provide a low-cost option for data acquisition, recording, and network-attached storage. The unit, weighing just two pounds and with a volume of 62 cu in, can be used for applications such as unmanned aerial or ground vehicles. INTOSH DAVID M c DAVID V-22s at the Ready Backing up the support fleet at the 2020 Singapore Airshow are this brace of beefy Bell-Boeing V-22s from the U.S. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 “Flying Tigers,” which is based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan.

Asia Jet Ampex’s Linux-based Common Architecture plans growth Recorder stores up to two terabyes. Ampex (Booth R100) is keeping costs in Malaysia down by eliminating what it says are costly upgrades, while retaining the necessary features. The CAR, which can with new AOC store up to two terabytes of data, uses a non-proprietary, modular, Linux-based open architecture operating system, and permit which enables efficient addition of third- Asia Jet Partners plans to add a Bombardier Global 5000 to its fleet this spring. party applications. by Kerry Lynch A variety of data options are possible, including video with H.264 encoding, Asia Jet Partners Malaysia has become the prepares to add a second Bombardier MIL-STD 1553, and fiber and dual copper sole commercially registered private jet Global 5000 to its fleet this spring, joining As we enter our gigabit ethernet, among others. The CAR operator in Malaysia with the recent awards its sibling that is based at Subang’s Sultan is equipped with a USB Type C interface of a 9M commercial air operating certificate Abdul Aziz Shan Airport. “As we enter our fifth year and to enable direct download and carries (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of fifth year and under new ownership, our under new ownership, a five-gigabyte USB 3.1 link with power Malaysia and an air services permit (ASP) investors are very supportive of growing our investors are very delivery (USB-PD3) that enables the unit from the Malaysian Aviation Commission, our charter and managed fleet and bol- to automatically switch roles between the Kuala Lumpur-based provider said. stering our maintenance capability,” said supportive of growing USB storage or as a host computer. The approvals come as Asia Jet Partners Stutijn van Till, Asia Jet Partners Malaysia our charter and Noting the company’s history for rug- CEO, who is attending this week’s Singa- ged storage, Jim Orahood, v-p and general pore Airshow. managed fleet” manager of Ampex, said, “The CAR now As it expands its fleet, the operator — Stutijn van Till, Asia Jet Partners Malaysia CEO offers the industry a similar capability at further is laying plans to move into a new lower YOURcosts.” SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS K.L. hangar facility as part of a Subang Air- “Mature Southeast Asia business hubs www.ainonline.com port redevelopment masterplan and to such as Hong Kong and Singapore are Stutijn van increase its service offerings. becoming congested and expensive. Our Till, CEO, Asia “We are looking to establish a suite goal is to deliver a first-class experience Jet Partners of business aviation services in Malay- for private jet companies coming into ENEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION Malaysia sia that will rival the excellent facilities Subang, supported by modern facilities www.ainonline.com/alerts at Seletar in Singapore,” said Van Till. and excellent infrastructure.” n

Singapore Airshow News ainonline.com 10 \ February 12, 2020 \ AERO DEFENSE INDUSTRY ENEWSLETTER www.ainonline.com/subscribe

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7587 Mores_AIN_IntAirshowNews.indd 1 1/30/20 4:32 PM

Client: Collins Aerospace - Corporate Ad Title: We’re making more possible - Umbrella Filepath: Filepath: /Volumes/GoogleDrive/Shared drives/Collins Aerospace 2020/_Collins Aerospace Ads/_Corporate /Mores Connected/4c Ads/7587 Mores_AIN_IntAirshowNews.indd Publication: AIN International Airshow News - Feb. 11 - Day 1 Trim: 10.8125” x 13.875” • Bleed: 11.0625” x 14.125” • Live: 10” x 12.875” INTOSH DAVID M c DAVID

higher this year than in 2019. Aerospace industry braces for impact Cirium reported that China accounts for around 16 percent of global airline capacity and that if the current trend continues this of novel coronavirus outbreak is likely to drop by 8 percent. “Coronavirus has the potential to fundamentally impair by Charles Alcock 2020’s global airline capacity growth,” con- cluded analyst Henk Ombelet. Widespread cuts to scheduled airline ser- significant ever recorded for one country Taking into account domestic traffic alone, On February 7, Hong Kong Airlines vices in China and multiple travel restric- in a relatively short period of time. On 48,962 flights out of 153,843 scheduled announced it will cut 400 jobs and reduce tions imposed by foreign governments Monday, the company reported that the movements did not operate (32 percent). operations in direct response to reduced have prompted concern that the effect response to the outbreak has resulted in Chinese carriers lost between around 20 demand caused by the coronavirus out- of the novel coronavirus outbreak on the two thirds of international capacity to and and 45 percent of their scheduled flights break. Daily operations are being cut from air transport sector could prove more from China being cancelled. Since Janu- during the early stages of travel restrictions. 82 to 30 sectors between February 11 and severe than that resulting from the 2003 ary 20, around 1.4 million seats have been Xiamen Airlines canceled 44.59 percent of the end of March. The airline is asking SARS epidemic. At the same time, govern- cut from scheduled airline capacity, which flights, followed by Shandong Airlines (40.12 staff to take a minimum of two weeks ment-imposed factory closures in China amounts to more than all of the scheduled percent), Lucky Air (39.83 percent), Hainan unpaid leave each month through the end have already disrupted the aerospace sup- international capacity planned for France Airlines (38.25 percent), China Southern of June or switch to a three-day workweek. ply chain, with Western OEMs, including this week. (35.87 percent), China Eastern (26.03 per- On January 28, Cathay Pacific Air- Airbus, Boeing, and Safran, all coping with The top airlines with service out of cent), and Air China (18.95 percent). lines and its Cathay Dragon subsidiary restrictions on their operations in China. China saw cuts in international capacity According to Cirium, the most signifi- announced plans to reduce capacity by On Monday, it remained unclear to what of between 5.6 and 79.7 percent, with cant decline in both planned flights, and at least 50 percent through the end of extent China’s aviation industry might most suffering high double-digit declines. the numbers of planned flights that did March. It indicated the plans were part be returning to work after a government- Air China, China Eastern and China not operate, only began from around Feb- of a response to Hong Kong government imposed delay in reopening facilities fol- Southern were the hardest hit, along with ruary 1 when the scale of the health crisis restrictions on travel to and from mainland lowing the Lunar New Year holiday. Over Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Lion Air, became more widely understood outside China, but also due to weakening demand the weekend, state-controlled Xinhua Thai AirAsia and All Nippon Airways. China and as travel restrictions began to caused by continuing political protests news agency reported that Chinese lead- The latest OAG data also revealed the take effect. As of the end of December, that have seen marked reductions in for- ers had given clearance for businesses to extent to which cuts to airline capacity scheduled flights into and within China eign visitors. On February 5, Cathay asked “resume operation in an orderly manner” have impacted other countries, with Thai- had been expected to be around 8 percent continues on page 30 but provincial authorities appeared not land seeing the biggest drop in traffic from to have lifted all closure orders on facto- China at 63 percent, among the top 10 for ries, and staggered working hours apply in connections to China. Other countries some locations. that have taken a hit include Japan (60.1 Independent financial analysts have percent), Taiwan (62.7 percent), South warned that it could take many weeks for Korea (54.4 percent), Russia (48.1 percent), Chinese industry to return to anything Canada (46.4 percent) and France 42.1 per- like normal levels of operation. “I am cent). Hong Kong alone saw an 80.3 per- quite sure that Monday is not realistic [for cent drop in traffic from mainland China, businesses to reopen], even if virus data while capacity out of Indonesia fell by 92 are suddenly suggesting that might just be percent, followed by Singapore (89 per- possible,” Michael Every, head of finan- cent) and the U.S. (86 percent). cial markets Asia-Pacific for Rabobank The Cirium consultancy has tried to told reporters. “Many people are thinking generate a more complete snapshot of April is more realistic for the virus peak.” flight activity by tracking the number of services that were scheduled but never Airline Traffic Plummets flew. Between January 23 and February According to air transport data consultancy 4, a total of 196,487 flights were sched- OAG, the scale of the rapid reduction in uled within and in and out of China but

airline seat capacity is already the most 54,011 flights did not operate (28 percent). THURBER MATT

12 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com

Pg-12_30_d2_v5.indd 1 2/11/20 11:55 AM Ensure Your Advantage BNET ™ SDR Family A New Level of Tactical Communications

Visit us at Singapore Air Show Stand N51 weather, if there are [other] issues, it can optimize the rerouting of the airplane,” said Christensen. “And that includes… voiceless communications with ATC. So we tested new technology that allows us to do voiceless DataComm communication with the ATC…There are no communication risks and it allows us to be safer. “It helps because there is often radio frequency congestion to some of these busy airports. So the DataComm helps The Boeing us access data more readily.” 777-200 Somewhat more mundane advances ecoDemonstrator but perhaps of more interest to passen- tested a total gers reside in the so-called smart cabin, of 50 new including a moisture-absorbing Dry Floor technologies in the airplane’s lavatory made of recycled over a two- carbon fiber from Boeing’s factories. The month period. floor—part of the program’s “fresh lavatory” concept—contains minute holes through which moisture gets absorbed via the airplane’s pneumatic system. aloft, in colder temperatures. Given the The suite of technologies in the lava- Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator fact that vortex generators only come tory also includes a UV light disinfectant into use during takeoff and landing, mak- system that kills more than 99 percent of ing them retractable lessens drag during germs, a point-of-use UV water disinfec- makes airshow debut cruise. Furthermore, the shape-memory tant, and a touchless trash flap. alloys do away with the need to connect In the main cabin, recycled carpet tiles by Gregory Polek the vortex generators to the aircraft’s cover the floor. “In a triple-seven during electronic or hydraulic systems. its lifetime in airline use, about 8,000 tons Boeing’s 777-200 ecoDemonstrator has On the flight to Singapore, cargo han- The airplane’s smart technology also of carpet go to landfills,” noted Yu. “And taken its position on the static line fol- dlers watched how the “smart” LD-3 con- extends to pilot interfaces, including a so to have the recyclable carpet in there lowing the completion of its final round tainers reacted to temperature and other head-up display that attaches to a light- and tiles that you’re able to pull out cer- of testing during a flight from Boeing environmental changes communicated weight headpiece as a replacement for con- Field in Seattle to Singapore via Osaka. over the airplane’s network system. Some ventional projector/combiner HUDs. Called The widebody, making the ecoDemon- 10 percent of perishable items stored in a head-worn display, the system uses wave- strator program’s first appearance at an conventional containers spoil during long guide technology and promises a weight international air show, made the trip on trips; the ecoDemonstrator team expects reduction over current HUD systems of 69 a 30-percent blend of sustainable aviation the lightweight smart containers to com- percent. Program applications include the fuel (SAF) produced by Los Angeles-based pletely avoid the need to dispose of valu- NMA, or new midsize airplane, into which World Energy while carrying perishables able food and pharmaceuticals. Boeing continues to study a business case. in what Boeing calls a cold-chain “smart” The ecoDemonstrator program dates “The idea here is that we would allow the container in its cargo hold. back to 2012 when Boeing launched the first pilots to bring their own headset,” explained Some of the campaign’s most promis- flying testbed, a 737. The 18-year-old former ecoDemonstrator program leader Doug ing tests evaluated technologies dedicated Air China 777-200 became the sixth airplane Christensen. “The equipage on the airplane to sharing digital information between to participate with its first demonstration is lighter. It allows a more broad use of that air traffic control, the flight deck, and an flight on November 6. Ahead of the latest technology at different airports. So it’s a Universal Avionics SkyLens head-worn HUD airline’s operations center to aid routing round of trials, Boeing tested in the five pre- way of making airplanes lighter [and] more promises a weight reduction of 69 percent efficiency and safety. Others involved vious platforms a total of 112 technologies, fuel efficient, but it also adds that additional compared with conventional systems. an electronic flight bag application that some 35 of which the company employed capability across the fleet.” uses next-generation communications in production airplanes, including the wing- Other human factors-related technol- tain sections more easily rather than [the to automatically provide rerouting infor- lets on the 737 Max and glass panel touch ogies under study in the ecoDemonstra- entire carpet], you really can reduce waste mation to pilots when weather condi- screens in the upcoming 777X. tor include crew health and alertness throughout the lifetime of the airplane.” tions warrant; so-called connected cabin monitoring using several commercial Another high-tech cabin feature invis- technologies that make galleys and lava- Smart Cabin off-the-shelf (COTS) physiological mon- ible to the eye but quite evident to the tories “smart” and monitor cabin condi- Speaking with AIN just ahead of the Sin- itoring devices either worn by the pilot ears—a wireless sound system—uses the tions such as temperature and humidity gapore Airshow, ecoDemonstrator pro- or mounted into the flight deck for pas- airplane’s interior panels to emit sound to facilitate automatic adjustments; and gram director of technology integration sive data collection. The goal of the study rather than traditional speakers. The eco- cameras to provide more passengers with Jeanne Yu pointed to electronic commu- centers on demonstrating the efficacy of Demonstrator team plans to play movies a view outside the airplane. nication between Boeing’s network sys- COTS equipment for data collection and in the cabin for visitors during the show tem and a German team’s own network analysis to meet regulatory compliance using the system, including as many as system called the intelligent cabin, or for future reduced crew operations. 500 STEM students from local schools iCabin, as the cornerstone of the latest In the field of communications, the invited to tour the airplane. round of testing. program tested the use of DataComm in “We get really excited about that part “One of the reasons we chose this air- place of voice communications to give of [the program],” said Christensen. “It’s plane was that we are working with the flight crews more and better information, fun taking executives through and people industry to develop standards for onboard allowing for more efficient airplane oper- that are interested in sustainability, but network systems,” Yu explained. ation. Other operational efficiency items when you start seeing the young people While the smart cabin accounted for include a digital flight tracker, which that are really motivated and excited several of the 50 technologies tested on allows the airline and, in turn, the Federal about sustainability and innovation in the 777, the outside of the airplane car- Aviation Administration, to monitor the aviation…there’s just a buzz when we get ries “smart” vortex generators that use airplane and provide additional informa- those students on the airplane and show ‘Smart’ vortex generators retract the temperature-sensitive “shape-memory” tion to the crew to optimize flight paths. them what we’re doing. So that’s going to surfaces at altitude, reducing drag in cruise. alloys to passively retract the surfaces “So, if there are reroutes, if there’s be a highlight for us in Singapore.” n

14 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com PW_20866_RegionalAviation_AIN_InternationalAirshowNewsSingapore.indd 1

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even inhard‑to‑reach 1/28/20 8:35 AM Collins is expecting big synergies to result from UTC-Raytheon merger by Chris Kjelgaard Collins Aerospace may have to divest itself of its secure military air-to-ground communications and GPS business following the UTC- Collins Aerospace (Chalet V01) will Raytheon merger. Shareholders of the respective companies approved the deal in October last year. remain substantially intact following the completion of parent United Technolo- Collins Aerospace, itself, expects Asked if the divestiture of its military and capabilities will still exist” within a gies Corporation’s planned merger with eventually to see at least $600 million of GPS business might, then, represent future Raytheon Technologies. The Raytheon Company and Collins CEO cost-reduction synergies annually from an issue for his company following the By the end of the year, Collins Aero- Kelly Ortberg believes the merger will pro- the November 2018 merger between UTC-Raytheon merger, Ortberg replied, space hadn’t yet identified a buyer for duce substantial new revenue synergies for UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS) and “The company still has and will have GPS its military GPS business or determined his company. Rockwell Collins which created Collins; [technological] capability. From a long- when the requested divestiture would UTC’s and Raytheon’s sharehold- it has achieved about $250 million of term perspective, those competencies take place. n ers voted on October 11 to approve the them to date. But Ortberg said UTC and planned merger, which would create one Raytheon expect most of the major cost- of the world’s three largest aerospace reduction synergies from the planned OEMs overall and the second-largest mil- 2020 Raytheon Technologies merger “to itary OEM. The merger would bring under be primarily at the corporate level” of the the new Raytheon Technologies corporate parent companies. umbrella UTC’s Collins Aerospace and However, he added, “we do believe Pratt & Whitney businesses beside Intel- there will be some significant revenue ligence, Space and Airborne Systems and synergies for us in terms of [mutually Integrated Defense and Missile Systems increased business generated together divisions contributed by The Raytheon with] the Raytheon portfolio. But we can’t Company. Assuming the planned merger do any exchange [of business planning partners receive all required regulatory with Raytheon] until the merger closes.” approvals, they expect to consummate That is unlikely to be a concern for the merger in April. Collins Aerospace, which is already hard At Collins Aerospace, which is expected at work to achieve over time more than to generate higher revenues in 2019 than $1 billion of expected revenue synergies any of the other three planned Raytheon annually from last year’s merger with

Technologies businesses, “there will be Rockwell Collins. Ortberg said it expected TEXTRON AVIATION no major change in what we do” following to have achieved $175 million of those From left to right, Premiair Aviation engineering manager Andrew Ross, Premiair managing the merger, said Ortberg. synergies by the end of 2019. director Paul Montauban, Textron Aviation senior v-p of global customer support Kriya Although Collins Aerospace expects its Shortt, and Textron Aviation v-p and general manager of APAC service Gabriel Massey. business to be substantially unaffected overall by the planned UTC-Raytheon Textron Aviation acquires Australian MRO, merger, it does already know it won’t emerge from the merger entirely as it is expanding Asia-Pacific service now. In late October, officials with the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division Nearly 11 months after expanding Premiair Jandakot in Western Australia. From those asked Collins Aerospace to divest its mil- Aviation Maintenance’s authorized service, facilities, Textron Aviation will be able to Kelly Ortberg itary GPS business—which is located in Textron Aviation (Chalet CD07) acquired offer aircraft maintenance and support for Collins CEO Cedar Rapids, Iowa and which Rockwell the Australia-based MRO’s three locations its three brands—Beechcraft, Cessna, and Collins brought to its merger with UTAS— in a bid to boost its service offerings in the Hawker—including avionics services and as a pre-condition for DOJ approval of the Asia-Pacific region. “Throughout the past upgrades; scheduled and unscheduled The company still UTC-Raytheon merger. year, we substantially increased our regional maintenance; structural and component “The reason for that is there is an over- footprint, capabilities and parts availabil- repair; and overhaul and refurbishment. has and will have lap between Collins Aerospace and Ray- ity,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of In the past year, Textron Aviation has GPS [technological] theon in [the] military GPS” business, global customer support Kriya Shortt. “The added about $100 million in parts inven- said Ortberg. He told AIN in May—and Premiair team demonstrated their commit- tory and plans to expand its exchange and capability. From a long- reiterated to reporters in late October— ment to quality, relationships, and customer overhaul parts by about $30 million this term perspective, that he sees providing armed forces with care as an ASF, and now we are excited to year. It also expanded its parts warehouse secure military air-to-ground commu- welcome them to Textron Aviation.” in Singapore; added a new parts ware- those competencies nications and accurate navigation in the Financial terms of the deal were not dis- house in Australia; and named PhilJets and capabilities will GPS-denied and jammed environments as closed. Premiair operates facilities in Mel- Aero Services in Manila as its authorized representing a substantial long-term busi- bourne, Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, and service facility in the Philippines. J.S. still exist” ness opportunity for Collins Aerospace.

16 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com jet, having completed the first D-check on a 747-8 freighter for another carrier in 2018. Going forward, Ameco will provide D-check service on Lufthansa’s 747-8s and C-check service on its 747-400s. Meanwhile, the company is devel - oping capabilities to service new- generation aircraft such as the Airbus A350, A320neo and Boeing 787. Last year Ameco painted a Boeing 747-8F and an A350-900, and it plans to provide A350 C-check service for Air China in 2020. It’s also making landing gear on Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 wide-bodies a particular focus of overhaul expertise. Addi- tionally, Ameco is pioneering airborne computer testing and maintenance, and recently became the first Chinese MRO to utilize the ATEC 7 integrated automation testing equipment. In furtherance of planned international line service expansion, Ameco As it moves beyond ‘Beijing’ branding, has obtained the approvals of CAAC and EASA for its line maintenance services at Beijing Daxing International Airport and Ameco expands on global growth plans has begun providing line maintenance services for Air China’s fleet and eight by James Wynbrandt types of aircraft for third-party customers. Last year five carriers signed up for line Ameco (Chalet H65), China’s largest maintenance; and business jet support. and became the first Chinese MRO to maintenance and releasing services, and MRO provider, is showcasing its new In the engine overhaul arena, over the overhaul the powerplant. Himalayan Airlines became Ameco’s first emphasis on global support at the Singa- past two years, Ameco has upgraded its Ameco also brings extensive experi- third-party international client, bringing pore Airshow, exemplified by last year’s Pratt & Whitney (P&W) V2500 engine, ence to its widebody airframe overhaul its line maintenance customer count to rebranding during its 30th anniversary, APU, landing gear and IDG overhaul business, having provided Boeing 747-8 more than 80, their fleets including all which dropped “Beijing” from the com- workshops, and deep repair capabil- heavy maintenance service for Lufthansa in-service Boeing and Airbus models. pany’s name. Ameco also adopted a com- ity of V2500 engine parts including Airlines, Air China and an international The company is also slated to com- plementary mission statement: “To be high-pressure compressors. Ameco per- carrier from the Asia- Pacific area, in mence RON (remain overnight) check an international leading MRO company… forms V2500 engine overhauls for Asi- addition to longstanding MRO rela - service for an international carrier’s committed to providing global customers ana Airlines and is preparing for building tionships with carriers including Aus- wide-body aircraft soon at Beijing Capital with the complete lifecycle engineering up new overhaul capability on P&W’s trian Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines. International Airport, as it also gears up technology solutions for aircraft with pro- PW1100. Ameco also recently signed a (Ameco is jointly owned by Air China for beginning Comac ARJ21 line mainte- fessional, exquisite and efficient service.” long-term contract with commercial avi- and Lufthansa, holding 75 percent and nance service this year. One could argue Ameco is already a ation services provider AAR for support 25 percent stakes respectively.) Ameco is demonstrating its business leading international MRO company, of Rolls-Royce RB211 engines, to include Last August, Ameco and Lufthansa aviation support capabilities—the fourth providing line maintenance, airframe, engine repairs, exchanges, and leasing signed an agreement on Boeing 747 air- pillar of its expansion plans—in dramatic engine, APU, component, landing gear, services. Also recently, Ameco unveiled frame overhaul services, and the MRO fashion in Singapore this week, debuting and aircraft cabin solutions as it does its new capabilities for the GTCP331- recently completed the first D-Check its first full-scale cabin interior of a VIP for more than 150 domestic and interna- 350/500 APUs (Auxiliary Power Units) service for a Lufthansa 747-8 passenger completion: an ACJ319 cabin mock-up, tional carriers. Headquartered in Beijing, the design combining culture and tech- the company has branches in Chengdu, nology to create a high-quality, innova- Chongqing, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Hohhot, tive smart cabin. This follows the success Shanghai, Wuhan, Guiyang, Guangzhou, of Ameco’s ACJ320neo business jet cabin and Wenzhou, as well as more than 200 concept design, “Nature’s Touch,” cre- maintenance stations in China and inter- ated with Lufthansa Technik, which won nationally. It holds maintenance licenses last year’s Red Dot Award at the interna- from more than 30 countries or regions, tional design competition. including CAAC, FAA, and EASA. Its dedicated business jet completion To support its ambitions, Ameco plans and maintenance hangar can accom- significant infrastructure investments modate a wide-body aircraft or three over the next five years, including a two- narrow-body aircraft simultaneously, bay hangar at Beijing Daxing International and it has two cabin interior manufactur- Airport; a two-bay hangar for A350 over- ing workshops for completions. Ameco haul in Chengdu; a one-bay hangar for an has also introduced Ameconnect, a pro- A330 or two A321s in Hangzhou; a one-bay prietary Ground-to-Air Wi-Fi connec- hangar in Wuhan; and a one-bay hangar tivity system it can now offer business in Guiyang both for narrow-body aircraft aircraft completions and refurbishment overhaul, as well as new workshops for customers. cabin interiors. As for in-service support, Ameco has performed heavy maintenance on busi- More MRO Capabilities ness jets including BBJs and ACJs, and Meanwhile, an expansion of MRO capa- offers “one-stop” technical solutions cov- bilities is currently underway, focused on ering their life cycle service, from design four key service areas: engine overhauls; As part of its global efforts to take on more work in the global MRO arena, Ameco has boosted or modification to on-site production and wide-body airframe overhauls; global line its maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities for large engines and APUs. continuous operation. n

ainonline.com \ February 12, 2020 \ Singapore Airshow News 17

Pg-17_d2_v1.indd 1 2/10/20 3:10 PM Astronautics Badger digs into new display contracts by Kerry Lynch

Astronautics is capturing a number of president Chad Cundiff said, “We pro- contracts for its latest generation of Bad- vided an incremental, modular solution ger integrated flight displays, including for retrofitting the P-3 fleet that limits from the U.S. Customs and Border Pro- aircraft downtime and met our custom- tection (CBP) and the Peruvian air force er’s budget and schedule needs. This (FAP). In addition, the latest iteration of cost-effective approach is a key element the display family is now standard on Bell in support of CBP’s objective to keep the 412EPX and 429 helicopters. P-3 flying to 2030 and beyond.” For the CBP, Astronautics replaced pri- The new LCDs use LED backlights that mary flight and navigations avionics on 14 run cooler with less power and support Astronautics Badger displays brighten up this Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion’s flight deck. Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion Long Range more vibrant color displays. Tracker (LTR) and Airborne Early Warn- Astronautics has provided systems for functionality, and additional safety fea- with flight tests, and program architec- ing (AEW) tactical turboprops. the P-3 since the early 1960s, beginning tures providing information such as traf- ture and documentation. The P-3s were fitted with four 6x8-inch with attitude direction and horizontal fic, terrain, and weather. Under the agreement with Bell, Astro- multifunction displays, including two situation indicators and in the late 1990s nautics is providing its updated Badger primary and two navigation. Astronau- provided a first-generation electronic Further Functionality Pro+ displays for the Bell BasiX-Pro cock- tics (Booth N29) tied in existing software flight instrument system, moving the air- To be completed in early 2021, the suite pit, replacing Rogerson Kratos displays. In from the legacy displays, a move that kept craft to glass panels. will include six 6x8-inch electronic flight the works for several years, Astronautics costs down and minimized training. The The FAP contract, meanwhile, is a instrument/engine instrument and cau- has secured FAA TSO for the Badger Pro+ LCD panels improve view angle perfor- follow-on flight deck modernization for tion advisory system displays with dual line, and the flight displays are already mance and color rendering while running another L-100 transport, the civil version engine data concentrator units. Astronau- approved on both the 412EPX and 429. cooler with less power. In addition, Astro- of the C-130. Astronautics is the prime tics is integrating the flight management The first few Bell 412EXPs have rolled off nautics furnished spares and provided contractor on the military service’s Avi- system, GPS, and autopilot/flight director the production line adapter harnesses for equipment testing onics Upgrade Program (AUP), switching from other suppliers, along with naviga- Astronautics is providing four and installation integration. out legacy systems with a glass suite that tion and communication radios. 6x8-inch high-resolution displays for Noting the systems were delivered will enhance situational awareness with Astronautics is further supporting the the BasiX-Pro flight deck of the 412EXP on time and on budget, Astronautics digital interfaces and displays, improved FAP with technician training, assistance and three for the 429. Working with Bell, Astronautics customized the displays to the specifics of the BasiX-Pro flight deck, providing improved viewability to easily access primary flight, navigation, and engine data, as well as system synoptics, weight-and-balance, and checklist information, among other information. The enhanced graphics include fonts and black outline to make symbology “pop,” said Brian Keery, product strategy manager of displays and cockpit integration for Astronautics, adding, “A pilot doesn’t have to search as hard to find information. It’s a very clear display.” Along with the better viewability, the system includes new advisory vertical approach capability, LED mode-select lights on the autopilot controller, flash- ing messages synchronized between displays, clear on-screen presentation of the helicopter terrain awareness and warning system, LED-based night vision goggle compatibility, sealed enclosure with passive cooling, and seamless interface with other avionics. One of the more notable enhance- ments of the Badger Pro+ system is its video capabilities, including inputs for FLIR and cameras, accepting four video

INTOSH formats, including analog and high- definition, with full- and split-screen modes

DAVID M c DAVID with pan, zoom, and rotation capabilities. While the display suites each incor- HondaJet Debuts at Singapore Airshow 2020 porate new and enhanced features, they Honda Aircraft (Chalet CD15) is marking the Singapore Airshow debut of the HondaJet Elite with a new certification in hand. The Pakistan Civil build on the heritage of the ruggedness Aviation Authority is the latest to validate the very light twin-jet. Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said the appearance at of the Badger family that has been proven Singapore Airshow 2020 “indicates our determination to increase our presence in Asia.” Honda Aircraft, which has delivered more than 140 over one million flight hours on aircraft of the type worldwide, now has a sales and service footprint in North America, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, such as the Pilatus PC-7, Boeing 747, and India, and Japan. Bell UH-1, Astronautics said. n

18 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com

Pg-18_d2_v2.indd 1 2/10/20 1:23 PM Terma deal equips ANG F-16 pylons with flare dispensers by Ian Sheppard

The NATO Support and Procurement when operating from deployed bases. new ANG Terma pylons will feature flare advanced variant as both left- and right- Agency (NSPA) has awarded Terma Den- The upgrade will include Pylon Inte- dispensers, and EW core pylons will have hand pylons are equipped with three mark a contract valued at $84 million grated Dispensing System Universal all the hardware for smart dispensing of, chaff/flare dispenser magazines, said for it to deliver new pylons for U.S. Air (PIDSU) electronic warfare (EW) core for example, expendable active decoys Terma. This was made possible, added the National Guard (ANG) Lockheed Martin pylons (with provisions for future mis- and multi-shot flares. company, “by introducing a new compact F-16s, through a contract with the F-16 sile warning system installation), as well “This program will potentially pave the variant of the Terma Digital Sequencer System Program Office (SPO). Deliver- as Flare-Up flare dispenser kits and test way for additional export contracts from Switch, which allows the installation of ies will take place over a five-year period adapters. Originally designed for chaff other F-16 countries,” said John Rygaard, the additional dispenser magazine.” starting in late 2020. dispensing, the Flare-Up flare dispenser Terma Aeronautics business development Terma has been providing pylon-based Terma (Booth N93) said the contract modification kit was developed for PIDSU director. European F-16’s are already solutions for improved self-protection comes as the danger of infrared seeker and comprises special magazines and a equipped with PIDS+. since 1988 and has produced more than threats, such as manpads (man-portable modified breech plate. In the U.S., the ANG PIDSU and EW 1,000 new and modified/retrofitted air defense systems), increases, especially Once implemented, all the existing and core pylon configuration is the most pylons for F-16s with EW capabilities. n

IAI wins contract to supply wings for T-38C Talons by David Donald

At the end of last month Israel Aerospace and nearly 1,200 had been built by the Industries (IAI) was awarded an indefi- time production came to an end in 1972— nite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) mostly for the U.S. but also for export contract to build wings for the Northrop customers such as West Germany and T-38C Talons in service with the U.S. Air Turkey. In the 2000s most were upgraded Force. Worth $240 million, the work to T-38C standard with structural and avi- will be performed by IAI’s Lahav aero- onics upgrades, including the installation structures business, part of the Aviation of a glass cockpit. Group at Lod. The T-X program to replace the T-38 Managed by the Air Force Sustainment was repeatedly postponed in favor of more Center at Hill AFB, Utah, the contract is pressing requirements until the Boeing/ due to deliver wing sets through 2033. IAI Saab T-7A Red Hawk was selected in Sep- first started building wings for the T-38 tember 2018. The T-7A is not scheduled to Ascent Vision counters unmanned aerial in 2011 and won this latest contract in reach IOC until 2023/24, and full imple- competition with three other bidders. IAI mentation of the contracted 351 aircraft systems with multi-mission imager Lahav also builds wings for the Lockheed will take many more years. Rewinging Martin F-16 and F-35 programs. the T-38 fleet—which currently numbers Ascent Vision Technologies (Booth B67) is improves detection, identification, and The T-38 supersonic advanced trainer around 500 aircraft—is necessary to allow showcasing this week at Singapore 2020 tracking capabilities of small UASs to officially entered U.S. Air Force service it to meet training requirements until the its just-launched next-generation multi- help combat drones at sea. The optic in its original T-38A form in March 1961, T-7A can fully replace it. n mission imaging system for maritime count- system provides automated slew to hone er-UAS (CUAS) and intelligence, surveil- in on a detected object, facilitating inter- The T-38C has been lance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. pretation and identification. in service since 1961. Dubbed CM262M, the compact, portable, “A superior optic is a vital component This example operates multi-mission optic system includes full of an effective counter-UAS system as with the 560th Flying high-definition video, four-sensor configu- it provides necessary information on Training Squadron at ration, and a higher-power video processor. the characteristics of the sUAS to the Randolph Air Force An IP67 rating ensures performance reliabil- operator, allowing for positive identifi- Base, part of Joint ity in harsh sea conditions. cation,” said Ascent Vision president Lee Base San Antonio When integrated into Ascent Vision’s Dingman. “Once correctly identified, the in Texas. This is eXpeditionary Mobile Air Defense Inte- appropriate action can be taken against scheduled to be the grated System (X-MADIS), the CM262M the airborne system.” C.T. first base to host the new T-7A Red Hawk.

ainonline.com \ February 12, 2020 \ Singapore Airshow News 19

Pg-19_d2_v3.indd 1 2/10/20 4:29 PM Reﬂ ecting on the past. Looking to the future.

Our 600+ airline customers have helped CFM defi ne the power of fl ight and these relationships have been the very heart of our business for more than four decades. Today, we have the power to redefi ne the future. Extraordinary together.

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C39874.010_CFM_Paris_Reflections_AIN Airshow Daily_352x550_DPS_v1.indd All Pages 04/06/2019 16:41 Reﬂ ecting on the past. Looking to the future.

cfmaeroengines.com

CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines

C39874.010_CFM_Paris_Reflections_AIN Airshow Daily_352x550_DPS_v1.indd All Pages 04/06/2019 16:41 ST Engineering celebrates A321P2F milestones by Gregory Polek

ST Engineering, Airbus, and their Elbe and fuel-efficient freighter options,” said Flugzeugwerke (EFW) joint venture Lim Serh Ghee, president of ST Engineer- achieved new milestones for their A321 ing’s aerospace sector. passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion Under the terms of the joint ven - with the first post-conversion flight test ture contract signed in 2015, ST Engi - for the prototype A321P2F and new orders. neering assumed responsibility for the The first flight test for the prototype, engineering development phase, up to scheduled for redelivery to launch cus- obtaining the STC from EASA and the The first A321P2F takes flight on January 22. tomer Vallair, took place on January 22 U.S. FAA. Airbus contributes to the pro- after undergoing conversion at ST Engi- gram with OEM data and certification Engineering aircraft leasing joint ven- announced on June 20, 2019, BBAM neering’s facility in Singapore. ST Engi- support, onboard computer develop- ture—and Qantas for the conversion signed an agreement in December for neering expects to receive a supplemental ment, airframe engineering, flight phys- and leasing of an A321P2F. The aircraft, several A321P2F conversions. The first type certificate (STC) from the European ics, and flight-testing expertise, while slated for conversion at ST Engineering’s A321P2F unit for BBAM arrived for con- Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by EFW serves as the STC holder, leads facility in Singapore and delivery at the version at ST Engineering’s facility last the end of this year’s first quarter. the overall program, and does market- end of 2021, now operates under lease in month, and conversion of the second “After our A321P2F unit receives certifi- ing and sales. passenger duty for Qantas. unit will start in March. cation and starts operating, we expect our In other significant milestones, the Meanwhile, two new orders from ST Engineering is showcasing its P2F program to gain greater traction, joining program gained traction among oper- BBAM, a global aircraft lease manage- solutions together with other aerospace our pool of Airbus P2F platforms to pro- ators and lessors with a letter of intent ment firm, mark another milestone for capabilities at the aviation cluster of the vide the global air cargo market with cost between Keystone Holdings—an ST the A321P2F program. Following an LOI ST Engineering Pavilion (G01). n

the UH-X, which was required to replace the aging UH-1Js serving with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The company teamed with Bell to co-develop a version based on Bell’s 412EPI, initially known as the 412+. Drawing on Subaru’s advanced technologies, notably laser-peening processes that enhance main rotor gearbox performance, the team engineered a version with improved gearbox dry-run capability and an 11 percent increase in mast torque output at speeds below 60 knots, the latter allowing an increase in maximum gross weight to 12,200 pounds (5,533 kg) for increased payload. In July 2018 the two companies announced that they would jointly pur- sue the development and marketing of a commercial variant of what had by then become the 412EPX. A prototype had already received FAA certification on July 5 following tests conducted at Bell’s Mirabel plant in Canada, where the 412EPI is made.

INTOSH Flight testing of the military UH-X got under way on December 25, 2018, at

DAVID M c DAVID Subaru’s Utsonomiya plant, where a new The Subaru-Bell 412EPX is a development of the 412EPI incorporating Subaru’s laser-peening technology in the main rotor gearbox. production line for the type has been established. The prototype performed a successful 55-minute first flight. On Feb- ruary 28, 2019, it was handed over to the Bell 412EPX makes Asia debut JMOD for ministry trials. The type is due to enter service with the JGSDF in 2022, by David Donald with 150 aircraft expected to be procured over a 20-year period. Subaru and Bell brought the 412EPX requirement issued by the Japanese min- UH-1B/204B—the original “Huey” model. In the meantime, the commercial commercial helicopter to the Singapore istry of defense (JMOD) and then tailored The UH-1J/205 followed, along with pro- 412EPX received certification from the Airshow, where the type—and Subaru it to the commercial/parapublic market. duction of the AH-1S Cobra gunship. The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau on Janu- itself—is making its first appearance in Formerly known as Fuji Heavy Indus- company also provides in-service support ary 18, and in June the two companies Asia. The two companies first developed tries, Subaru has enjoyed a long relation- to the JMOD fleet. announced at the Paris Airshow the first this latest model of Bell’s “Huey” family to ship with Bell, beginning in the 1960s In September 2015 then-Fuji received a order for the variant, which was placed by answer the UH-X New Utility Helicopter with the licensed production of the JMOD contract to develop a prototype of Japan’s National Police Agency. n

22 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com

Pg-22_d2_v4.indd 1 2/11/20 12:06 PM The future is shaped like Airbus’s blended-wing Airbus unveiled a model of a new blend- that experts still need to tackle include ed-wing-body aircraft demonstrator it has safety, manufacturability, airport access, been secretly test flying in central France and maintenance, said Dumont. “Let’s since June 2019. Measuring 2 meters be very clear; we are studying an option,” long and 3.2 meters wide, the demon- he noted. “But with what we’ve done, strator has a surface area of about 2.25 we’ve already learned a lot. It has clearly sq m. Airbus says the design carries the helped us understand the flight behav- potential to reduce fuel consumption by ior, which is the core of what we need to up to 20 percent compared with today’s study such a disruptive configuration in single-aisle aircraft. real conditions.” Speaking during the show’s opening While conventional aircraft designs day, Airbus engineering boss Jean-Brice have proved exceptionally stable, delta Dumont explained that a secondary ben- wings have not, so developing a less-sta- efit centers on opening new possibilities ble formula raises some fundamental for propulsion system type and integra- questions about the extent to which tion, as well as a versatile cabin. flight controls would need improve - Although not new to the aerospace ment. According to Dumont, such devel- industry, the blended-wing concept shows opment cannot amount to a so-called more promise than ever due to advances in “moon shot.” Other questions that still weight reduction and flight control tech- need answering include optimal engine Pratt & Whitney plant logs nology that raises the potential for better placement and opportunities for dis - stability, said Dumont. The time has come, tributed propulsion. he added, to make a serious effort toward Dumont said the next step toward the first year of GTF service scaling the application for passenger- development of an actual production air- carrying use to meet environmental tar- plane centers on increasing scale, some- by Gregory Polek gets such as a 50 percent industrywide thing for which he cannot pinpoint timing. reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. “The next step would be flying at a larger Celebrating the first anniversary of the and cross-trained on different engine “The concept of a Skunkworks or [flying scale,” said Dumont. “But I wouldn’t tell opening of GTF engine overhaul capa- platforms and highlights the fulfilling wing] demonstrator was invented a while you what because I do not know.” bility at its Eagle Services Asia (ESA) career opportunities that the aerospace ago,” conceded Dumont. “But sometimes He added the eventual resulting aircraft facility, Pratt & Whitney reported at the industry offers.” we need to reinvent ourselves. I really would naturally more likely succeed an Singapore Airshow’s opening day that it Adopting advanced technologies, auto- think that demonstrators accelerate existing narrowbody than a larger aircraft. expects to double the number of engines mating some processes, “going wireless,” [advancements]. Predevelopment of new “It’s principally a stable formula. Now we processed at the plant since the first over- and ensuring continuous learning and technologies is key.” need to learn more,” stressed Dumont. haul in January 2019. The line capability development for employees in its oper- Launched in 2017, the two-and-a-half to “We will need to simulate a lot before we accounts for part of Pratt & Whitney’s $85 ations has further enhanced engine over- three-year project centers mainly on test- really learn something about scalability. million modernization of the Singapore haul from disassembly to reassembly and ing flight controls. So far the testing has Generally, for this kind of aircraft, you’d facility, one of three GTF engine centers testing, said Pratt & Whitney. The com- helped engineers better understand flight better start small. I’m not telling you Air- in the Asia-Pacific region. pany flew in leading expert trainers to controls in real conditions, said Dumont, bus’s intention; I’m telling you the basic The modernized facility can accommo- groom employees based locally on dis- who added that results have proved principles of design. But it will more likely date multiple engine overhaul lines for assembly, assembly, and testing. It also encouraging enough to proceed toward be the successor of a smaller aircraft than a variety of engine models, namely the conducted benchmarking trips to Pratt & more extensive study. Other imperatives a very big one.” G.P. PW4000 family, the GP7200, and now Whitney and other engine centers around the PW1100G geared turbofan. the world to strengthen the local knowl- “More than 60 percent of our global edge base at ESA. GTF fleet is currently flying in this region, “Our customers for both the GTF and and Asia-Pacific is home to a number GP7200 engines and existing PW4000 of carriers that operate GTF-powered fleet have witnessed the benefits from A320neo aircraft in their fleet,” said our investments in an upgraded ESA Brendon McWilliam, executive director facility to integrate technologies, auto- of Asia-Pacific aftermarket operations. mate operations, and expand output,” Of course, the GTF line also benefits explained ESA general manager Ying-Ki- the Singapore economy, opening several ong Yip. “Beyond increasing productivity jobs and cross-training opportunities and efficiency, our success in up-skilling for locals. our workforce at the Singapore engine “The opening of the GTF line under - center enables us to further support scores Singapore’s position as a leading growing MRO needs for the Asia-Pa - MRO hub for the region and its contri - cific region in the coming years, against bution to the global aerospace value a backdrop of rising travel demand by chain. We are excited to be a key part of consumers here.” Pratt & Whitney’s efforts to Go Beyond Singapore is a member of the global for its GTF airline customers in the network of MRO facilities that service Asia-Pacific region,” said Gian Yi Hsen, the GTF engines. The GTF MRO net- executive director of conglomerates at work spans three continents, consisting

the Singapore Economic Development of engine centers operated by Pratt & INTOSH Board. “This investment also creates Whitney, MTU Aero Engines, Japanese

new opportunities for our local engi - Aero Engines, Lufthansa Technik, and M c DAVID neers and technicians to be up-skilled Delta TechOps. n Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus executive v-p engineering, and the blended-wing design.

ainonline.com \ February 12, 2020 \ Singapore Airshow News 23

Pg-23_d2_v5.indd 1 2/11/20 2:42 PM repair facility for Gulfstream aircraft, and an Jet Aviation commits to approved Boeing BBJ line and base maintenance station. Interior refurbishment work is another facility specialty, with state-of- sustainability in Singapore the-art upholstery and woodworking capabilities, and paint spray booths. by James Wynbrandt At its Hong Kong location, Jet Aviation offers base maintenance and AOG support; With global focus on the environmental and diverting the majority of construction scheduled and unscheduled line mainte- impacts of flight operations growing, busi- waste from landfills. The facility is also the nance; airframe and minor engine repairs; Jet Aviation is here showcasing its extensive ness aviation services provider Jet Aviation first supplier at Van Nuys to offer sustain- avionics modifications, inspections and interior capabilities. (Chalet CD47) is affirming at the Singapore able aviation fuel (SAF), and the first Jet defect rectifications; and Gulfstream Airshow its commitment to industry-wide Aviation site to offer SAF. (Other features Factory Authorized Warranty Service for P&WC’s facilities approved to support sustainability goals. “We are committed to of the facility include the new hangar’s 30-ft. G450/G550 /G650 aircraft, and Dassault P&WC’s diagnostics products. investing in solutions that provide busi- clearance, accommodating newer large air- Falcon Authorized Warranty Line Service In addition to FBO and MRO services, ness aviation owners and operators the craft, including the Gulfstream G700 and for Falcon 900EX and 7X series jets. Jet Aviation is known for its luxurious choice to contribute to sustainable avia- the Global 7500.) Jet Aviation’s commitment to Asia-Pa- custom VIP aircraft interior completions, tion,” the company told AIN on the eve of Sustainability features were also incor- cific is underscored by last year’s pur- and the company is also putting a focus on the gathering at Changi Exhibition Center. porated in last year’s $25 million upgrade chase of Hawker Pacific, which added 19 these bespoke services during the event. Underscoring that dedication, Jet Avia- of its Teterboro Airport facility in the locations—including 7 FBOs, 14 MRO “Asia continues to be an important tion is highlighting in Singapore collabo- U.S., another bizav capital, and in the new facilities and more than 400,000 sq ft market for both narrow- and widebody rations with several partners “to offer and widebody hangar at its Basel completion of hangar space across the region and completions,” said Matt Woollaston, v-p test viable options that promote sustain- center, which opened the prior year. the Middle East—to its global network. completion sales, looking ahead to the week. able aviation.” Jet Aviation has facilities in 13 locations The Hawker Pacific facility at Shang- “Over the past year, we have redelivered Yet sustainability, like charity, begins in the U.S. and Caribbean, and construc- hai’s Hongqiao Airport continues to host several completion projects into the region, at home, and the Swiss company is also tion and renovation are underway or ABACE, Asia-Pacific’s largest annual busi- and we are currently working on a number highlighting infrastructure upgrades at its pending at six of them. ness aviation event. of other projects from the Asia market.” facilities worldwide incorporating the latest But Asia-Pacific is another key market for At Changi this week, Jet Aviation is In its home European theater of sustainability design principles. Last month Jet Aviation, and its flagship MRO facility noting Hawker Pacific’s Cairns, Aus- operations, Jet Aviation is highlighting the company opened its new FBO terminal is at Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park tralia MRO has recently received FAA the recent IS-BAH Stage 1 Registration and hangar facility in Van Nuys, California, at Seletar Airport, where it has been pro- authorization to install its aural alerting approval for its Amsterdam and Rotter- in the U.S.—one of the world’s busiest busi- viding maintenance and AOG services for equipment on Pratt & Whitney Canada dam FBOs in The Netherlands; both are ness aviation hubs—built to LEED (Leader- almost 20 years. Jet Aviation also provides (P&WC)-powered aircraft. The new Aux- expected to achieve IS-BAH Stage 2 Reg- ship in Energy and Environmental Design) FBO services at both Seletar and Changi air- iliary Aural Alerter System alerts pilots istration by year’s end. silver specifications. This includes the ports. The Seletar facility holds EASA and with an aural warning as they approach an Jet Aviation is owned by publicly traded use of regional materials, energy-efficient FAA repair station approvals and is a fac- exceedance, and the Cairns repair organi- General Dynamics, which also owns Gulf- lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures, tory authorized service center and warranty zation is the only one in the world outside stream Aerospace. n

imaging, and targeting. Space & Airborne manufacturers’ 747s for use as flying test- Systems specialties include avionics, beds for new powerplants; and modifying situational awareness solutions, space a 747 SP for NASA’s SOFIA program, the payloads, and optical and wireless net- world’s largest airborne observatory. working, while Communications Systems The MRO center includes a paint bay covers broadband communications, night that can accommodate large civilian vision, and public safety. and military aircraft including the Boe- But L3Harris Aviation Systems is center ing 747-8 and Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, and stage in Singapore, with products ranging L3Harris recently highlighted its paint from airport security and data link com- capabilities, which extend far beyond munication to UAVs, collision avoidance “austere military paint specifications,” systems and flight recorders. Commer- said Jon Piatt, L3Harris’s v-p and general cial and military training systems include manager. In November, L3Harris show- flight and maintenance simulation; its cased the complex new livery it applied Link Training & Simulation business to a 787—the facility’s third wide-body L3Harris Technologies traces its roots to the pioneering simula- custom paint completion of 2019. tor manufacturer founded by Ed Link. The 73,000-sq-ft (6,500-sq-m) paint L3Harris Aviation Systems also pro- bay includes multiple onsite component struts post-merger profile vides a suite of M3 solutions—mission- paint booths. Its analog HVAC system was ization, modernization, and maintenance, recently replaced with the latest digital by James Wynbrandt repair, and overhaul (MRO)—for military, technology for temperature and humidity government, and commercial custom- control in a multi-million-dollar upgrade, L3Harris Technologies (Chalets V73 and Its products and services are delivered ers, and specializes in complex wide- allowing L3Harris’s paint specialists to CS46) alights at the Singapore airshow from four divisions: Integrated Mission body aircraft modifications. An FAA-/ produce custom paint jobs on a variety just months after the publicly traded Systems, Space & Airborne Systems, EASA-approved repair station with FAA of aircraft. Rounding out its M3 portfo- U.S. company was created through the Communication Systems, and Aviation Organization Designation Authoriza- lio, the enhanced paint capabilities make merger of aerospace and defense systems Systems. It is doubtless that something tion, the division’s Waco, Texas facility L3Harris “uniquely positioned to offer provider L3 Technologies and the Harris among its span of offerings is of profes- has completed projects on more than 95 world-class aircraft paint services as part Corporation, a major technology devel- sional interest to every attendee at the platform types, including over 50 head- of our maintenance, repair, and overhaul oper. The merged company is the world’s Changi Exhibition Center. of-state aircraft completions, receiving solutions,” Piatt said. sixth-largest defense company, with some Integrated Missions Systems offerings more than 55 STCs along the way. Nota- Headquartered in Melbourne, Flor- 48,000 employees in more than 400 loca- include intelligence, surveillance, and ble projects include modifying Virgin ida, L3Harris has additional facilities in tions, customers in over 100 countries, reconnaissance systems, and electro- Orbit’s 747-400 for use as an airborne sat- locations including Arlington, Texas, and and revenue of $17 billion last year. optical systems including infrared, laser ellite launch platform; modifying engine Rochester, New York. n

24 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com

Pg-24_d2_v5.indd 1 2/11/20 9:42 AM There’s only one aircraft that DELIVERS IT ALL.

U.S. +1.844.44.TXTAV | ASIA-PACIFIC +1.316.517.8270 | CESSNA.COM/LONGITUDE

CAC3128_Longitude Sunset Delivers It All - Interior_AIN_10.8125x13.875.indd 1 1/21/20 10:28 AM Client: Textron Aviation Ad Title: Longitude Sunset Delivers It All - Interior Publication: AIN Airshow News (Day 2) Trim: 10.8125” x 13.875” Bleed: 11.0625” x 14.125” money,” explains Airbus Australia Pacific managing director Andrew Mathewson. “Our objective is to exercise the Com- monwealth’s Smart Buyer provisions, bring the decision forward, and perform modest, low-risk and relatively inexpen- sive life extensions to Tiger to take it out to 2040. We feel that by taking Tiger out to 2040 with these upgrades, we can actu- ally bridge—in a low-risk and credible way—the gap until FARA could reason- ably be expected to be delivered.” Airbus Australia Pacific Australia acquired the Tiger ARH under is proposing upgrades its previous Air 87 project, and the first to the workhorse Tiger units were delivered in December 2004. that will sustain the All 22 helicopters remain in service and aircraft in Australia’s today serve with two reconnaissance fleet through 2040. squadrons with the 1st Aviation Regiment in Darwin. A small number are also used by the Army Aviation Training Centre (AAvnTC) at Oakey in Queensland. The Tiger has had a poor reputation since Airbus ups ante in armed recon helo tender entering service, has been criticized for being technically immature when purchased, by Nigel Pittaway and has suffered from high cost of ownership and poor availability rates. The helicop- Airbus Australia Pacific is proposing the Bell has teamed with BAE Systems Aus- upgraded Tiger/H145M under the Com- ter was singled out for criticism in the 2016 Australian Government scrap its replace- tralia, in a partnership first announced at monwealth Acquisition and Sustainment Defence White Paper, and in the same year, ment Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter the Singapore Airshow in 2016, to offer its Group’s “Smart Buyer” methodology. it was the subject of an unfavorable Austra- (ARH) competition and instead adopt the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter. Under the The Smart Buyer mechanism was intro- lian National Audit Office (ANAO) report. company’s unsolicited bid to upgrade the agreement, BAE Systems Australia will duced in 2016 and enables the Australian Following a great deal of remedial work Australian Army’s current Tiger helicopters. act as the in-country support and training Government to make rapid defense acqui- across CASG, the Australian Army and Also included in the bid are seven partner for the U.S. manufacturer. sition and sustainment decisions where industry, the helicopter is now perform- H145M armed light utility helicopters, A Request for Information (RFI) was an individual case merits it, rather than ing well and is highly regarded. Recent which it says, together with a Tiger released to industry in July 2019 and running a long and expensive competition. figures suggest a 92% successful mission life-extension and upgrade program, will the published project timetable calls The Australian Army is closely watch- completion rate, with cost per flight hour save the Commonwealth about three bil- for a Request For Tender (RFT) in the ing the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift reduced by 30 percent since 2014. lion Australian dollars (US$2.1 billion) 2022 timeframe, with a preferred bidder (FVL) and Future Attack Reconnaissance “Tiger today is not the same platform between now and 2040. It says the figures selected in 2023. Aircraft (FARA) programs and Land 4503 reflected in the 2016 White Paper. It is are based on the Australian government’s Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is is seen by many as an interim capability. performing very well, our customer loves cost projections for a replacement armed expected in 2026 with Final Operational “To replace an armed reconnaissance it, and we think it matches the RFI very reconnaissance helicopter, being calcu- Capability (FOC) following around 2028. capability right now and to spend three closely,” Mathewson says. “The Common- lated under Project Land 4503, estimated However, the Airbus proposal is for the billion dollars more to buy a helicopter wealth is seeking a mature, proven, armed to be around four billion Australian dol- Australian Department of Defence to that will offer the same capability as a reconnaissance helicopter and that’s lars (US$2.75 billion) out to 2040. make an early decision and select the Tiger, I think would be a waste of taxpayers’ exactly what they have with Tiger.” n Airbus will upgrade and support the Tigers through its local facility in Bris- bane. The proposed work will include a life-extension program to address obsolescence issues and an incremental capability Safran-AECC WZ16 upgrade that will add new sensors, avionics, and a communications system. The latter helo engine certified will include full integration with the Austra- lian Army’s Elbit Battlefield Management in China System and Link 16 Tactical Data Link. The seven H145Ms are in addition to the Safran’s WZ16 engine jointly developed 16 helicopters Airbus is also proposing for with the Aero Engine Corporation of China the Australian Army’s Special Forces light (AECC) has received Chinese CAAC cer- support helicopter program, which is being tification. It is the first such jointly devel- run under Project Land 2097 Phase 4. oped aero engine to be entirely certified by Chinese authorities. Also known as the Competing Bids Ardiden 3C, the WZ16 turboshaft has been U.S. helicopter manufacturers Bell and developed and built by Safran Helicopter

Boeing are competing with Airbus for the Engines (Chalet G18), with Harbin Dongan REMY BERTRAND/SAFRAN supply of 29 new helicopters, with the lat- Engine and Hunan Aerospace Propulsion Safran’s WZ16 engine, jointly developed with the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), ter offering 29 AH-64E Apaches, which it Research Institute (HAPRI), both parts of has received Chinese CAAC certification. says will be the latest U.S. Army production the AECC consortium. standard helicopter (Version 6), featuring The Ardiden 3C was certified by EASA best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, and of programs, said Chinese certification the upgraded Northrop Grumman APG-78 in April 2018. The WZ16 flight-test cam- delivers 10 percent better fuel consump- “confirms that the WZ16 is now ready to fire control radar with enhanced maritime paign started in December 2016 in the Avic tion than comparable engines, according operate in accordance with world-class modes. Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) AC352 medium twin. The WZ16/Ardiden to Safran. Chinese safety and performance stan- is offering the Apache under a combined 3C (1,700-2,000 shp) is a new design that Bruno Bellanger, Safran Helicop- dards” and is “a major step toward AC352 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct features compact modular architecture, a ter Engines executive vice president entry-into-service.” M.H. Commercial Sales (DCS) mechanism.

26 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com Pinpoint Accuracy Always at Hand

IAI’s Loitering Munitions Family. Meet us at Singapore Airshow Search Like a UAS. Strike Like a Missile. Booth N41 • Backed by over 30 years of combat experience • Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) integral assault capability for the modern warfighter • Man-in-the-Loop, intuitive target acquisition and strike • Minimum collateral damage • Abort capability • Exceptional versatility www.iai.co.il • [email protected] km. The Gripen’s Raytheon AIM-120 AAM PLAAF pilot reveals poor performance also outranged the RVV-AE at 80 km ver- sus only 50 km for the Russian missile. Li stated that the JAS 39C/D’s much smaller for Su-27s in joint exercise with RTAF radar cross-section (RCS) at 1.5 to 2.0 sq m was a major factor, as the much larger Su-27 by Reuben F. Johnson is easier to detect at 12 sq m. The JAS 39 can also ripple-fire up to four AIM-120s simul- An early December 2019 report from inside taneously but the Su-27 can fire only one of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) RVV-AE at a time. reveals previously unreleased technical Gripen achieved 88 percent of its kills details of People’s Liberation Army Air at 19 miles or greater, while the Su-27 had Force (PLAAF) Russian-built Su-27s losing just 14 percent of its kills at this range. a majority of engagements in a November The RTAF also had 10 kills at a distance 2015 joint exercise with the 701 Fighter of more than 31 miles compared with zero Squadron of the Royal Thai Air Force long-distance kills by the Su-27. (RTAF). This Thai unit operates eight Saab In subsequent exercises, the PLAAF JAS 39C and four JAS 39D Gripens. fared better by sending the Chengdu

The engagements, known as Falcon INTOSH J-10A—and then in 2019 the J-10C—in Strike 2015, were the first of three such place of the Su-27. Li pointed out that

exercises and were detailed in a lecture M c DAVID the J-10C was more of a match for the given by one of the PLAAF’s most heavily The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) debuted the Saab JAS 39C in the aerial diplay at Singapore JAS 39C/D in that “its active array radar decorated pilots, Senior Colonel Li Chun- Airshow 2018. The unit operates eight Saab JAS 39C and four JAS 39D Gripens. significantly improves detection distance ghua Hua ( ), at the PRC’s North- and multi-target attack capability, the western Polytechnical李中華 University ( advantages of the smaller and more techno- current-generation Diehl IRIS-T missile. DSI [divertless] air intake of the J-10C ) in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.西北工 logically-advanced Gripen over the Russian Once the exercise transitioned to beyond reduces the radar intercept area while the 业大学Li is one of the most experienced Sukhoi. Several of Li’s summations from the visual range (BVR) combat, the superior- PL-15 missile increases the range, making Sukhoi Su-27SK/J-11A pilots in the PLAAF exercise are: The JAS 39 performance was ity of the JAS 39 became readily apparent. it an over-the-horizon platform.” with some 3,200 hours in fast jets, much at its worst inside the within-visual-range The Swedish aircraft shot down 41 Su-27s Li also commented that the next- of them in the Russian-made Sukhoi. His (WVR) envelope. Over a two-day period, over a period of four days with a loss of generation version of the Gripen, the revelations are unprecedented and are PLAAF pilots shot down 25 Gripens at a loss only nine JAS 39s. The Su-27s flown by the JAS 39E, is likely to feature even more assessed by U.S. intelligence as demon- of only one Su-27. The Su-27 has an advan- PLAAF were operating with a modified ver- advanced combat performance. His inter- strating a growing concern within the tage over the performance of the JAS 39 due sion of the NIIP N001 radar that could fire est in the aircraft parallels an understand- officer corps about deficiencies with the to its more powerful Salyut AL-31F engines, the Vympel RVV-AE active-homing air-to- ing that the Chinese fighter industry has training regime for the PLAAF’s pilots. and the Swedish aircraft was handicapped air missile (AAM). But its effective detec- looked at the design and development These first exercises ran at Korat Royal in that it was equipped with the older-gen- tion range was only 120 km in comparison Gripen as a possible template for PRC Thai Air Force Base and showed the eration AIM-9L Sidewinder instead of the with the JAS 39’s Ericsson PS-05/A at 160 industry to follow. n

secure, the GAV is reeled back aboard the Gremlins X-61A air vehicle takes flight aircraft. The system can be adapted for underwing and internal bay use. by David Donald The Gremlins program started in 2016 with the award of Phase 1 study contracts Dynetics undertook the first flight of to four companies. Two of them—Dynet- its X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicle (GAV) ics and General Atomics—were selected in November last year, the company for Phase 2 development in March 2017, revealed on January 17. Gremlins is a and Dynetics was chosen to proceed Defense Advanced Research Projects to the 21-month, $38.6 million Phase 3 Agency (DARPA) program, handled by demonstration in April 2018. The Novem- the agency’s Tactical Technology Office. ber 2019 flight test was an important The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility milestone along the path to achieving the of the air-launch and mid-air recovery of main Phase 3 objective of being able to low-cost unmanned air systems (UASs) recover four GAVs in under 30 minutes. that could perform reconnaissance and In February 2019 the docking system other missions in “volley” quantities. was flight-tested, while the GAV’s avion- The first flight test campaign was con- ics system was trialed in March aboard ducted at the Dugway Proving Ground Five X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicles have been built by Kratos for the Dynetics-led demonstration. the Variable Stability System (VSS) Lear- in Utah and employed a C-130A Hercu- The first was lost at the end of its first test, but the overall mission was a success. jet operated by Calspan. In August the les provided by TBM Inc., a flight test Gremlins vehicle was officially desig- company based in Atwater, California. equipped with a parachute recovery system. validates our decision to build five GAVs nated as the X-61A. The five test vehicles A captive-carry mission was conducted While the engine was shut down and drogue for Phase 3; we still have four remaining. were built by Kratos Unmanned Aerial before the X-61A GAV was launched on a chute deployed as intended, the main chute Overall, I am proud to see all the hard Systems, a key partner in the Dynetics 1-hour, 41-minute free flight. failed and the vehicle was destroyed. How- work pay off and we are excited to con- team. Other partners include Williams The flight successfully demonstrated ever, the operationally relevant elements of tinue this momentum towards the first International (engine), Applied Systems launch, during which the GAV’s wings the mission were all successfully completed. airborne recovery in early 2020.” Engineering (flight computer), Kutta were deployed and its engine started from “This flight marks a historic milestone The Dynetics Gremlins solution Technologies (multi-vehicle control sys- cold before transitioning to stable flight. for Dynetics and the Gremlins program,” employs a stabilized capture device— tem), Moog (control actuators), Sierra The GAV then performed various maneu- said Tim Keeter, Dynetics Gremlins pro- known as the “bullet”—that is towed Nevada Corporation (precision naviga- vers, during which its datalink and control gram manager. “The GAV flew beautifully behind the C-130’s ramp. The GAV tion for rendezvous/docking), Systima systems were checked. Deployment of its and our command and control system deploys a docking arm that mates with the Technologies (C-130 pylon and launch docking arm was verified, although for the kept us in total control of the GAV for bullet in a similar way to that of a refuel- controller), and Airborne Systems initial demonstration the air vehicle was the entire flight. The loss of our vehicle ing probe engaging a towed drogue. Once (recovery systems) n

28 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com Asia-Pacific offers prospects for new ATR ATR sees a market for turboprop some 500 of the ATR 42-600S, the STOL by Chris Kjelgaard version of its 50-seat turbroprop airliner. The Indonesia, Japan, and various Pacific Asia-Pacific region can island nations appear particularly strong account for some 150 of prospects for sales of the recently those, according to the launched short-takeoff and landing company. (STOL) version of the 50-seat ATR 42-600 turboprop airliner, according to the Tou- louse-based manufacturer. Japanese Government wants to invest in numbers slightly fewer than 2,500 people. potential willingness to consider allow- Zuzana Hrnkova, ATR Aircraft’s v-p of the development of additional secondary Today the only transport link between the ing Chinese airlines to order ATR air- marketing, told AIN that the company air routes directly connecting remote Jap- Ogasawara Islands—also known as the craft—and the manufacturer has begun sees the ATR 42-600S as potentially valu- anese communities to its major cities to Bonins—and the islands of the Japanese the certification process. able in Indonesia for opening new routes try to stem a continuing drain of young mainland is a long ferry journey by sea. The market potential for regional tur- to existing and new short-runway airports people from countryside areas to Tokyo While the Asia-Pacific region is ATR’s boprops in China is vast, according to on many of the nation’s islands. Last year, and other large metropolitan areas. top market globally (some 470 ATR tur- Hrnkova. Today about 90 percent of all Indonesia came in third behind India and One specific Japanese market for which boprops, more than one-third of the Chinese domestic air traffic is carried Brazil in terms of new routes opened by ATR believes the STOL type may win entire active ATR fleet, are in service on routes in eastern regions of China ATR aircraft and the vast island nation is sales is in the Ogasawara subprefecture, there) until now it has had virtually no linking cities that are also connected by today ATR’s biggest individual country some 540 nm southeast of Honshu. The sales success in China. But the company high-speed trains. However, “in the rest market in the Asia-Pacific region, she said. ATR42-600S could open air routes for the thinks that is about to change. The Civil of China, there is nothing” comparable to Some 110 ATR turboprops are now first time between its remote islands and Aviation Administration of China has that in terms of air service, “so we believe operating for Indonesian carriers— mainland Japan. Only two of the islands— approved ATR’s application to have its there is a dynamic [within the Chinese Lionair Group being ATR’s biggest Asia-Pa- Chichijima and Hahajima—are inhabited 600-series turboprop airliners certified government] to connect” larger commu- cific customer, with about 80 aircraft in and the total population of the islands in China—indicating the government’s nities in central and western China. n service in Indonesia and Malaysia—and “roughly 70 percent” of the ATR fleet in Indonesia comprises new-generation 600-series aircraft, according to Hrnkova. On launching the ATR 42-600S in Octo- Schiebel Camcopter supported river-pollution emergency ber, ATR said it reckoned the new STOL version would open up about 500 new A Schiebel Camcopter S-100 unmanned routes worldwide, of which more than 150 aerial vehicle was used between March would be in the Asia-Pacific region. The and September last year by the Three region already leads all others in terms of Tis Group to monitor river pollution in new routes opened by ATR aircraft in the Malaysia, following an emergency sit- past year, having accounted for 88 of the uation where toxic pollutants were ille- 164 new routes ATR turboprops launched gally released into the Kim Kim River, in in 2019, according to Hrnkova. the Johor area. According to Vienna, The potential attractiveness of the Austria-based Schiebel (Chalet G88), it ATR42-600S for Pacific island-nation affected more than 6,000 people, many carriers became clear from the moment of whom were hospitalized. The S-100 was ATR launched the STOL version, with Air equipped with a FLIR Systems Star Safire Tahiti becoming the launch customer for 380-HDc for multi-spectral imaging. the type. Air Tahiti will operate the ATR42- The response operation was initiated by 600S on its routes linking Tahiti with the the Malaysia Ministry of Energy, Science, other islands in the Society Islands and Technology, Environment and Climate the other island groups in French Polyne- Change (MESTECC), which collaborated sia. Hrnkova said ATR thinks other carri- with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). ers based on islands in the Pacific will be The first step was a monitoring task to interested in the ATR42-600S as well. assess to what extent the pollution had Camcopters are also being used by the Norwegian Coast Guard in the Arctic to monitor Japan is another Asia-Pacific national spread, with the Camcopter flying day and ice break-up for maritime safety. market where ATR thinks the ATR42- night for a total of around 30 hours. “The 600S will prove attractive. Three Japa- Camcopter S-100 is perfectly suited for even in adverse weather conditions. It has powered by either Avgas or JP-5 heavy nese regional carriers—Amakusa Airlines, emergency response in crisis situations,” a carbon-fiber and titanium fuselage and fuel. Along with its Vienna headquarters, Japan Air Commuter, and Hokkaido Air said Three Tis Group managing director, can carry a wide range of payloads up to Schiebel has production facilities at Wiener Commuter—already operate ATR tur- Tunku Ahmad Zahir Bin Tunku Ibrahim. a service ceiling of 5,500 m (18,000 feet). Neustadt in Austria and Abu Dhabi in the boprops, and the aircraft are popular Schiebel said the Camcopter can fly Typically, said Schiebel, it can carry a 34-kg UAE, and offices in Washington, D.C. and there with passengers on regional routes, out to a radius of around 200 km (108 nm) (75-pound) payload for up to 10 hours, being Shoalhaven, Australia. I.S. according to Hrnkova. She said the

ainonline.com \ February 12, 2020 \ Singapore Airshow News 29

Pg-29_d2_v1.indd 1 2/10/20 3:11 PM continued from page 12 Industry braces for coronavirus impact

staff to take unpaid leave for three weeks and also offered a voluntary special leave program to run from March 1 to June 30. The three leading U.S. carriers—Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines—have suspended all services to and from mainland China. Delta does not intend to resume flights until at least April 30, while American and United have said the suspension will run, respectively, through March 27 and 28. The decisions were, in part, a response to new U.S. State Department restrictions on travelers from China and advice to U.S. citizens not to travel to the country. Several leading European airlines had earlier announced a cancellation of

flights to China, including British Airways, INTOSH Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Fin-

nair, and Virgin Atlantic. M c DAVID

Health Scares Take a Toll Finishing Touches Get Heron Mk II Ready for Action At the height of the SARS outbreak in In preparation for yesterday’s opening of the Singapore Airshow, technicians assemble the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron Mk II Medium May 2003, revenue passenger kilometers Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle, which features a more powerful Rotax 915 iS piston engine. (RPKs) for Asia-Pacific airlines fell by 35 percent from pre-crisis levels. However, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), traffic an impact on demand even without travel of just 0.8 percent. The Asia-Pacific region Safran said that it has extended the did recover within nine months. Over the restrictions imposed by governments,” retained the largest share of FTKs, at 34.6 Chinese New Year break at its Chinese course of that year, airlines in the Asia- he said, while cautioning against drawing percent, even though its carriers posted a facilities until February 10. The France- Pacific region lost 8 percent of passenger early conclusions on the size of the 2019 3.5 percent decline in cargo volumes carried. based group has extensive manufacturing traffic and $6 billion in revenues. outbreak’s effect. “We learned a lot from and maintenance operations in the coun- The MERS flu in 2015, which was con- SARS,” he noted. “A lot of procedures to Supply Chain at a Standstill try, employing around 2,500 people at 20 centrated more in a single country, ini- handle a pandemic are now well estab- On February 5, Airbus confirmed that its different entities. tially resulted in a sharp slowdown—a 12 lished through the World Health Organi- A320 final assembly line in Tianjin, China, Israel Aerospace Industries’ mainte- percent drop in monthly RPKs to, from, zation, IATA, and other institutions.” remained closed following the New Year nance, repair, and overhaul joint venture and within South Korea in the first month holiday as part of measures introduced to with Lingyun Science and Technology of the outbreak. However, air travel vol- Asia-Pacific Demand Already Dipping resolve the coronavirus outbreak. Airbus Group is another operation that has been umes began to recover after two months In year-end 2019 traffic figures announced China said that it is “observing Chinese suspended on government orders. It is and had returned to pre-outbreak levels by IATA on February 6, the Asia-Pacific government requirements for staff to located in China’s Hubei province, which within six months. The 2005 and 2013 epi- region recorded 4.5 percent growth in avail- work from home and is facilitating with is where the outbreak started. sodes of avian flu had a much milder and able seat kilometers (ASKs). The numbers IT equipment so employees from all loca- However, not all aerospace manufac- short-lived effect and air travel rebounded marked a significant decline on the 8.5 per- tions including Tianjin do not need to turers are as exposed to supply chain dis- quickly as the fears of a global spread of cent achieved in 2018, which the industry travel to work where possible.” ruption in China. Embraer Commercial the virus eased, IATA observed. group said was due to factors such as the The Europe-based airframer’s statement Aircraft CEO John Slattery told AIN that “In the past, the airline industry has effect of the U.S.-China trade dispute and did not specify how disruptive the closure the Brazilian airframer has no tier-one proven resilient to shocks, including weakening business confidence and -eco of Chinese operations is proving to be for suppliers in China and that he does not pandemics,” the airline trade group con- nomic activity. Global ASK growth was its supply chain. It did acknowledge that expect much effect from disruptions at cluded in a late January statement, while 3.4 percent last year. Asia-Pacific RPKs travel restrictions are posing “logistical the small number of lower-tier vendors acknowledging the adverse timing of the increased by 4.8 percent, compared with the challenges.” The Tianjin factory makes six it uses in the country. Embraer does not coronavirus outbreak as it coincided with global growth figure of 4.2 percent, with the A320 aircraft each month, accounting for plan to make any aircraft deliveries to the Lunar New Year celebrations and region falling behind growth for Africa. almost 10 percent of global production for Chinese airlines during 2020. China’s busiest travel season. Moreover, Last year, domestic airline traffic within the single-aisle family. As they scramble to respond to the owing to the very strong growth of the China accounted for 9.8 percent of the Meanwhile, last week both Boeing and short-term fallout from the coronavirus Chinese air transport market over recent global total, growing by 8.2 percent in ASK engine and aircraft systems group Safran outbreak, aviation leaders also must con- years, an additional 450 million passen- terms and 7.8 percent for RPK. “Looking also confirmed disruption to their activ- template the longer-term consequences gers fly to, from, and within China per into early 2020, positive impact of the ities in China. for a regional economy already dented year compared with a decade ago. Many ‘phase one’ trade agreement between the Work at Boeing’s Zhoushan completion by economic uncertainty. In recent years, neighboring Asian countries, such as U.S. and China on air travel demand will and delivery center had already stopped the region has been a powerhouse for new Thailand, as well as parts of Europe and be likely countered by the coronavirus due to the ongoing suspension of 737 Max aircraft orders but that surge in demand North America, have already seen a steep outbreak in Wuhan province,” said the airliner production. The company, which might now be waning for reasons that go decline in Chinese visitors, which had IATA report. has three subsidiaries, four joint ventures, beyond the current public health crisis. accounted for some of the fastest tourism Air freight figures released by IATA on and more than 35 direct suppliers in China, This week’s Singapore Air Show, already growth in recent years. February 5 recorded the industry’s worst said that in response to government guid- diminished by multiple exhibitor with- “The recent health scare reminds us of year since 2009, with demand in terms ance it is “working through plans to delay drawals and reduced attendance, will be SARS,” Association of Asia Pacific Airlines of freight tonne-kilometers (FTKs) drop- office openings, provide masks, and offer keenly watched by analysts seeking to (AAPA) director-general Andrew Herd- ping by 3.3 percent compared with 2018 in informational briefings and facilitate work- assess the toll the anticipated downturn man told AIN late last month. “It can have response to weak global economic growth from-home options when available.” takes on aviation. n

30 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com

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Client: Pratt & Whitney - Commercial Engines Ad Title: There is no comparison. Publication: AIN International Airshow News Dubai - Nov. 17, Day 1 Trim: 10.8175” x 13.875” • Bleed: 11.0625” x 14.125” • Live: 10” x 12.875” North America, for example. “What I’m seeing is the customers that we have and new customers coming to us and saying, ‘We’ve got tails and we want to convert them,’” insisted Pratt. “So that’s just caused us to continue to go add con- The Boeing version lines and to expand our capacity. It 737-800BCF would probably be ignorant of me to say features that constraint’s not real. But it has not 12 pallet affected our growth trajectory. In fact, it’s positions been greater than we initially anticipated on the before we thought there was going to be main deck. any other constraints in the marketplace.” Although Pratt acknowledged trade tensions have affected the wider freighter mar- tooling for what Pratt characterized as a ket recently and Boeing’s market forecast for Boeing 737-800BCF defies surge line. Finally, the Boeing Shanghai Southeast Asia, for example, shows demand Aviation Services joint venture operates for just 10 new freighters over the next 20 another two lines. Boeing promises a years, he said he sees prospects broadly freighter-market ‘softness’ 90-day turnaround time regardless of the improving this year. Pratt also stressed that conversion facility, another feature of the replacement demand will account for much by Gregory Polek company’s offering Pratt trumpeted as of the BCF’s long-term sales. part of the program’s value proposition. “Obviously there are some trade tensions The recent lull in worldwide cargo traffic 2020, Pratt sees more reason for optimism. The partnerships with Chinese MROs and you have some weakened economies hasn’t tempered the ambitions of Boeing “I think Asia, in general, holds the most make sense given that Boeing expects a third and industrial activities, but we expect Global Services’ freighter business in the growth in the freighter market in our mar- of the market for the airplane to reside in that to improve next year and cargo…to Asia-Pacific region, as the U.S. airframer ket outlook,” said Pratt. “But that can be a the People’s Republic. “We see huge growth grow a couple percent in 2020,” he said. prepared to open a sixth conversion line mix…it can be China, we can look at South- freighters, and probably over 1,200 standard “The other thing about that is there’s also in China this year for the 737-800 Boeing east Asia obviously as an emerging market. body freighters in our current market out- talk about how we replace the existing lift Converted Freighter (BCF) while negotiat- And right now we have a couple of BCFs look. We see a significant portion of that in that’s out there. Just like in the passenger ing the terms of a contract with Singapore’s operating in India under SpiceJet Express. China,” said Pratt. “It’s been pretty broad market, where you introduce a more eco- BBAM Aircraft Leasing covering three of So yeah, it’s going to come from all over globally but we certainly see, long-term, nomical platform, that may be an oppor- the airplanes. The order, announced Tues- the region…and it’s pretty exciting.” China having a big, big role in that growth.” tunity for those that are operating other day at the show, calls for the conversion of To date, all but two of the 24 BCFs deliv- Chinese operators include Hangzhou- forms of lift, maybe in terms of 737 Clas- three 737s in BBAM’s existing fleet. A con- ered have gone through lessors including based YTO Airline and Beijing-based sics…Some of those things get a little long tract signed last fall with Guangzhou Air- launch customer Gecas. Boeing plans to China Postal Airlines, which took its air- in the tooth. And then you see in some of craft Maintenance Engineering Company deliver another 22 this year and, as Pratt planes on lease from Gecas. these emerging markets, this is just a really (Gameco) specifies plans to add the fur- explained, more individual operators will good platform to get started.” ther conversion capacity Boeing believes start taking direct delivery as the program Improved Market Expected Performance improvements over 737 it needs to meet the robust demand the progresses. Still, Boeing expects lessors to While the segment of the passenger- to- Classic freighters include capacity and latest order reflects. account for some 65 percent of all sales in freighter conversion business occupied by range while the 737-800BCF’s reduced fuel The BBAM order no doubt helped boost the long-term. the 737-800 has seen something of a short- burn brings clear economic benefits. The the confidence of Boeing Global Services Boeing’s agreement with Gameco age of suitable used airplanes, Pratt said BCF carries up to 52,800 pounds of cargo director for converted freighters and com- reflects the need for more production Boeing’s position as the model’s OEM has while flying routes of up to 2,000 nautical plex modifications Alvey Pratt, whose capacity as demand for the BCF acceler- mitigated the feedstock challenges, not- miles. Twelve pallet positions—11 stan- team has managed to collect orders and ates. Two other Chinese MROs provide withstanding the pressure the grounding dard pallets and one half-pallet—provide commitments for 130 of the airplanes since the current conversion capacity; Shan- of the 737 Max has undoubtedly placed on 5,000 cubic feet of cargo space on the main the program’s launch three years ago. Now, dong Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Com- the supply. Meanwhile, the company sees a deck, supplemented by two lower-lobe as forecasters predict a return to growth in pany (Staeco) now operates three lines need for further conversion capacity, possi- compartments providing more than 1,540 global freight traffic in the second half of and has begun assembling a fourth set of bly outside of China, to service Europe and cubic feet of space for bulk cargo n

creating “takt-based” production lines, “And that is something that can be powerful Supplier Spirit Aerosystems which is a German-based word and lean in terms of managing your inventory levels… manufacturing term that describes a steady and work-in-process levels, [which] helps rate of production. Ensuring its workers the business overall be more efficient.” opts for digital-factory plan have all of the tools, parts, and kits they It also includes monitoring data from need in an organized way to accomplish machines to ensure they’re operating at by Jerry Siebenmark their tasks contributes to the factory’s peak efficiency. “The digital piece of it continuous rhythm. Those principles also ensures that the factory is connected end In its bid to be more efficient and cost-com- current and future manufacturing of aero- include the use of digital work instructions to end,” he added. petitive while maintaining quality, aircraft structures and complex assemblies. that lay out exactly what needs to be done In addition to manufacturing aero- supplier Spirit AeroSystems (Chalet P77) “What we do is really try to help engineer and the amount of time a worker has to do it. structures for every in-production Boeing is pushing forward with its digital-factory the production systems of the future with our The digital piece involves collecting model including the fuselage of the 737, initiative. It’s an initiative that Spirit, Boe- advanced manufacturing systems approach,” and analyzing data at nearly every step Spirit produces the Airbus A220’s pylon; ing’s largest supplier, will be talking up Spirit senior director of research and tech- of the manufacturing process and using the wing leading and trailing edge of the heavily at the Singapore Airshow. nology Eric Hein told AIN. “So when we talk that data and analyses to optimize those A320 as well as its composite spoiler; and By digitizing its processes down to the about the future factory, for us it’s incorpo- processes, Hein explained. the A350’s center fuselage, wing front spar, raw materials in its warehouse and com- rating our future production system princi- Under the digital factory concept, the and fixed leading edge. Besides Wichita, it bining them with lean manufacturing prin- ples into everything we do, and then put the company can know in real-time where a operates production facilities in McAlester ciples and automation, the Wichita-based technologies in place that will be required to single part, aerostructure or piece of raw and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kinston, North Car- company thinks it can improve efficiency help execute those in the future.” material is in the production process. “We olina; Prestwick, Scotland; Saint-Nazaire, and quality while controlling costs for Those future factory principles include call that real-time asset tracking,” Hein said. France; and Subang, Malaysia. n

32 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com

Pg-32_d2_v1.indd 1 2/10/20 4:35 PM LEADING NETWORKING been the emerging threats in air defense technology, such as the Russian S-400 and S-500 batteries and new develop- ments from the Chinese industry as well. Aside from the Eurofighter, Elettron- ica has worked extensively in the past The Praetorian on EW solutions for export versions of Evolution is being Russian fighter aircraft. The company developed by a cooperated with India’s Defence Avion- consortium of ics Research Establishment to develop a European nations high-performance EW system with a scal- to provide the able, modular architecture for the MiG-35. next generation of The system can receive signals from mul- electronic warfare tiple channels, processing them using an for the consortium- India-developed signal processing suite, developed and then devising appropriate jamming Eurofighter. countermeasures to be initiated by jam- mers linked to the output channels. The company has continued its work in India in an MoU signed last year with Eurofighter dates back to the 1980s and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for Elettronica offers next-gen early 1990s. This older-generation config- the joint development, commercializa- uration essentially makes it impossible to tion, and production of New Generation expand the system’s functionality; there EW Surveillance Systems. The systems EW system for Europe, Asia is no expansion capacity to plug in new that they develop will be targeted at the modes and it consigns the system to even- worldwide market in addition to Indian by Reuben F. Johnson tual obsolescence. national requirements. In October 2019 Leonardo announced Several other EW firms that spoke to Italy’s Elettronica (Chalet R87) has long developing a Defensive Aids Subsystem the beginning of an 18-month study that AIN have stated that Elettronica’s designs been a player in the electronic warfare (EW) (DASS) that is a next-generation elec- would be central to the concept defini- are among the best in the industry, partic- sector and is also one of the few companies tronic warfare (EW) suite for the Euro- tion phase of the new EW system. A press ularly in the area of signal processing and to be able to offer solutions for both Euro- fighter. The design concept is being called release that announced the contract for then transmitting an effective countermea- pean and Russian platforms. The company the “Praetorian Evolution” and is sup- the study stated that the contract award sure. One of the Belarusian engineers work- is perhaps most well-known for being one posed to build on the aircraft’s current- would form part of the Long Term Evo- ing at Aircraft Repair Plant No. 558 stated of the major designers for the EW systems generation Praetorian DASS. lution (LTE) study that is supposed to that “one of the keys to effective EW is the installed on the four-nation Eurofighter. The next-generation design will be define an entire schedule of potential system being able to instantaneously react Mirroring the same four-nation part- an all-digital architecture and will see upgrades for the Eurofighter as a whole. to the irregular signal patterns of modern, nership, the company is teamed with the the EW suite performing more than Ultimately the new DASS and the other frequency-hopping radars. Elettronica’s UK’s Leonardo, Germany’s Hensoldt, and just self-protection functionality. The upgrades are supposed to keep the Euro- are some of the only systems capable of the Spanish firm Indra to form the Euro- rationale for developing this new DASS fighter an operationally relevant platform this, and this makes them a market leader DASS consortium, which is charged with is that the current design on-board the until 2050. One of the key drivers has in this technology. n Israel’s Controp seeks fresh markets by AIN Staff

Controp Precision Technologies, the to protection and directing of security Domes—all being displayed at the show.” Israeli developer and manufacturer of forces to the exact location.” In addition, Controp (Chalet Q58) will electro-optical and precision motion “Our primary goals are to provide our emphasize the operability of its STAMPs— control systems for surveillance, customers with innovative products and showing their low SWaP (size, weight, and defense, and homeland security applica- creative solutions to meet their defense power), low energy, performance, such as tions, expects to see new demand for its and security surveillance requirements,” the STAMP-VMD low-weight payload for ultra-light UAV and coastal surveillance Raanan Shelach, vice president, market- persistent surveillance. “These payloads products in Singapore. ing, told AIN. “We will provide an agile provide critical real-time information at The company will have three types of response to their needs and tailored cus- the tactical level and the T-STAMP-XD equipment on display at the show: its tomized solutions to their requests. We payload, which enables shorter sensor- STAMP (Stabilized Miniature Payloads) set our sights at providing cost-effective to-shooter timing,” he said. family of products; its complete ISTAR responses to all programs. The bottom The maritime environment of the (intelligence, surveillance, target acqui- line: maximum value [for] our customers.” Asia-Pacific region creates unique sition, and reconnaissance) concept; and Priorities for the company in Singapore requirements from end-users and sev- T-Stamp XD is part of a product line observation and detection systems for include demonstrating the value of its part- eral cutting-edge solutions are being developed to meet intelligence, surveillance, coastal security. nership with Singapore’s NCS, formerly used in the region in response. “We are reconnaissance and targeting missions on “Controp’s scanning and observation known as National Computer Systems, tackling these requirements from two small UAV platforms. systems are proven for coastal surveil- and with Israeli defense conglomerate different angles—on the one hand pro- lance and security from intruders by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. viding marinized payloads for maritime “Controp is developing a new genera- detecting swimmers, small boats and “As part of our display at the Singapore vessels requiring full bandwidth spectrum tion of EO/IR (electro-optical/infra-red) more,” the company said. “The systems Airshow, Controp will be showcasing from maritime installations,” he said. “In solutions to meet rising requirements provide a ‘virtual fence’ over the water as some of its solutions under the Rafael addition, [we are] providing coastal sur- worldwide. We are keen to find more they automatically detect intruders from umbrella,” he said. “This demonstrates veillance and protection from land instal- partners or integrators to add additional the sea before they reach the defined our capability to synergize our solutions lations for super long-range surveillance.” value to our products package in order boundary. The recognition, identifica- with Rafael such as Remote Weapon Recently, Controp received a significant to further meet the requirements of our tion, and tracking of intruders are key Stations, the Sky Spotter and the Drone repeat order from an Asian customer. international customers.” n

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On December 7, Singapore defense and the closest one to Singapore, giv- minister Dr Ng Eng Hen and his U.S. ing the RSAF the ability to quickly recall counterpart Mark Esper signed a mem- combat and support assets. orandum of understanding (MoU) to To understand the RSAF’s relentless set up a permanent fighter detachment pursuit for overseas deployment, one in the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, must consider Singapore’s geographical solidifying a plan made sometime in location in southeast Asia. The lack of ter- 2016 when Ng said that the RSAF was ritorial airspace, landmass and geographic exploring new training detachments in variations has forced the RSAF to set up Guam or New Zealand. While details training detachments in Australia, France remain sketchy, the MoU will see the and the United States. Tied up with the potential deployment of Republic of procurement of aircraft, the RSAF has set Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed up a permanent peacetime presence in Martin F-16C/D, Boeing F-15SG, and the U.S., where units flying the F-16C/D Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warn- (Peace Carvin II program) and F-15SG ing (AEW) aircraft. (Peace Carvin V) are based. The agreement is a timely and suit- Now, the RSAF also has a helicopter An F-15SG from the RSAF’s 142 Squadron operates from Andersen AFB on Guam during a 2017 able one. The government plans to (CH-47D) and training (PC-21) detach- exercise deployment. decommission Paya Lebar air base by ments in Australia, an advanced jet 2030 to make way for urban develop- training (M346) detachment at Cazaux not the only one—to be permitted to exercises with the USAF with F-15SGs ment, meaning the loss of shelters, infra- in France, as well as a U.S.-based AH-64 conduct bilateral large-scale joint exer- and F-16C/Ds. Once Guam has been made structure and runways. While expansion Apache detachment. cises at American bases, such as Exercise “home,” it’s likely that bilateral training works in Tengah and Changi airbase are The relationship between the U.S and Forging Sabre, in which U.S. forces and will increase. The RSAF could also join underway, the RSAF has to plan so that Singapore is a special one. The RSAF has the Singapore Army’s HIMARS artillery the Cope North exercise, a U.S. Air Force its airpower generation capability is been given the opportunity to train along- rocket system come together for a com- wargame with the Australian and Japa- not compromised in times of need. The side and against U.S. and allied air arms in plex live-firing wargame. nese air arms, in which all three current Guam detachment will be the RSAF’s drills such as Red Flag, while Singapore This is likely to continue in Guam. participants are F-35A operators. third fighter detachment on U.S. soil, is one of the handful of countries—if Since 2017, the RSAF has conducted two The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have also been trying to increase the complexity and integration of air, land, and sea exercises. While the two land-locked continental U.S. deployments provide RSAF Diehl Defence unveils adaptive missile innovations at Singapore pilots with the opportunity to conduct long-distance overland missions, joint Germany’s Diehl Defence (Chalet J70) has that is providing targeting data are mini- The missile will be fired from the Diehl high-end training with the Navy is still a history of presenting adaptive missile mized. “With other missiles, there has to be IRIS-T SLS launcher, which is similar to the lacking. While the Singapore navy ramps solutions and is highlighting two key inno- a talkback link between the radar and the ground-based air defense system in service up exercise complexity with its American vations at the Singapore Airshow. missile’s guidance system, which can cause with the Swedish military and will include counterpart in Exercise Pacific Griffin One is the design of the company’s IRIS-T export licensing issues where U.S. radar key elements from the Kongsberg National based in Guam, the new RSAF detach- (InfraRed Imaging System-Tail/Thrust Vector systems are involved,” he continued. “With Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System. ment is likely to explore opportunities to Controlled) short-range air-to-air missile the IRIS-T, the talkback is between the mis- A Diehl Defence spokesman said, “Nor- hone its anti-surface tactics there. As it (AAM). Among other customers for this sile and the [also Diehl-produced] launcher, way is now the second country after Sweden is just two hours ahead of Singapore and weapon system, the Royal Thai Air Force which eliminates many of those problems.” that employs the IRIS-T SLS to safeguard Australia time, Guam could even coordi- now employs the missile on its Saab JAS-39 In November 2019, Diehl received a con- its airspace. The new system will provide a nate its exercise serials with the annual C/D Gripens, Northrop F-5s, and Lockheed tract for the development and production unique capability to protect the Norwegian land forces Exercise Wallaby in Australia, Martin F-16s, where it has replaced the of a new mobile ground-based air defense forces during their maneuver operations.” again something that is not possible with previous-generation U.S. AIM-9L Sidewinder. system for Norway that will use the IRIS-T. The second type of innovation is for the the current U.S. detachments. The advantage of having the IRIS-T over older model AIM-9L models that are being Looking further ahead, Guam might other options, explained a company represen- displaced by the IRIS-T procurements. Diehl not be the last U.S. detachment the RSAF tative, is not only that it is a significant leap retains all of the design and modification will have. It was announced earlier in in performance over the older-model AIM-9L authority of an OEM for the AIM-9, so the 2019 that the air force will be evaluating but it also doubles as an air defense weapon. company has now swapped out the older the F-35, ordering four with an option “Other companies utilize an AAM in an model IR seeker with a semi-active laser for eight more. Depending on the variant air defense role, but unlike those missiles, seeker. This turns the missile into a precision selected, the RSAF is likely to establish the IRIS-T need not be produced in some air-to-ground weapon that can be employed another new fighter detachment at a U.S. special ‘for ground-launch only’ version,” against both mobile and stationary targets. Marine Corps base if it goes for the F-35B he explained. “In most of the air defense Another Diehl engineer responsible for S/VTOL version, or expanding the Peace applications for the IRIS-T you can literally this program with the Diehl Retrofit Missile Carvin II detachment at Luke AFB if the remove the missile from an airplane and Systems division explained that this Laser- F-35A is selected. n carry it over to and fit it to a ground launcher Guided Sidewinder is “a perfect weapon for and vice versa. It is an interchangeable mis- a counterinsurgency mission. If you do not sile solution.” want to destroy an entire building, as you The other aspect of the IRIS-T is that in would with a Hellfire, but you only need to

an air defense application, integration issues Diehl’s IRIS-T short-range, air-to-air take out one room or one apartment in that YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS guided missiles in Hägglund, Sweden. R.F.J. between the missile and the radar system building, this is a perfect solution.” www.ainonline.com

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SINGAPORE AIRSHOW BAHRAIN INT’L F-AIR COLOMBIA HLS INDONESIA LAND FORCES MILIPOL PARIS DIMDEX February 11-16, 2020 AIRSHOW July 2021 March 4-6, 2020 September 1-3, 2020 October 19-22, 2021 March 16-18, 2020 Singapore November 18-20, 2020 Rionegro, Colombia Jakarta, Indonesia Brisbane, Australia Paris, France Doha, Qatar Sakhir Airbase, FIDAE Kingdom of Bahrain JAPAN AEROSPACE IWA/ENFORCE TAC MSPO DEFENSE & SECURITY EXPONAVAL March 31-April 5, 2020 Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2021 March 4-9, 2020 * September 8-11, 2020 November 1-4, 2021 December 1-4, 2020 Santiago, Chile AERO INDIA Tokyo, Japan Nuremberg, Germany Kielce, Poland Bangkok, Thailand Valparaíso, Chile February 2021 FARNBOROUGH Bengaluru, India SEOUL ADEX SOFEX MILIPOL QATAR EXPODEFENSA NAVDEX AIRSHOW October 19-24, 2021 March 30-April* 2, 2020 October 26-28, 2020 December 2021 February* 21-25, 2021 July 20-26, 2020 AVALON AIRSHOW Seoul, Korea Amman, Jordan Doha, Qatar Bogota, Colombia Abu Dhabi, UAE Farnborough, UK February 23-28, 2021 Geelong, Australia DUBAI AIRSHOW DSA IDEX DEFEXPO PACIFIC AFRICA AEROSPACE November 14-18, 2021 April 20-23, 2020 February* 21-25, 2021 February 2022 August 18-20, 2021 & DEFENCE FAMEX Dubai, UAE Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Abu Dhabi, UAE India Sydney, Australia September 16-20, 2020 April 2021 Centurion, South Africa Santa Lucia, Mexico SINGAPORE AIRSHOW NATSEC MILIPOL ASIA-PACIFIC February 2022 April 20-23, 2020 March 23-25, 2021 AIRSHOW CHINA PARIS AIR SHOW Singapore Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Singapore November 10-15, 2020 June 21-27, 2021 Zhuhai, China Paris, France EUROSATORY DSEI June 8-12, 2020* September* 14-17, 2021 Paris, France London, UK LEARN MORE. SELL MORE. +1 201.251.2600 [email protected] WWW.KALLMAN.COM Kallman Creative Services ORGANIZER OF THE * Custom Builds Only USA PARTNERSHIP PAVILION Malaysia’s ‘Flanker’ flaunts ‘Krypton’ missile capability by David Donald

Having participated in the flying display at high-altitude throughout a range at previous Singapore Airshows, the Suk- of around 60 nautical miles. Malaysia hoi Su-30MKM from the Royal Malaysian acquired a sizeable number of Kh-31s Air Force (RMAF) is on static display (variously reported as 90 or 150) and suc- at this year’s edition, affording show- cessfully undertook its first live-firings goers the opportunity to study the mighty of both variants from the Su-30MKM in “Flanker” up close. Of particular interest 2014. Elsewhere in the region, the Kh-31 is

is the aircraft’s weapons loadout, includ- also used by Indonesia and China, which INTOSH ing four examples of the rarely seen Kh-31 bought a batch from Russia before further

produced by the Tactical Missiles Corpo- developing its own versions as the YJ-91, M c DAVID ration (formerly Zvezda-Strela) and code- produced by Hongdu. Malaysia’s Su-30MKM “Flankers” were delivered with a wide-ranging weapons package, named AS-17 “Krypton” by NATO. Malaysia signed for the Su-30MKM in including Kh-31 supersonic anti-ship/radiation missiles and R-77 active radar air-to-air weapons. The Kh-31 comes in two principal vari- August 2003 during a visit by President ants, both of which are in RMAF service. Putin to Malaysia. The aircraft, built Deliveries began in May 2007 when show in Singapore is armed with the Vym- The Kh-31A has an active radar seeker by Irkut Corporation, are based on the two were handed over at the Irkut plant, pel R-77 active-radar air-to-air missile, of and is an anti-ship weapon that employs Su-30MKI for India, with the same Sat- the pair being air-transported to Malaysia which two can be carried in the “tunnel” a sea-skimming terminal approach at up urn AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engines. in an An-124 in August. The order for 18 between the engine trunks and others to Mach 2.7 after a high-altitude Mach However, the Malaysian Flankers are fit- was completed in 2009, the aircraft being under the wing pylons. It also carries large 3.5 fly-out. The visually similar Kh-31P ted with a high Western avionics and sys- allocated to No. 11 “Golden Cobra” Squad- KNIRTI SAP-518 electronic warfare pods has a passive seeker and is employed tems content, including Thales head-up ron at RMAF Gong Kedak. In RMAF ser- on the wingtips that can be fitted as an in the anti-radiation role against both display, and missile approach and laser vice, the Su-30MKM is used for both air alternative to short-range air-to-air mis- land-based and maritime radars. It flies warning systems from Saab Avitronics. defense and attack roles. The aircraft on sile launchers. n

continued from page 1 communication, computers, and intelli- Vietnam to replace L-39s gence/communication, navigation, and STOVL coming identification (C4I/CNI) system; spare and repair parts; support and test equip- with Yak-130 trainers to Singapore ment; training; the logistics information system; and U.S. government and con- by Vladimir Karnozov Moreover the F-35B was also designed tractor support services. for operation from small aircraft carri- Defence Minister Ng said last March Vietnam has ordered Yakovlev Yak-130 KSU-130 fly-by-wire flight control system, ers, such as U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) that the unit price of an F-35 was simi- advanced jet trainers, the Moscow-based the Yak-130 is able to emulate the handling amphibious assault ships. Some com- lar to that of Singapore’s F-15SG Strike Vedomosti newspaper has reported. The qualities of various aircraft types. mentators have speculated that Singa- Eagles. And the total cost of ownership, contract is believed to be for about a Apart from Russia, the Yak-130 is currently pore might want to operate F-35s from including through-life maintenance, was dozen aircraft to equip a single squadron. in service with five overseas customers. Alge- the Joint Multi-Mission Ship (JMMS) close to that for the Boeing jet, he added. The price tag was reported to be $350 ria has received 16, Belarus eight, and Myan- flat-top that has been on the drawing One interesting aspect of this sale is million, taking account of air-launched mar 16, the latter country having accepted board here for some years. However, as the extent to which Singapore might be weapons, training, and after-sales support the last batch in December 2019. Shipments currently conceived by the marine divi- allowed to modify and support the jets to packages. In Vietnamese service, the Yak- continue to Bangladesh and Laos, which have sion of ST Engineering, the JMMS (also its own requirements. The U.S. govern- 130 will replace aged Aero L-39 jet trainers ordered 24 and 10, respectively. labeled the Endurance 160 Landing Plat- ment allowed the RSAF to add an Israeli procured some 40 years ago. Russia is working on the new SM-100 form Dock or LPD) accommodates only mission computer and electronic warfare If Hanoi lives up to recent media reports engine to increase the gross weight of the helicopters. ST’s chief marketing offi- system to its F-16s. It also allowed the about it also acquiring Sukhoi Su-57E Yak-130, currently 10 tonnes, as well as the cer Chew Men Leong told AIN that the RSAF to write its own operational flight fifth-generation fighters, it will remain among weapons load to three. It would replace design could change, but “we are wait- programs (OFPs). the top five importers of Russian weap- the Ukrainian-designed Ivchenko-Progress ing for the Ministry of Defence to issue The notification states that “electronic ons. Following procurement of Su-27SK/ AI-222-25, whose production was localized a firm requirement.” warfare systems” are included in the sale, UBK fighters in the 1990s, Vietnam added at the Salyut plant in Moscow. The newer However, it is entirely possible that the plus access to the “reprogramming cen- 24 Su-30MK2 two-seat multirole aircraft engine should also support the Yak-130’s RSAF will have some or all of its F-35 pilots ter.” As a Security Cooperation Partici- in 2003-2014, to become the third largest reputation as the most fuel-efficient jet trained for carrier operations. They will pant already, the RSAF will be aware of “Flanker” operator in Asia after China and in service with the Russian Air and Space most likely undertake flight training at the some problems that have arisen with the India. The Yak-130 selection seems logical, Force (VKS). In the decade following the USMC air station Beaufort, South Carolina, F-35 OFPs, such as a failure to synchro- as this type is advertised as the best option completion of state acceptance trials, the where all prospective F-35B pilots go. They nize those in the jets with those in the for training crews for the Flanker. Outfitted VKS has procured about 110 aircraft and is might then practice such operations closer simulators. There have also been delays in with a glass cockpit and the reprogrammable considering taking 150 more. n to home because the USMC’s assault ships updating the mission data files, a library sometimes visit Singapore. of enemy threats to the aircraft that feed The notification to Congress estimated into the fighter’s advanced sensor recog- the total procurement cost at $2.75 billion. nition and data fusion capability. Yak-130s now serve That includes all 12 jets as well as the sub- Israel has been allowed to add some with the Russian stantial package required to acquire the unique avionics and electronic warfare Air and Space Force sophisticated fifth-generation capability. systems to its F-35s. A source in the U.S. in considerable The sale will include 13 Pratt & Whitney with access to the program told AIN that numbers. F135 engines; weapons employment capa- it was possible that Singapore would be bility; the fighter’s command, control, allowed similar privileges. n

38 Singapore Airshow News \ February 12, 2020 \ ainonline.com

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