AE SEPTEMBER 2021 ROSPACE

INDIA GOES IT ALONE

SPACE DEBRIS – THE LEGAL QUESTIONS GROUND OPS AND HUMAN FACTORS

www.aerosociety.com September 2021

V olume 48 Number 9

Royal A THE AIR FORCE OF 2040 SYNTHETICALLY-TRAINED, CLOUD-NETWORKED, SPACE-ENABLED AND NETZERO? eronautical Society NOW BOARDING The Autumn UK recruitment fair dedicated to aerospace and aviation

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Careers in Aerospace 2021 FP Adv.indd 1 23/08/2021 16:30 Volume 48 Number 9 September 2021 EDITORIAL Contents Air power endgame in Regulars 4 Radome 12 Transmission Afghanistan The latest aviation and Your letters, emails, tweets aeronautical intelligence, and social media feedback. Almost 20 years ago, the horrific 9/11 aerial attacks on New York and analysis and comment. 58 The Last Word Washington using hijacked triggered off a series of events that 11 Pushing the Envelope Keith Hayward asks whether would lead to two decades of conflict. Western intervention in Afghanistan Rob Coppinger examines a China and the US are is now ending with an aerial evacuation of Western personnel and panic proposal to power the Airbus waging a new technological Cold War. at Kabul airport – a throwback to the US retreat from Saigon and even A380 with hydrogen. further back, the RAF’s aerial evacuation of Kabul in 1919. Even the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 now looks orderly compared to the Features Leonardo BAE Systems panic and chaos occurring there now. Between 2001 and now, the aerial component gave Western forces on the ground and the Afghan security 14 forces an asymmetric edge, allowing smaller numbers of troops to control vast swathes of territory. Deployed against an enemy with no air force of their own and no high-level surface-to-air missiles this counter insurgency air 30 power effort in a ‘permissive environment’ has dominated training, doctrine Chopper country and procurement priorities for 20 years. Only recently have Western air The air force of 2040 How Yeovil aims to build a forces been refocusing on defeating ‘peer threats’. With the drawdown of US Is the future of air forces new military helicopter type in and NATO forces, it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened. synthetic training and the UK. zettabytes of big data? The Afghan Air Force, optimised for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations, 34 Restart from the ground up was doomed when it was deprived of US contractor support and the wider 18 Indian defence looks inwards The human effect of intelligence, training and mentoring that kept it operational and effective. automation and cost-cutting on The collapse has been far swifter than many expected – an indicator of India seeks to make its workers in airports and ground- defence manufacturing local handling services. how critical air power and ISR has been instrumental in propping up weaker and its sales international.

ground forces and how remotely-operated drones are no substitute for boots UAC on the ground. To paraphrase General Montgomery: “If we lose air support, 22 Mental health we lose the war and we lose it quickly.” wellbeing for all How solutions to tackle pilot mental health problems could Tim Robinson FRAeS, Editor-in-Chief benefit all air transport workers. [email protected] @RAeSTimR

ESA 38 Correspondence on all aerospace matters is welcome at: [email protected] 26 MAKS factored Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office 2021 AEROSPACE subscription A report on the MAKS 2021 Tim Robinson FRAeS Royal Aeronautical Society rates: Non-members, £190 Moscow airshow. +44 (0)20 7670 4353 No.4 Hamilton Place To place your order, contact: [email protected] W1J 7BQ, UK Wayne J Davis +44 (0)20 7670 4300 40 Implementing UAS – Deputy Editor +44 (0)20 7670 4354 [email protected] Bill Read FRAeS [email protected] the regulator’s viewpoint +44 (0)20 7670 4351 www.aerosociety.com Any member not requiring a print Does this spark joy? How ICAO is preparing the [email protected] AEROSPACE is published by the Royal version of this magazine should The legal case for decluttering way for UAVs and to Aeronautical Society (RAeS). contact: [email protected] Production Manager and tidying orbital space junk. operate in shared airspace. Wayne J Davis FRAeS Chief Executive USA: Periodical postage paid at +44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS Champlain New York and additional [email protected] Advertising offices. Afterburner +44 (0)20 7670 4346 Publications Executive Postmaster: Send address changes [email protected] Message from our President Chris Male FRAeS to IMS of New York, PO Box 1518, 44 Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA. +44 (0)20 7670 4352 Unless specifically attributed, no 45 Message from our Chief Executive [email protected] material in AEROSPACE shall be taken ISSN 2052-451X 46 Book Reviews Production Executive to represent the opinion of the RAeS. Annabel Hallam Reproduction of material used in this 49 e-Library Additions +44 (0)20 7670 4361 publication is not permitted without the NAL’s lockdown lectures [email protected] written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. 50 Book Review Editors Printed by Buxton Press Limited, 53 Appointment of new RAeS CEO Tony Pilmer and Katrina Sudell Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire 54 New Member Spotlight [email protected] SK17 6AE, UK Cover: Tempest will be at the heart of 55 RAeS Diary .the 2040 . (BAE Systems) Distributed by Royal Mail 56 Elections/95th Anniversary of Coventry Branch

Additional content is available to view online at: aerosociety.com/aerospaceinsight Read AEROSPACE and the Insight blog on your Including: FIAConnect 2021 virtual conference, RAeS tackles cross-Channel air transport crisis – in 1921, Global Air Chiefs conference, UAVs vs submarines, New Members Spotlight, In the August smartphone or tablet with the AEROSPACE app Online issue, Lynx in Puma’s clothing, Aviation and sustainability, Back to air rage and cabin baggage issues. APP available from iTunes and Google Play.

@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com SEPTEMBER 2021 13 Blueprint

INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT Pusher-puller power A 400kW electric power system will drive four fixed-blade propellers arranged on the wing in a pusher-puller configuration. All four will be used on take-off and climb, while the front propellers will fold back in the cruise – adding 10% in efficiency compared to conventional designs, says Pyka.

FBW cockpit The P3 will feature fly-by-wire (FBW) controls for reduced workload and single pilot operations. Active stall and spin preventation will be incorporated, along with emergency autoland.

AEROSPACE Electric commuter unveiled

US start-up Pyka, previously known for an electric agricultural UAV, has unveiled a new nine- seat electric for regional travel that it intends to fly next year. The P3 uses electric motors and four propellers, two of which fold backwards in flight to leave the rear pusher propellers for the cruise. The P3’s range is 200nm with a cruise speed of 155kt. In parallel, the company also plans to develop an unpiloted cargo version. Pyka

4 AEROSPACE Composite design The P3 features a lightweight, advanced composite fuselage with high-aspect ratio wings and a large side passenger/ cargo door.

Low operating costs Pyka says that, thanks to electric propulsion, the operating costs of the P3 will be $95 an hour or a four-fold Specifications reduction compared to a traditional nine-seat aircraft. Speed 155kt Its 850ft landing/take-off Range 200nm run will open up over 5,000 Power 400kW Passengers (9 + 2) underutilised public airports in Payload 2,500lb the US. Empty weight 5,200lb Stall speed with flaps 55kt Wingspan 70ft

SEPTEMBER 2021 5 Radome COVID-19

AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT China air traffic rebound stalls as Worst ever year for Delta variant causes crackdown airlines, says IATA China Eastern Airlines Airline industry group IATA compared to 4.5million has revealed detailed new in 2019. Air connectivity figures for the global air in 2020 also collapsed AIR TRANSPORT transport industry in 2020, with the number of routes which confirm that the flown being slashed by year was the worst ever 50%. The fall was the for airlines. 2020 saw a worst since global traffic 60.2% decrease in overall was tracked – with IATA passengers, a 75.6% saying: “The decline in air drop in international passengers transported New government restrictions to curb fresh outbreaks of the Covid-19 pandemic passenger demand and in 2020 was the largest have slowed the recovery of domestic air travel in China. Airline capacity in China a 69% drop in passenger recorded since global has fallen below pre-pandemic levels for the first time in five weeks, with capacity revenues. In 2020 only RPKs started being falling to 95.7% of 2019 levels. 1.8million passengers flew, tracked around 1950.”

AIR TRANSPORT AEROSPACE Optimism as flights in Avalon Air Show cancelled return RAAF

ATM provider, Meanwhile, in July, the Eurocontrol, has reported UK’s Heathrow Airport that figures for flights recorded its busiest in European airspace ever month since the have exceeded the most pandemic began in optimistic predictions for March 2020, handling July, with air traffic now at more than 1.5million 65% of 2019 numbers. passengers. However, ’s biggest air show, Avalon, has been cancelled due to ongoing travel A new record number while passenger numbers restrictions and uncertainty over Covid-19. The air show, which this year would have of flights was set on 21 were up 74% compared marked the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, had been scheduled for July with 25,182 flights to July 2020, the airport November, after being postponed from earlier in the year. Meanwhile, Farnborough or some 69% of 2019 is still seeing an 80% fall International, organisers of the UAM trade show, Global Urban & Advanced Air levels – the highest since in travellers compared to Summit, originally set for 7-8 September at Farnborough Airport, has postponed it March 2020. pre-pandemic levels. until spring 2022.

NEWS IN BRIEF

agreement for 16 Embraer offer its T-7A Red Hawk its goal of landing a human ‘smear campaign’ started A prototype Russian E175 regional jets. First and Lockheed its T-50A on the Moon in 2024. by Wisk Aero, which military transport aircraft delivery is due in mid- aircraft developed in The OIG reported that alleges that Archer had crashed during a test 2020 and the aircraft co-operation with Korea lunar-grade spacesuit misappropriated trade flight near Moscow on will be operated as part Aerospace Industries. A development is behind secrets from its Cora 17 August. A video taken of a contract with Delta third bidder, Leonardo, schedule and will cost multirotor eVTOL which from the ground shows the Air Lines to replace 16 has earlier said that it NASA $1bn to just get were then used to develop United Aircraft Corporation CRJ900s which SkyWest intends to offer its M346 the first two suits ready by its Maker vehicle. Ilyushin Il-112V flying at currently operates for Master. April 2025 at the earliest. low altitude with a wing Delta. Airbus has announced on fire, before turning and A report from NASA’s EVTOL developer Archer that it is to launch a falling to the ground. The Boeing and Lockheed Office of Inspector General Aviation is suing rival cargo version of its A350 three crew aboard the Martin are to bid for the (OIG) oversight arm has Wisk Aero for $1bn in widebody . The aircraft were killed. US Navy advanced jet said that the current state damages as a legal battle , which came as trainer requirement to of the development of new over alleged IP theft part of the manufacturer’s US operator SkyWest replace the Boeing T-45 EVA spacesuits will rule escalates. The lawsuit half-year results, will see has signed a $798.4m Goshawk. Boeing is to out the agency achieving claims damages from a Airbus develop a 90t

6 AEROSPACE AEROSPACE

SPACEFLIGHT Elon Musk/Twitter Merger fever over SpaceX and Ultra takeovers Starship Acquisitions of two UK Group. The US firm said aerospace and defence it would protect the 2,300 fully companies by US firms UK jobs at Meggitt’s UK stacked has raised questions factories. Meanwhile, the over the government’s now US-owned commitment to protecting is to acquire Ultra Britain’s defence industrial Electronics in a £2.5bn base. In the first deal, US takeover deal. Likewise, aerospace group Parker- Cobham’s US owners, Hannifin is to acquire the Advent International, has UK’s Meggitt aerospace promised to safeguard and defence company UK jobs at Ultra. The UK SpaceX is now in the final stages of assembling the ‘full stack’ of its Super Heavy booster in a £6.3bn takeover – government meanwhile and Starship rocket at its Boca Chica space factory. The 29-engine Super Heavy has been sparking a bidding war is said to be ‘monitoring’ rolled out to the launch pad where it will be mated to the Starship SN20, ahead of the first between it and TransDigm both deals. uncrewed orbital flight of the giant rocket.

DEFENCE Chaos at Kabul Airport as last flights evacuate from Afghanistan US Air Force US As AEROSPACE goes to press, there were dramatic scenes at Kabul Hamid Karzai airport in Afghanistan as tens of thousands of foreign residents and civilian refugees attempted to leave the country following its takeover by Taliban forces. Countries including the US, UK, , Canada, Denmark, India and Italy used military aircraft to evacuate their nationals out of Afghanistan, as well as Afghans who had worked with their troops. So many people attempted to board and even climb on top of aircraft that the airport was closed on 16 August but then reopened under US control. Twenty people are now reported to have been killed trying to get to aircraft at the airport, including three who fell from the underside of an aircraft they were clinging to shortly after take-off. Human remains are also reported to have been discovered in the wheel well of a US aircraft. After hundreds of Afghans forced their way into a USAF C-17 flying to Qatar, the crew decided to continue the take-off with the aircraft carrying 823 people onboard (left). On 22 August the US Secretary of Defense activated Stage 1 of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet which allowed 18 US commercial aircraft from carriers including United, American Airlines and Delta to fly to Kabul to assist with the evacuation. The US also reported that it had flown nearly 28,000 people out of the airport in a week..

freighter version based on defences, and air-to-air Attitude control was First deliveries are set for the A350-1000, with entry Turkish UAV manufacturer combat, the first MIUS restored using rocket the fourth quarter of 2023, into service set for 2025. Baykar Makina is prototype is planned to fly motors in the Russian with the Cassio aircraft developing a new in 2023. Zvezda module and to be integrated into Cargo and package unmanned combat aerial thrusters in a Progress KinectAir’s short/medium delivery company DHL vehicle (UCAV). Named There have been calls cargo ship. on demand infrastructure. has placed an order for MIUS, Turkish for National for an independent 12 all-electric Eviation Unmanned Aircraft investigation after an Next-generation air A Boeing 737 MAX Alice cargo aircraft. The System, the tailless, incident on 29 July mobility start-up KinectAir prototype has been redesigned Alice, which blended wing UCAV when the International has announced that in China reportedly is set to fly later this features two canards, Space Station (ISS) was VoltAero’s hybrid-electric conducting flight tests as year, will be capable of no horizontal stabilisers temporarily knocked out Cassio is now available for part of the re-certification single-pilot operations, and two canted vertical of alignment, spinning US fractional ownership. for CAAC. The aircraft has with a 1.25t payload stabilisers. Designed for 540° after the thrusters The Cassio 330 is a been grounded in China and a range of 440nm. roles such as close air unexpectedly fired on the four-seat hybrid-electric for nearly two and a half Deliveries are expected support, suppression and newly installed Russian aircraft and the first in a years following two fatal from 2024. destruction of enemy air Nauka laboratory module. family of larger aircraft. accidents.

SEPTEMBER 2021 7 Radome

SPACEFLIGHT AEROSPACE Starliner launch delayed Hypersonic start-up gets funding to by valve issue build sub-scale prototypes Hermeus Boeing has cancelled the problems could not an uncrewed test launch be rectified before the of its CST-100 Starliner end of the launch window. crew capsule to the The flight of the Starliner International Space will now be delayed until Station (ISS) after after the launch of the problems were discovered NASA’s higher-priority with propulsion system Lucy asteroid probe on valves before a launch 16 October. SpaceX is attempt from Cape also scheduled to launch a Canaveral on 3 August. Dragon cargo ship to the US passenger hypersonic start-up Hermeus has been awarded $60m by the US Air The capsule was ISS on 28 August which Force Research Lab to build and fly three sub-scale unpiloted Quarterhorse protototypes. returned to ULA’s Vertical will dock at the same port Quarterhorse will validate the company’s proprietary turbine-based combined cycle Integration Facility, but needed by the Starliner. TBCC engine, based around a GE J85.

DEFENCE GENERAL AVIATION Typhoon widescreen cockpit in 2024 Drone delivery plans Eurofighter crash back to earth According to tech describing a dysfunctional publication Wired, retail working environment and giant Amazon is now changing requirements. winding down the majority Meanwhile, freight of its UK-based Prime Air provider DHL is also drone delivery project. abandoning its ‘last- The Cambridge-based mile’ Parcelcopter UAV initiative, which launched delivery pilot project that in 2016 and made highly it tested in 2013, with publicised short trial the Wingcopter VTOL BAE Systems has announced that it has been awarded a £135m contract to enhance and deliveries using a UAV, drone. Instead, it intends upgrade the as part of the PE3c capability package. The PE3c includes has laid off over 100 to focus on ‘middle-mile’ upgrades to precision weapons, datalinks and defensive systems as well as a large screen employees from Prime UAV delivery, partnering cockpit display that will be delivered by the end of 2024. Air – with the insiders with Dronamics. NEWS IN BRIEF

Sentry AWACS has British soil in 2022, jet charter, aircraft 2,100 aircraft with an In an escalating dispute flown the final operational the UK’s Civil Aviation management and travel estimated market share with Airbus over degraded mission for the fleet on Authority has become management service. Jet of 18%. fuselages on its A350 30 July – supporting the the official regulator Luxe also offers aircraft fleet, Qatar Airways has CSG21 carrier group for spaceflight from management, cargo, and Russian operator Rossiya grounded 13 of its A350s and Operation Shader Britain. The CAA will be air ambulance options. has resumed flights to and replaced them on missions in the Middle responsible for licensing Egypt after a six-year ban services with A330s.The East. The aircraft has of space launches The European Union has on flights from the Russian carrier has also paused now returned to RAF with the AAIB (Air approved the proposed government following deliveries of the remaining Waddington, ahead of its Accidents Investigation merger of Irish-based the bombing of Metrojet 23 aircraft on order after retirement. The E-3D is Branch) also taking aviation leasing A321 Flight 9268 from saying that the composite set to be replaced by the over responsibility for companies AerCap and Sharm El Sheikh to Saint fuselage below the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail the investigation of GECAS. The $30bn Petersburg in October paint is degrading at an which will enter service in spaceflight accidents. purchase of GECAS 2015. Aeroflot Group accelerated rate. 2023. by AerCap was first owned Rossiya Russian New Dubai-based announced in March. Airlines is operating The Royal Air Force has Ahead of the first operator Jet Luxe has The combined company Boeing 747-400s five announced that its E-3D space launches from launched a luxury private will operate close to times a week from

8 AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT JetBlue GENERAL AVIATION JetBlue flies inaugural US approves lead-free NYC-London service GA fuel The US Federal Aviation fuel has been banned Administration (FAA) from other forms of has approved, under transport for many years, Supplemental Type GA aircraft have been Certificates, the first granted a dispensation to unleaded 100-octane fuel continue using it because for GA aircraft. Produced no other additive yielded by Oklahoma company, the required 100-octane On 11 August, US low-cost carrier JetBlue began its first long-awaited US-UK General Aviation content. The company transatlantic services with a flight from JFK Airport in New York to London Heathrow. Modifications, (GAMI) the expects that the G100UL The flight used an Airbus A321LR with Airbus’ Airspace cabin equipped with 24 lie-flat new unleaded G100UL unleaded avgas supply seats and 114 economy seats – with ticket prices undercutting other rivals. The airline would be a drop-in will be sufficent for the plans to add more routes between the UK and US with flights from Gatwick and Boston replacement for leaded North American demand beginning in 2022. 100LL. Although leaded within the next four years.

DEFENCE AEROSPACE US hypersonic tests Hybrid-electric demo flight flown fail again in A key test for the USAF’s previous flight in April Ampaire new hypersonic missile, saw the boost-glide the AGM-183A ARRW, missile stay attached to failed for the second the B-52 carrier aircraft time on 28 July when the and return to Edwards weapon’s booster rocket AFB. Meanwhile, the failed to ignite. US experienced another Released by a B-52 hypersonic flight test bomber over the Point setback on 23 June, when Mugu Sea Range, a USAF-backed John A light aircraft has demonstrated the first ever hybrid-electric flight in Scotland. The the booster failed to Hopkins Applied Physics Ampaire Electric Eel demonstrator, which is based on a six-seat Cessna Skymaster, made ignite. The failure is the Lab Bolt glider failed the flight from Kirkwall Airport on the Orkney Islands to Wick John O’Groats Airport on second for the boost- to achieve the correct 12 August – demonstrating a viable regional airline route. The demonstrator is now set to glide ARRW after a trajectory after launch. conduct further trial flights in SW England.

Moscow Sheremetyevo embedding new tools half of 2022. Over 600 airport to Red Sea tourist and techniques to design, potential passengers ON THE MOVE resorts Hurghada and evaluate and shape the have already made down College, Cranwell, has Sharm El Sheikh. final design and capability payments for flights at the Dan Grossman has been been promoted to Air Vice requirements of Tempest. earlier price of $250,000 appointed as President Marshal and appointed BAE Systems has each. of electric autonomous AOC No2 Group, RAF. announced that the Virgin Galactic has aircraft manufacturer Pyka. UK MoD has awarded recommenced ticket Viking Air has signed a Lavinia Lau is Cathay £250m to the Team sales for space tourist deal with PAL Aerospace The US Senate has Pacific’s new Director of Tempest combat aircraft sub-orbital rides in its Canada to support the confirmed Jennifer Customer Travel. programme, with the VSS Unity rocket plane design, manufacturing, Homendy as the new project now formally sub-orbital flights at installation and Chair of the National JetBlue Airways has entering the Concept and an increased cost of certification of an Aerial Transportation Safety appointed Ed Baklor Assessment Phase. The $450,000 per seat. Firefighting System for the Board. as Head of Customer Concept and Assessment However, the company Twin Otter DHC-6 300 Care and Programs, and Phase will see “the does not expect and 400. The system is Air Commodore Suraya Alex Battaglia as Head partners develop a range commercial flights to expected to be certificated Marshall, formerly of Airports and System of digital concepts, begin until the second in 2022. Commandant, RAF Operations.

SEPTEMBER 2021 9 By the Numbers Understanding the world of Aerospace through data Air assets involved in Kabul Airlift* Tim Robinson/RAeS Australia – 3 x A330MRTTs Canada – 2 x C-17s, 2 x C-130Js, 1 x CC-150 Czech Republic – 1 x A319 – 2 x A330s, 1 x A400M, 1 x C-130H Germany – 3 x A400Ms, 1 x A310 India – 2 x C-17s Italy – 2 x C-130Js, 1 x B767 Spain – 1 x A310, 1 x A400M Sweden – 1 x C-130H Turkey – 1 x A400M UK – 5 x C-17s, 2 x A400Ms, 1 x C-130J, 3 x A330MRTTs

US – 2 x C-20s, 1 x CH-46E, 1 x C-130, 1 x L-100-30, 1 x DH8C, 14 x KC-10s, 36 x KC-135s, 1 x C-21A, 2 x RC-135Ws, 17 x C-130s, 2 x AC-130s, 3 x MC-130Js, 1 x C-2A, 2 x C-5Ms, 1 x UC-12M, 1 x C-40B, 1 x E11A, 1 x CN-235M, 41 x C-17s Crown Copyright

* as from 15-17 August 2021 Source: FR24, ABSExchange, MoD, DefenceGeek, Evergreenintel 10 AEROSPACE Pushing the Envelope Exploring advances on the leading edge of aerospace Robert Coppinger An A380 hydrogen rebirth? he extreme weather events this year have been found. However, Cranfield University thermal highlighted the need to decarbonise the power and propulsion engineering researcher, Jon world’s economies as soon as possible Huete, explained that the combustion chamber and and a green Airbus A380 derivative some parts of the gas turbine would still need to be is aviation’s solution for one team of changed. The combustor has to be redesigned to stop academics. In September 2020, Airbus revealed three the greater levels of nitrogen oxide (NO ) production T x hydrogen-fuelled aircraft concepts which it said could that hydrogen combustion normally produces. NOx is enter service by 2035 but none of them were like the a problem because it promotes ground level ozone European double-decker. They were: a 200-passenger and reduces air quality. It has already been the subject blended wing body (BWB) type, a 100-passenger of one European Union study to reduce its levels in a regional aircraft and a more conventional hydrogen-fuelled turbine. Another issue for hydrogen is A321 family-like 200-passenger turbofan design condensation trails and their global warming effect. with a very high aspect ratio wing – it is very wide in comparison with the length of the fuselage. In June The problem of contrails this year, the media reported that Airbus had told the European Commission in a closed briefing that A German Aerospace Center paper published in hydrogen aircraft would not be widely used until 2050. 2019 estimated that aviation contributes 5% of global warming because of its existing contrails. Hydrogen Making hydrogen the answer would produce persistent contrails and the solution is to fly airliners at a slightly lower altitude but this increases Aircraft entering service in the 2030s and their wide fuel consumption. To overcome all these challenges usage by 2050 are not contradictory claims but three and meet the 2035 deadline, Huete and his fellow Cranfield University researchers decided to examine researchers proposed a development process that uses how 2035 could realistically be achieved. Long before an existing four-engine aircraft modified for hydrogen June this year, they had asked themselves the question: in two engines and conventional fuel in the other two. how could a first-generation hydrogen-powered airliner The Cranfield researchers also noted that market be realised faster and their answer was the Airbus forces alone will not deliver the technological advances A380. Writing for the International Society for Air needed. The researchers saw significant technical Breathing Engines (ISABE), a broad description of the challenges from the systems needed to store, move,

Cranfield thermal power and propulsion engineering and use hydrogen onboard, create the low NOx engine researcher’s A380 solution is storing the hydrogen systems and develop the certification requirements. tanks in the upper or lower decks. A third concept Some type of industry financial support will have to has the tanks distributed on different levels within the be agreed now to create this first-generation A380 aircraft. The lower deck option has a range of 4,800nm derivative hydrogen aircraft in 15 years’ time. and could carry 332 passengers. Upper deck storage Looking beyond 2035, “the second-generation would have 3,300nm range and 388 passengers. The hydrogen aircraft could be a double-bubble fuselage third option would have up to 232 passengers and a design and the third could be the BWB”, Huete said. 5,500nm range. He and his fellow researchers see the global hydrogen HYDROGEN For all the concepts, the hydrogen is fed directly infrastructure needed for the worldwide airline industry WOULD PRODUCE to the engines; it is not powering an electricity- as equally daunting. Initially, hydrogen corridors on generating fuel cell that turns the turbofans. However, major world routes would operate, such as London to PERSISTENT these hydrogen A380 versions do differ from the New York and eventually the hydrogen network would CONTRAILS AND original double-deck design in two important respects. scale up across the planet. For some researchers, THE SOLUTION IS The wing has been shortened to match the Airbus Huete explained, there is a view that the aviation TO FLY AIRLINERS A350-1000 wing and the turbofan is the A350 industry is already far too late to achieve the 2050 date AT A SLIGHTLY Rolls Royce Trent XWB, not the A380’s original touted by governments. However long the introduction LOWER ALTITUDE Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine. Pumping hydrogen of hydrogen aircraft takes, the extreme weather seen into an engine designed for a hydrocarbon fuel recently could soon be the cause of many many flight BUT THIS might seem problematic but the good news is that delays and the cost of doing nothing will be driven INCREASES FUEL no major differences in engine performance have home that much sooner. CONSUMPTION

The full research paper referred to in this article can be found in The Aeronautical Journal, ISABE Special Issue, September 2021 SEPTEMBER 2021 11 Transmission

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

Where are we going with automation?

It appears that the aviation Chinese media without pilots. There is the industry is mostly committed argument that, should the to eventually replacing human on-board AI fail to control the pilots with artificial intelligence plane, this could be backed (AI) for the transport of civil up by a system to control the passengers. It seems that aircraft by remote control this is a planned, progressive from the ground. Given the system that will begin with number of well protected pilotless city transport VTOL computer systems that have 1921 Position Paper aircraft to accustom the been hacked and even had @flarkey[On 100 years of travelling public to AI- threats of disruption by asking RAeS Position Papers blog(3)] controlled transport aircraft. for ransom, is it not possible In 2017 Chinese engineers retrofitted a Pacific Aerospace Excellent, interesting and This thinking began with that on board aircraft control PAC P-750 XSTOL turboprop into an unpiloted cargo drone. meaty article. Really enjoyed the introduction of Airbus computers could be hacked? reading that. aircraft on the aviation scene. What about auto reliability? One may remember the late - You do not have to pay for downside of operating a An article in AEROSPACE Airbus test pilot and engineer, their medical problems. passenger transport aircraft pointed out that there have - You do not need to have a with AI instead of pilots. AI Bernard Ziegler saying that, been many times when pilots C-17 evacuation since pilots caused most crew scheduling staff. does not have human feelings have saved aircraft when - You do not have to deal with and is therefore indifferent to accidents, future aircraft failures (some not in the @gethinsinflight [On C-17 pilots’ unions. whether an aircraft crashes (1) should be designed to keep book) have occurred . In evacuates 640 Afghans a - You do not have to negotiate or not. Fear of death is a good the pilot out of the control my 37 years of flying airline new record but could it carry contracts with pilots. motivation for a human pilot loop and to be only utilised in aircraft, and 19,600 hours on more?] Great explainer but - You do not have to worry putting their plane down in emergency situations. airliners from DC-3s to 747s, really the answer is that 1,250 about whether their licenses, one piece. Even if passengers What are the advantages of I have had many auto failures. passengers are equivalent passports and visas are up can be conditioned to fly in not having pilots? It could be argued that the to 77.5 tons – that’s the to date. pilotless aircraft, what will - You do not have to pay latest state of the art systems maximum payload for MTOW. These are just a few of the happen when the first ones salaries to pilots. are infallible. They will not be. Thanks #BoeingC17. If you advantages that come to mind crash due to faults in the - You do not have to pay for could get a double decker that will save money. system? After that most the accommodation in hotels Captain Johnny Sadiq seating configuration in Now, let us look at the passengers will refuse to fly when they have stopovers. FRAeS there then bingo! Double the number of passengers to bring it up to full pay-load but are there any aircraft interiors From the RAeS photo archives New RAeS CEO suppliers who do that, apart David Edwards from the OEMs of course. RAeS/NAL

Moss Monaco [On appointment of David @chbkw Hold a wooden/ Edwards as new RAeS CEO] aluminum structure with floor Congratulations. above the people sitting on i original floor, creating two floors with people sitting like in Captain Ameen Budagher the pictures (no fancy seats) Suraya Marshall Welcome David. then I think you theoretically can hit max number of people. Geoffrey Wardle [On Air Cdre Suraya Marshall on Hasan Ahmed I am sending becoming the first woman @alexkf11990 Doesn’t work The start of the first England to Australia flight on 12 a huge congratulations to Mr to command an ‘Operational’ quite like that, the double decker November 1919 which was successfully completed in 27 David. Good luck for the future. Air Group in the RAF] bit would end up only being say days and 20 hours and won an Australian government prize Congratulations. 1/3rd to 1/2 the length of the of £10,000(2). In flying clothing (from left) Ross Smith, Keith Tomaz Metello main cargo bay. This is due to Smith, Sergeant J M (Jim) Bennett and Sergeant W M (Wally) various reasons, the main being Shiers. Between Sgts Bennett and Shiers is R K Pierson Congratulations and good Vidyasagar Kotha Inspiring access to the escape hatches, who designed the Vimy aircraft which has been preserved at luck on your challenging new leadership! post! etc. Any retrofit would potentially Adelaide Airport. take weeks.

12 AEROSPACE Harrier 809 book review AEROSPACE shortlisted for business publication awards

@Robhereagain Any hints on the next book? Bob Tuxford’s story is good but may overlap.

@al_brock I’m quite enjoying it at the moment. When the grandchildren ask, ‘what did you do in the Falklands Grandad?’, I will refer them to page 250. AEROSPACE has received two ‘honorable mentions’ in this year’s prestigious Trade Association @RowlandWhite [On Business Publications International (TABPI) Awards which celebrate excellence in world trade, association and business publications. AEROSPACE’s September 2020 article on ‘Signed Spitfire Harrier 809 reviewed in @Bagpipeflying I bought scrambles to lift nation’s spirits’(5) was listed among the top 25 feature articles while the front AEROSPACE(4)] I’ve been your book on Audible, only cover of the January 2020 ‘green’ special issue was included in the three runner-ups for the Front trying to resist Twitter’s charms for my wife to turn up a few Cover Digital Imagery category(6). while I focus on the next weeks later having been at book but I was thrilled to read the book store with a copy of the review of Harrier 809 in Harrier 809 AND Vulcan 607! AEROSPACE from Talk about a good catch! RAF moving to mainly synthetic training? @CobraBall3. Really bowled USAF/Airman 1st Class Jake Jacobsen over. Thank you! @gmwaterfall [On RAF to go to majority of synthetic (7 @woodycrombie I’m training? ] I like to refer to @jim_debenham A great seldom captivated by a book, it as a live synthetic blend. listen on Audible – learned Rowland, and not a big reader Lots to unpack here. Move to an awful lot about how as a consequence. This book synthetics based on my 4Cs resourceful we can be as a has got me absolutely gripped. as I call them: Cost, Capability, nation when needed. Complexity and Climate.

@MarkBateUK The RAeS at FIAConnect 2021 346FA is $25m+ per unit USAF VR technology flight training at Columbus AFB. and >$20K per hour dry lease over a 10-year period. @EdwardJFKey What if the @daylyt100 If we trend to Technology maturity levels satellites are taken out? 70/30, is there a case for a should drive the blended ‘hands on’ light schedule and not the Treasury. at unit level (similar to some I’m with CQ all the way on this @IanPsDarkCorner What’s US units) for pure flying whose head appears to be in current drone warfare, if not continuity, or some similar the war fighting and not the the slightly smaller scale ‘road show’ arrangement? peace time space. recreation of ‘Ender’s Game’? Might save lives, equipment Kids sitting in a control point, and £s? Saw a few initiatives flying things in combat. The recently but it must not go @_lmob Can’t use video only difference is that they on the back burner! Saving In July, the organisers of the hosted the on Modnet but can push know what they’re doing (in F-35 hours OK, sustaining FIAConnect 2021 online conference on a selection of current zettabytes to the space cloud? ‘hot topics’ in the aerospace and defence industries. Speakers theory!). (improving) pilot skills included RAeS Council Member and Chair of Membership Board absolutely crucial! Laura Hoang (top centre).

1. AEROSPACE, June 2020, p 20, Pilot error! What about pilot saves? 2. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/the-great-transatlantic-race/ 3. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/raes-tackles-cross-channel-air-transport-crisis-in-1921/ 4. AEROSPACE, August 2021, p 46, Book reviews, Harrier 809 5. https://www.tabpi.org/awards/2021-feature-article-top-25-issues 6. https://www.tabpi.org/awards/2021-front-cover-digital-imagery 7. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/the-air-force-of-2040-synthetically-trained-cloud-networked-space-enabled-and-netzero/

@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes f facebook.com/raes www.aerosociety.com SEPTEMBER 2021 13 DEFENCE Global Air Chiefs Conference report

The air force of 2040 synthetically-trained, cloud networked, space-enabled and net zero? BAE Systems

TIM ROBINSON FRAeS reports from the RAF Global Air Chiefs Conference held as a blended virtual/live event in July, which saw high-level military and civilian speakers come together to debate and discuss the future of air and space power.

ack in 2021 with a new name and this and surveillance – while a briefing from eVTOL year organised as a hybrid live/virtual developer Vertical Aerospace, showed how the event due to Covid-19 restrictions, the urban air mobility sector is accelerating technology RAF Global Air Chiefs Conference once in batteries, FBW and advanced composites. again was a must-attend global forum Covering all these headlines and presentations Bfor air and space power professionals and for those would thus be impossible in such a short summary interested in the wider future of armed conflict, but two of the most intriguing were synthetic training technology and society. and multi-domain combat clouds. The conference speakers ranged from UK Minister of the Armed Forces, James Heappey How far can virtual training go? MP, to air chiefs (RAF Chief of the Air Staff ACM Sir Mike Wigston and USAF Chief Gen Charles Q One of the noteworthy headlines from GACC Brown), space commanders (Gen ‘Jay’ Raymond, was the vision from the RAF ACM Chief Sir Mike US Space Force and AVM Paul Godfrey, UK Space Wigston of a move to mostly virtual training with Command), as well as academics, industry executives him saying: “I do not exaggerate when I say that and more. It was also notable as the first RAF air and I can see a future where almost all training, force space power conference after the Integrated Review, generation, and mission planning and rehearsal is which saw winners in R&D for Tempest, drones and done in a synthetic environment, preserving our and space, at arguably the expense of airlift and real world activity for live operations or strategic aggressors – as well as capability gap between the signalling.” retirement of the E-3D Sentry and the introduction of There are a number of compelling reasons for the E-7A Wedgetail. this. The first is that the fidelity of modern flight With the theme of ‘the air and space force of simulators has now improved immeasurably, while 2040’ the one-day conference, organised by the costs have dropped. Consumer sims, such as Air and Space Power Association, was packed with DCS World and MSFS, have arguably outpaced fascinating and thought-provoking sessions – from professional military simulations in some areas and, China’s use of UAVs on the Indian border to ‘probe’ when coupled with VR, can immerse the student in defences in a sub-threshold way, to the RAF’s the world – rectifying the limitations of small desktop ambitious plans to decarbonise and go ‘net zero’ monitors. by 2040 – blazing a trail to more sustainable air The second is that that modern aircraft, such as power. Space power too, is now deeply embedded Typhoon, A400M and F-35, have become, thanks in the fabric of these conferences as the natural to fly-by-wire and automation, far easier to fly than extension of air forces that exploit speed, reach the warplanes of the past. The learning then, has

14 AEROSPACE shifted from training someone to fly the aeroplane However, not all are convinced of this shift to with stick and rudder skills to being able to ‘fight it’ synthetics – arguing that it is Treasury-led in an as a battlespace manager – and that arguably could attempt to cut flying hour costs, rather than improve be performed better in a simulation where multiple combat effectiveness and produce more skilled enemies and friendly forces can be generated – aircrew. I DO NOT putting them in large-scale virtual war games. Surprisingly, USAF Chief General Charles Q EXAGGERATE Another reason for the shift to virtual training Brown was also skeptical of this wholesale shift to WHEN I SAY and mission rehearsal is that of keeping tactics and virtual training, telling a defence media roundtable procedures secret and away from prying eyes and immediately after the conference that, while THAT I CAN ears. Stealth capabilities, advanced radar modes synthetic training “may speed up the learning curve” SEE A FUTURE and accurate weapon ranges can all be practised and offered opportunities because the “technology WHERE ALMOST and trained fully in classified and secure simulations. can support it”, he cautioned: “I think our aircrew ALL TRAINING, The rise of ‘peer nation threats’ and the potential have to get airborne. There’s an aspect of actually breakthroughs in capabilities, such as ‘Loyal not only getting airborne but it’s also for our FORCE Wingman’, swarming drones and AI, means that maintainers. You can’t fix an airplane if it doesn’t fly GENERATION, testing and rehearsing these tactics in the open and break and understand that aspect.” S ACM ir Mik could tip the enemy’s hand and allow them e W He went on: “By using synthetic, it ig AND MISSION s to to develop countermeasures, technology n does maybe save you some money , PLANNING AND C or tactics to negate these when fielded h in operating costs but, at the same i e

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o space systems, even the vast ranges D that maintain our aircraft and our supply ENVIRONMENT. that the US enjoys in Nevada are now ) chain to have a good understanding of ACM Sir Mike becoming too small to practise the kind of how all that comes together.” multi-domain warfare that may dominate the Wigston 21st Century. In synthetics – there is no worry about Air forces in 2040 – operating in a Chief of the Air airspace size, deconfliction with civil traffic, sorties world of zettabytes cancelled due to weather or noise complaints from Staff, low-level flying. Another headline topic at the conference was Royal Air Force To that end, at GACC, Wigston revealed that that of increasingly connected and networked the RAF’s new distributed flight simulation system, battlespace – where seamless digital links connect Gladiator, would be inititally operational by the end sensors and shooters into one dynamic cloud or of this year – and would also be extended with a ‘mesh’. This Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) has £40m investment from the Typhoon to include other been predicted before and never arrived but now RAF and UK platforms, such at the E-7A Wedgetail, the combination of big data, faster computers and Protector and even the Type 45 destroyer, more bandwidth is making this a reality. Indeed, allowing large-scale virtual training to take place. speaking at the conference, Professor Julia Interestingly, it would also be linked to the NEXUS Sutcliffe, Chief Technologist and Director Air Lab, combat cloud (see below). BAE Systems gave an jaw-dropping comparison CAE

RAF students are now trialing Sprint VR flight training devices from CAE as part of MFTS.

SEPTEMBER 2021 15 DEFENCE Global Air Chiefs Conference report

of future data demands when she noted that a – without a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) or Eurofighter Typhoon today: “Operates in the world combined air operations centre (CAOC) manually of terabytes – so, if one grain of rice is a byte, approving the strike. A human, though, would still Typhoon generates a container’s worth of rice over make the final decision to kill. a number of sorties. But, in the multi-domain world of 2040, systems will be operating in the world of Could the USAF leave allies behind? MY INTENT IS TO zettabytes – enough rice to fill the Pacific Ocean”. MAKE SURE WE, This vision of big-data enabled warfare is now However, this vision of high-speed, connected getting closer and ACM Wigston revealed that the warfare and the US’s pivot to Asia-Pacific also IN EVERYTHING RAF’s Combat Cloud, NEXUS, is ready to be fielded, raises its own challenges to partners – according WE DO, THINK saying: “We are now at the point where our combat to a presentation by Justin Bronk, RUSI Air Power ABOUT OUR cloud called NEXUS can begin to be introduced Research Fellow, who observed the vulnerability of ALLIES AND operationally. It is flexible, secure, proven and we the West’s HVA (high value assets), such as E-3D have developed it in-house at a fraction of the cost AWACS, Rivet Joint and tankers, to threat nations PARTNERS of comparators.” will push these ‘enablers’ further away from any Gen Charles Q This software, which can run on computers, laptops or front line. Brown even smartphones and which was coded ‘in-house’, takes Bronk argued that large, expensive, longer- data from a wide variety of sources and ‘tags’ it to be ranged platforms, such as the B-21, NGAD and Chief of Staff of disseminated further around the battlespace. Explained MQ-25, optimised for US needs in Indo-Pacific then the Air Force, Wigston: “In one recent evaluation, we hand carried could decouple the USAF from its partner air forces United States Air the system onboard one of our Voyager aircraft. Once particularly in Europe, which may be unable to Force airborne, laptops and tablets were configured to show a afford these aircraft in large numbers. “All of these real-time Common Operating Picture constructed from systems would make the [combat/mass] problem data ingested into a ground-based NEXUS node from a worse not better for European air forces,” he said. variety of information feeds. This was a functioning C2 Beyond hardware, Bronk said the: “C2 is the network configured at 25,000ft in just 15 minutes.” most important change we are going to see”. He Significant in the roll-out of this long-awaited said that the US shift to ‘Uber-like sensor-shooter multi-domain Combat Cloud is that it was developed matchings’ could also see partners potentially face a in-house by RAF software coders – perhaps a ‘significantly tricky choice’ – either invest in keeping preview of where air forces in 2040 may be pace and fitting in with highly automated US Charle heading – where software coders and s F combat cloud networks or face potentially B o ld cyber hackers may outnumber traditional e being left behind and being unable to n , J r ‘riggers’ or airframe technicians. plug into this American combat web. ( N

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16 AEROSPACE Crown copyright/MoD

allies may ask where their ‘Red Card’ might be in ‘Confident, not the uncertain, complex and dynamic international coalition operations in such a high-speed network. confrontational’, context, with fast-evolving threats becoming These ‘Red Cards’ allow coalition partners to be according to the UK ever more sophisticated and proliferating widely. embedded in US command chain, yet give them a MoD, HMS Queen Secondly, in this era of chronic instability, a UK veto if they feel that rule of engagement or legal Elizabeth sends a message prepared and able to act on the world stage as a that Britain is back on the guidelines are not being followed. global stage. problem-solving, burden-sharing nation, amplifying Gen Brown said: “When you look at the ABMS, our influence through deeper relationships and it’s how we connect but it’s really about data. It’s partnerships. Thirdly, that this government could how we move data and how we move information to not be clearer in its view of the integral role of the make decisions. Part of our dialogue internal in the UK armed forces in UK national power. As those USAF but also, as you look at joint all-domain and themes played out over the last year, the Royal Air command-and-control, or combined joint all-domain Force position was very clear: air and space power command-and-control, is how we bring in our allies gives our government the choice and ability to act and partners.” He explained: “It’s important that we and signal strategically on a global stage, at range, are in good dialogue with our partners so we do not at speed, precisely, with minimal political risk and leave them behind, because that’s not my intent. My maximum political choice.” intent is to make sure we, in everything we do, think This last point of ‘acting on a global stage’ is about our allies and partners,” adding: “Now, on the currently being demonstrated by the hard military aspect of a Red Card, this is something we’re going power of HMS Queen Elizabeth, CSG21 and its to have to work through. It’s not just the technology embarked RAF/RN and USMC air wing – the aspect of this; it’s really our processes that we have biggest yet deployment of fifth generation air power to think about and we have to think about them at sea, differently. I think decisions will happen at a much Thus, despite the topics of NetZero, diversity higher rate of speed because all of the information and other wider social issues, this years GACC and how we are able to use our technology. This also had a underlying hard-edged feel to it – with is something that was discussed at the Global Air Minister of State for Armed Forces, James Heappey Chiefs’ Conference that we might have to do these MP, telling the Chief of the Air Staff that his first things differently and it may be an algorithm that task is: ‘Win the fight”, This reflects the changing helps us be able to determine that. I don’t know and deteriorating international landscape – with that that’s the answer but it’s something we’ve got challenges across all domains from cyber to space. to think about and we may have to do it differently Indeed, post-conference, the announcement that than we do today.” the RAF would be practicing dispersed operations for the first time in three decades, is a market that, Summary despite the feel-good headlines around ‘battle braids’ hair regulations and NetZero green goals, In his opening address, ACM Wigston said there there is a refreshed and rebooted Cold War-esque are three themes to come out of the Integrated focus on surviving, adapting and winning any fight Review and what it means for UK defence: “Firstly, against the toughest adversary.

SEPTEMBER 2021 17 DEFENCE Indian defence procurement Venkat mangudi

Indian defence looks inwards NEELAM MATHEWS assesses India’s drive to self-sufficiency in the defence sector.

ndia brutal second wave of Covid in mid May years that includes an export target of $5bn military has led to its defence industry undergoing hardware. a further disruptive change – for the better. “Of key concern is the China- Falling cash reserves have resulted in collaborative approach…. If you are militarily strong, tightened budgets and a slow but sure change you will be diplomatically strong. We are not a Iis now a constant with a clear message that foreign military power but a military force. We need to build procurement must be reduced. Last year, in an military capability, self reliance and optimise budget initiative aiming for self reliance, the Department of priorities,” said Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia Former Director Military Affairs of the Ministry of Defence released General Military Operations (DGMO) Indian Army. an embargo on import of 101 products beyond The ongoing conflict between China and India given timelines to boost indigenisation of defence in East Ladakh has resulted in some emergency production. A second list was released with the procurement, though the focus on Make in India is Above: The Indian embargo coming into effect for some items from clear. government has formally December 2020 with others along the way with the awarded state-owned long-range land attack cruise missile – banned from Making defence local company Hindustan December 2025. Aeronautics Limited (HAL) The negative lists hold huge prospects for a contract to produce 83 manufacturing for the Indian defence industry. The indigenously designed Defending India Tejas Light Combat Aircraft move offers encouragement of use of domestic (LCA) for the Indian Air The defence ministry has set a goal of a turnover design and development capability to meet Force (IAF). of $25bn in defence manufacturing in the next five requirements of the forces, Raman Sopory, founder

18 AEROSPACE of the Aerospace Defence Consultants Association of India told AEROSPACE. This community of startups and small and medium enterprises (SME) has played a major role during the pandemic to encourage defence companies to adopt next gen technologies while also contributing to medical equipment in short supply. For instance, ADCAI members added to the manufacturing base for oxygen concentrators, ventilators and masks. With the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 (DAP 2020), mandating larger companies like the Tata Group and Larsen and Toubro to have a 60% indigenised content and opening sourcing to SMEs: “We are starting to become a part of the Indian and global OEMs supply chain,” said Sopory. However, policies needed to be more transparent, he said. In addition, indigenous projects like the Light Combat Aircraft and its variants will need an Indian industry – large and small – to source its parts. Boeing Defense A recent IAF order for 83 light combat aircraft (LCA) will provide a big boost for the local Indian industry is now 80% of equipment on the negative list is either manufactures. Delivery will take place within ten supplying tools for fatigue already being made in India or on its final legs years, starting 36 months of contract signing. and static testing of towards completion. “Besides, the new DAP2020 Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Tail In February Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister advanced trainer. has opened up foreign investment in India and inaugurated HAL’s second LCA plant in Bengaluru, encourages partnerships between present OEMs which will double production capacity to 16 aircraft and the Indian industry.” Verma said the Indian a year. HAL already has around 600 suppliers aerospace defence sector had grown during the with the first front fuselage for the full operational pandemic specifically in the area of components, capability (FOC) version built by Bengaluru-based sub systems and radars. Dynamatic Technologies. Amit Cowshish former Financial Advisor Hi-tech defence collaboration (Acquisition), Indian MoD calls the embargo on import a ‘forcible indigenisation’. In a comment he The industry is also moving up the value chain, explained that the MoD would have little option but Udayant Malouhtra, CEO Dynamatic Technologies, to waive the embargo “if an indigenously designed said at Aero India 2021. The Israeli UAV Heron and manufactured equipment/platform conforming is to be built by his company in collaboration with to the SQRs was not available” by the timeline Israel’s IAI and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The set for it. Abhishek Verma Partner Aerospace & multi-role, long range MALE for strategic missions, Defence Practice KPMG India, said around 70- IAI Heron 1 UAV in flight. is equipped with automatic taxi-takeoff and landing systems, satellite communication for extended range, and fully redundant avionics. Dynamatic, Venkat mangudi which had been a partner with Boeing on the P-8 Poseidon and CH-47 Chinook for the past ten years, was recently contracted delivery of tools for the static and fatigue testing of the control surfaces of the Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk programme, an all-new advanced pilot training system designed for the US Air Force that will train the next generation of fighter and bomber pilots. Another partnership in the offing is that of Tata Group having acquired intellectual property rights to the twin-engine German Grob G180 SPn which is no longer in business. It hopes to manufacture the aircraft and integrate Indian sensors and payloads. “We are now focusing on modifying the aircraft to fit special payloads so that it can undertake a demonstration of surveillance capabilities,” a senior official from the Tata Group said. DAP-2020 emphasises the use of artificial

SEPTEMBER 2021 19 DEFENCE Indian defence procurement Juergen Lehle

intelligence, indigenously developed military Intellectual property rights Producing drones materials, special alloys, indigenous software, for the twin-engine German engines and silicon wafers. “AI has not matured to Grob G180 SPn now rests NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) with India’s Tata Group an extent where completely autonomous missions – with the potential aim space start-up is engaged in development of next can be executed. There are multiple applications of developing it as a multi- generation missions and technologies (NGM&T) wherein AI can be used more extensively for mission ISR platform for towards future warfare needs of the Indian defence optimising air operations and compressing the the Indian armed forces. forces. It is undertaking research towards enhancing OODA (observe-orient-decide-act) loop at the persistence and autonomy for unmanned vehicles and starting process in efficiency,” explained IAF Air robotic swarms. In a live demonstration in late January Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria at a recent webinar. the company demonstrated for the Indian army a While he said it is being developed in multiple swarm of 75 drones in different classes – a first areas in the air domain to accrue diverse and globally – up to 30kg. Scout drones investigated the asymmetrical operations benefits, concerns needed targets, while mothership drones released explosive- to be addressed whether “algorithms can be trained laden kamikaze units for the attacks. “The challenge to effectively execute mission planning behaviours is to map performing class of drones into overlapping in unpredictable scenarios; can machines be taught missions, deliver operational requirements… The combat strategies; could sufficiently generalised efficacy of effectiveness is five to ten times more representations be built to capture the richness of using different capabilities,” said Sameer Josh, the planning problem itself across the threat matrix. CEO NRT, to AEROSPACE. “We are developing ... The answer to these questions will help us firm up technology that the end user is not as yet asking for. our requirement specifications that will essentially The next few years will be focused on consolidation be a starting document vis-à-vis the expected and “research will remain our core focus,” said Joshi. outcomes. If we tend to utilise AI heavily in combat NRT’s product development portfolio includes aviation, we may need to redefine or even abandon a solar power stratospheric high altitude pseudo certain traditional principles.” satellite (HAPS) unmanned platform and an air/ The IAF is already looking at AI, said Bhadauria. ground launched stand-off ISR/hard kill autonomous “Having gone through some of the very important system. NRT is also developing initial capability automation projects in the recent past, we have towards manned unmanned teaming and design of started testing AI and AI-based applications an unmanned wingman UCAV vehicle. on various projects that are in different stages. Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, Deputy Chief of Air We have already improved our operational Staff, IAF said: “We are standing at the cusp of next efficacy by shrinking timelines. In the area of level of revolution in military operations. In the coming aircraft maintenance that we have substantially years we will witness AI tools augmenting the human digitised, we have all our fleets onto the electronic ability in planning and fighting air battles.” maintenance management systems. Similarly, In January, the Indian Army signed a $20m our entire inventory management system is contract for undisclosed quantities of a high-altitude digitised. We have already started to work on variant of startup ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV to be AI-based formulation to come out with predictive delivered through a year. The contract marks a maintenance or predictive threat scenarios or red strategic shift in the Indian defence procurement flags,” he added. process as the Indian Army goes on an aggressive

20 AEROSPACE ideaForge 21 SEPTEMBER 2021 Partnerships with OEMsPartnerships are becoming the norm Another first in the arena is startup Angikul MRO pandemic has left its footprint on the global The civilindustry that is turning inwards – as is in the military convergence of MRO Increasingly in India. theit is being recognised that it is not the job of government to run a business. Spares of legacy SovietRussian aircraft are waning and India and is buying a large number of western equipment, C-17s,including Apaches, P8Is, C130Js, Rafales more. All these need upgrades and and much maintenance. helping local businesses upgrade their processes costs are also coming down with and skills. Logistics of aircraft half way around the world/ no ferrying Confidence building is taking place as defence personally supervise work in maintenance experts offset Indian hangars. Boeing, as part of its defence regulations, has contracted private civil MRO Air for the 737s of the Indian Navy ‘D’ checks Works P8ls, and the IAF Boeing Business Jets used for interiors The VVIPs, Minister. including the Prime of the BBJs refurbished by US Aloft at have been company is also carrying The the Indian hangar. Tendering is on by out modifications on the Mi17s. Boeing to tap an Indian partner for MRO for the delivered to the air force. The Chinooks and Apaches recently opened AAR-Indamer MRO facility in Nagpur could likely prove a private sector provider to defence. US-based is the largest MRO AAR Corp in the world civil and to India’s and brings a host of experience MRO.defence at time of signing. In February, the two companies at time of signing. In February, collaborated component on a critical aero-engine using metal 3D printing.operating in the hot zone, the inner ring), is nozzle guide vane (also called The resilient steel A286,3D printed in a high temperature certification.has been awarded airworthiness Cosmos that has recently test fired the country’s engine. Along with the Indian first 3D printed rocket Madras, it is now building a Institute of Technology, 100kg satellites into that can launch small rocket slated by the end of low Earth orbit with the launch 2022, said the startup co-founder and CEO Srinath the used a combustion chamber, “We Ravichandran. largest in the world and printed the entire rocket atengine in one shot.” Now the company is looking building missiles using 3D.

Neelam Matthews

ile, is making

“IAF has taken the lead in this arena… This is “IAF has taken the lead in this arena… This An MoU signed in 2020 between Hindustan 3D printing in weight and design iterations, reduction Faster benefit to the Indian manufacturing will be of flexible to be released soon on 3Dindustry awaiting a policy initiatives, including reductionprinting that will provide on taxes. 3D printing meanwh modernisation drive. This fixed wing VTOL fixed wing VTOL drive. This modernisation and landing) Switch (vertical take-off deployed at high altitude can be UAV for day and nightand harsh environment surveillance andsurveillance in intelligence, “It is man-portable andreconnaissance missions. target compared to any otherhas the highest time on the company. in its class,” claims UAV its impact slowly but surely on civil and military maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services Indian Air starting to synergise and gain traction. The has, for the first time, released a RfP for 140 Force of3D printed components that include development for thewasher flat for the Snecma M-53 aero engine engine is in service with Dassault Mirage 2000. The IAF says it will India also on the Mirage 2000-5. The release another RfI for 3D components soon. 3D a huge opportunity and boost for the industry. printing can be used as huge multiplier for defence and for MRO based equipment in particular for legacy we’veincluding fighters and transporters, previously 3D has also been used for said Sopory. had …”, drones design and production by ideaForge. Wipro Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and private IT giant 3D for design, development, validation, manufacture components using metal 3D and repair of defence has already taken shape. It leaves printing technology keyno stone upturned with validation listed as a will provide significant manufacturing, element. “This MROexisting, upcoming, and freedom to flexibility and legacy aerospace programmes,” said Ajay Parikh, 3D & Business Head, Wipro President Vice ideaForge’s ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV. SWITCH The start-upThe drone manufacturer NewSpace & Technologies Research (NRT). Right: l AIR TRANSPORT Pilot mental health Mental health wellbeing for all

A recent RAeS conference looked at the issue of pilot mental health, what airlines were doing to implement new EASA/CAA regulations and how the lessons learned could be applied to the wider aerospace community. BILL READ FRAeS reports.

n 27-28 April the RAeS hosted a virtual productivity (cannot have too few crew), real cost conference on Mental Wellbeing and (layovers, transport, overtime), quality of life (time off), Human Performance: Moving beyond robustness (cover for illness) and fatigue risks. It is Regulatory Compliance. A follow-up not possible to satisfy all these conditions so airlines from a previous conference held in need to compromise across all five areas. The planning OMay 2019 (the 2020 conference was cancelled due THE PANDEMIC begins with determining which flights would operate to Covid-19), the event looked at what has happened HAS INCREASED and then the crews needed to fly them. The rosters in the area of aviation personnel mental health and also have to account for different work patterns wellbeing over the past two years and what needs to THE NUMBER depending on pilots’ individual circumstances. Pilots be done in the future. OF MENTAL who are parents may only want to work on some At the 2019 conference, the main topic of HEALTH days and always return to their home base, some discussion was new European Union Safety Agency PROBLEMS pilots want to work with certain other flight crew and (EASA) safety rules on air operations introduced in avoid working with others and some pilots want to 2018 following the fatal crash of a Germanwings Kris Major have particular days off for holidays and so on. There A320 in 2015 (see Caring for pilots, February 2020, is also the problem that, despite forward planning, it p25 ). The new regulations include provisions designed Chair for the is not always possible to predict what flights will be to better support the mental health of air crew, Joint Aircrew needed. If an aircraft fails and needs to be replaced by including psychological evaluations for pilots, as well Committee, another, it may also require a different flight crew. “If as support and reporting systems. However, the advent European you change, for example, from an A320 to a 737, you of Brexit in 2020 has meant that the UK is no longer Transport can keep the cabin crew but you may need a different governed by the EASA rules, although the rules will still flight crew if pilots are not trained on that type,” said be implemented by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Workers Klemets. “The more plans are changed unexpectedly, In addition to looking at pilots, the 2019 Federation particularly at the last minute, the more stress is put conference also examined the issue of mental health onto flight crews.” on aerospace professionals working in the wider Figure 1 aviation community – a theme which was developed Tomas Klemets further in this year’s conference.

Help for pilots

Flying an aircraft is a stressful job and many pilots are subject to stress both from work and from personal reasons. “Pilots already had a tough job but it has been made even harder,” commented occupational psychologist Karen Moore. One cause of pilot stress at work is when they are expected to fly and for how long. Tomas Klemets, Head of Scheduling Safety at Jeppesen, talked about the importance of pilot crew rosters and their effect on pilots (see Fig. 1). He explained that the way airlines created rosters was a complicated process. Airlines are trying to balance

22 AEROSPACE Karen Moore

The Virtuous Circle of Resilience Paul Reuter

Confidence

Reliability Strength

The stress of Covid-19 Flying an aircraft was Success already a stressful job but then along came Covid-19. A new stress factor for pilots in the past 12 months The Vicious Cycle of Doubt has, of course, been the onset of Covid-19. Many pilots lost their jobs or were furloughed with no Under certainty that they would return to work. “The Confidence pandemic has increased the number of mental health problems,” admitted Kris Major, Chair for the Joint Aircrew Committee, European Transport Workers Federation. For those pilots who remained flying, Unreliability Weakness there were other problems. “The risk of infection has also meant that pilots also don’t feel safe at work,” said Captain Paul Reuter, Chairman, European Pilot Peer Support Initiative. Surprisingly, there were also benefits. “Pilots felt less stressed during Covid Failure because they got decent sleep patterns,” observed Niven Phoenix, Director, Kura Human Factors As Covid travel restrictions start to ease, pilots Figure 2 are beginning to return to work. However, many of those who have not flown for a while need to get psychological evaluations for pilots, as well as setting used to being in a cockpit again. “There is a risk not up support and reporting systems. However, it was just of ‘burn-out’ but of ‘rust-out’,” cautioned Marc felt by many speakers that some airlines were using Atherton who chaired the conference. “Pilots who are the psychological evaluations not to help pilots but returning to work need to renew their skills.” There is as a safety precaution. Some airlines were taking also the risk of pilot shortages, as pilots – and other the view that pilots need to be screened for potential skilled air transport personnel – may have found work mental health problems and, if necessary, removed elsewhere. “We are losing talent at an astonishing to avoid a repetition of the Germanwings incident. rate,” said Paul Reuter. “We need to get it back.” As a result of this, pilots often see their mental health as an issue not to be discussed or revealed to Airline viewpoint management to avoid losing their licences. Regarding pyschological assessment for So, what can be done to reduce pilot stress? The pilots, Anna Vereker, Human Factors Programme new EU/CAA rules require airlines to conduct Specialist at the CAA, explained how it was not intended to be a judgement on pilots’ mental health but was a means of robust selection to ensure that pilots are a good fit for an organisation. There were also concerns that many airline operators are concentrating their attention on other issues, with one speaker commenting that CEOs were more worried about money than mental health.

Peer group support

As for peer group support programmes, the speakers were concerned that their effectiveness would be diminished if either management or pilots were not convinced by their value. One speaker highlighted an airline safety training programme which told

SEPTEMBER 2021 23 l AIR TRANSPORT Pilot mental health Paul Reuter

Figure 3

pilots that if they said they were feeling suicidal, The scale of the problem then they would lose their licence. “There is no point in having peer support which is filling holes The conference also addressed the issue of how to While peer- which management has dug,” commented Niven measure the scale of potential pilot mental health Phoenix. However, he was convinced issues. Getting data on how much pilots support that peer-support programmes could are affected by mental health issues is programmes can bring benefits to both pilots and their not easy, as pilots are reluctant to speak build bridges to employers. “Airlines may not be keen on out. “We need to focus on evidence but help pilots regain spending money but peer support will industry doesn’t have a clear take,” said help with reducing absenteeism and Dr Joan Cahill, Principal Investigator confidence, pilots also ‘presenteeism’ – staying at work WE NEED at Trinity College Dublin. “The big need to make the when you’re ill.” TO FOCUS challenge is to make workers feel decision to use Another issue with peer support NOT JUST ON comfortable about providing evidence.” is what one speaker described as the “We need to speak openly and remove them ‘right stuff’ factor. “How do you know PILOTS BUT ON the fear of using certain words, such there’s a pilot at your party?” asked THE WHOLE as depression and mental health,” Paul Reuter. “Oh he’ll tell you.” Pilots INDUSTRY added Paul Cullen, Research Assistant, have high personal and professional Trinity College, Dublin. There were also standards with a public image of always Marc Atherton concerns from pilots on how the data being calm, in control and able to deal Chair, RAeS might be used. “It needs to be dealt with stress. “Pilots have a ‘virtuous circle with in a secure non-identifiable way,” of resilience reliability’ – confidence – Human Factors declared Tomas Klemets. “The focus A recognition of stress is strength – success,” said Reuter. “These Wellbeing Group of current data is on what employees crucial, not just for pilots are all good qualities – except when are doing and thinking but we need and air traffic controllers but also for cabin crew, things go wrong. See Fig. 2 on p 21). information on organisations too,” MRO engineers, airport However, the stresses and strains of both work and agreed Joan Cahill. “We need to decide what data we workers and ground personal circumstances can pull down on that circle. need to estimate wellbeing.” handlers. Many pilots have sufficient resilience to bounce

back.” He cited a survey which claimed that, when Bill Read/RAeS faced with an emotional cliff face, up to 25% of pilots will need a friend and a rope to get back up to where they were before. However, 5% of pilots don’t have a rope or refuse to have a rope, taking the view that it’s their problem and they don’t need help from others. “Pilots are not used to failure,” said Reuter. “If you fall, it hurts, you can’t cope, you’ve failed, there is a risk of losing your licence – pilots can slide very quickly into deep dark areas.” Reuter went on to explain how peer-support programmes for pilots provide a bridge to cross the chasm and climb the cliff to get back into the virtuous cycle (see Fig. 3). However, there is still a gap which pilots have to cross – they actually have to use the support programme. “They have to climb themselves – it is not an elevator.”

24 AEROSPACE Bill Read/RAeS Legal implications

The issue of mental health is also becoming a legal issue for organisations. Gerard Forlin QC explained how the onset of Covid had led to an increase in work risk assessment. “Stress is becoming an important word,” he warned. “Health and safety violations don’t need a death, just a risk. The prosecution of stress- related incidents is only a matter of time. If your audits pick up that you have knowledge of a problem before an incident and did nothing about it, then it will be used as evidence against you.”

The ATC experience

In some sectors of the aviation industry, stress management training is already mandatory. Jóhann

Bill Read/RAeS Wium described how the EU introduced new regulations in 2017, requiring stress management training for air traffic controllers. Wium explained how ATCs were not keen on discussing stress: Introducing “Controllers felt that being able to handle stress was mental health seen as a point of pride while not handling stress support for all air was bad and not to be talked about. Our solution was transport workers to create workshops with optional self-assessment. The answers were anonymous. As a result, ATCs built could help to an awareness of stress, its effects and how to cope improve safety for with it, so that it was no longer seen as a negative all air transport thing.” Wium added that the ATC experience had been users good, although it had to be careful to take a fine line between supporting and snooping.

Care in the community Stress The speakers agreed that a recognition of stress was management crucial, not just for pilots and air traffic controllers but training is already across all safety critical groups in the aviation industry, mandatory for such as cabin crew, MRO engineers, airport workers ATC personnel and ground handlers. “We can’t compartmentalise aviation safety,” said Kris Major. “Peer support need to include more than just pilots.” However, much still needs to be done to convince employees of the advantages of a mental health The importance of organisational support programme. “People won’t remove themselves culture from operations because they fear punitive measures,” warned Major. “In ground handling, the fear factor is However, while airlines may be required by the new huge. Workers have a fear of management and you EU/CAA regulations to provide mental health support don’t get incident reports because people are too for pilots, the service will not be effective if it is not frightened to submit them.” used by pilots or management is not convinced of “We need to focus not just on pilots but on the its value. “People need to be in situations where whole industry,” declared Marc Atherton. “We need to they can own up to mistakes and organisations can promote a positive cultural shift to create a positive learn from them,” said Paul Reuter. “Wellbeing is and safe operational environment where everyone underpinned by organisational culture,” assented Joan feels supported and safe.” “If you take care of staff, it Cahill. “We need to move from a culture of safety to will not just have an influence on safety but positively a culture of health and safety.” “The key challenge influence the whole company,” assented Paul Reuter. for management is gaining trust from employees,” “We have not reached the pinnacle of safety,” remarked aviation psychologist at Isavia ANS, Jóhann warned Kris Major. “We can either do something Wium. “However, management also need to trust their about it or play Jenga by sitting on the regulations and employees not to misuse the system.” thinking that they are adequate.”

SEPTEMBER 2021 25 SPACEFLIGHT Space debris – the legal questions Does this spark joy? A case for decluttering and tidying orbital space junk

MELISSA TANG and PATRICK SLOMSKI of global law firm Clyde & Co consider the legal ramifications of the growing challenge of space debris. n the 60 odd years of space exploration medium Earth orbit (MEO) and geostationary orbit following the Soviet Union’s launch of its (GEO). We are increasingly relying on satellite first satellite in 1957, space has become technology for meteorology, geology, climate increasingly cluttered with derelict satellites, research, , navigation, remote burnt-out rocket stages, discarded trash and sensing and human space exploration purposes. Iother debris, prompting NASA to refer to the lower Assisted by lower per-launch costs and cheaper earth orbit (LEO) as an ‘orbital space junk yard’. satellite development, the number of satellites The commercial use of space is growing at an being manufactured and launched into LEO has increasing rate. The launch of ‘mega- increased. Commercial companies constellations’ which can comprise such as SpaceX, Google and Amazon thousands of small satellites will are competing to deploy ‘mega increase the problems associated with constellations’ of internet satellites orbital debris. Space debris travels in LEO to provide affordable and at very high speeds such that even a reliable internet connectivity. NASA collision with a small piece of debris EVEN A has signalled continuing ambitions (eg a fleck of paint) can damage or to partner with the private sector destroy working satellites, threaten COLLISION to develop new space activities in space missions, and create new debris WITH A SMALL LEO focusing on cargo and crew fragments. PIECE OF transportation, and eventually, There is growing international DEBRIS (EG industrialisation. recognition of the need to deal with The expected commercialisation orbital debris and to provide an adequate A FLECK OF of space beyond aerospace and international framework to address PAINT) CAN defence adds to the ongoing challenge the complex legal issues that it raises. DAMAGE OR of managing orbital debris. Currently Current space treaties do not provide DESTROY there are more pieces of space debris an effective framework to regulate in LEO than operational satellites with the issue of orbital debris and there is WORKING the European Space Agency’s Space no effective international law regime SATELLITES, Debris Office likening it to ‘driving down regarding responsibility to mitigate THREATEN a road which has more broken cars, debris creation, or the remediation of bikes and vans lining the street than the orbital environment (and who bears SPACE functioning vehicles’. As of 20 May the costs). Liability for damage caused MISSIONS, 2021, the European Space Agency by debris raises complex legal issues, AND CREATE estimates that there are 34,000 debris with much interpretation left to individual NEW DEBRIS objects larger than 10cm along with entities (and their lawyers). 900,000 debris objects between 1cm FRAGMENTS to 10cm currently in orbit around Earth. Why should we care about Most of the debris objects comprise the management of orbital debris? mission-related debris release and fragmentation debris from accidental collisions and intentional Space is vast. Earthling space activities are currently destruction of satellites (such as the anti-satellite primarily limited to three orbital regions: LEO, weapon test by China in 2007).

26 AEROSPACE Space Centre) 27

SEPTEMBER 2021 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities Treaty Three treaties with potential relevance to the treaties Three Article VI, VII and IX in the Outer Space Treaty 1967 of states in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space (Outer Space Treaty) 1976 Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Registration Convention) 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (Liability Convention)    ● contain language that might be used to support an argument that signatory nations are obliged to avoid the creation of, reduce, and even remove, space debris to allow all states to participate in Current regulatory and legal environment ‘hard law’ or mandatory is no effective There in regime regulating the issues of orbital debris Although many states current international law. as part legally require debris mitigation measures of their licensing process for space launchers and operators, adherence to the debris mitigation as the Space Debris measures developed (such Mitigation Guidelines of the United Nations Uses of Outer Space) Committee on the Peaceful As private commercial space activity are voluntary. increases, there are growing concerns that the law framework is insufficient to international existing regulate space debris. issue of space debris are the: ● ● foul of the Kessler syndrome. The Kessler syndrome Kessler syndrome. The foul of the Kessler posits that at a certain point, collisions between leading space debris could cause a cascading effect increase of space debris. to exponential

ESA Unless standardised and binding mitigation Space debris can remain in orbit for a very long can remain in orbit Space debris the Earth’s atmosphere can cause potential safety atmosphere can cause potential safety the Earth’s and environmental threat to objects on Earth as highlighted by the recent uncontrolled re-entry of 5B in May 2021. March Long China’s measures are adopted at the international level, the will continue to rise, amount of space debris in LEO impacting the viability of future space exploration. also or complete loss of access to LEO partial The to higher orbits, GEOendangers launches and MEO, threat of eventually falling and there is the time depending upon its size, nature, and altitude. upon its size, nature, time depending debris the longer the orbital higher the altitude, The typical orbit. At the Earth’s will typically remain in in orbit, subject to the collision speeds of 10km/s with space debris size of the debris, a collision the degradation of has the potential to accelerate critically damage or destroy operational satellites, and threaten space missions, operational satellites Space Station. In 2020, including the International resides in Station (which the International Space its path three times was forced to manoeuvre LEO) with space debris. As to avoid potential collisions not always it may trackable, not all orbital debris is away from a collision. be possible to manoeuvre bodies is also a risk that rocket and satellites There that do not disintegrate fully before re-entering Right: This image shows Right: This how a net capture of space out.debris might be carried Below: An artist’s impression of space debris currently orbiting Earth. SPACEFLIGHT Space debris – the legal questions

the exploration and the use of outer space with Another obstacle associated with fault- acceptable risk from debris. However, whether the based liability is the difficulty of proving a causal provisions are intended to encompass space debris connection between the debris-causing ‘accident’ may be vigorously debated, as the provisions are and damage. The most practical problem in vague. establishing liability for damage caused by The Liability and Registration Conventions orbital debris is proving who is responsible for its are relevant to the liability of signatory states for generation. The Registration Convention seeks to damage caused by their space objects. provide for information to assist with determining Article III of the Liability Convention deals with liability by mandating that all ‘launching states’ damage that occurs in outer space and makes maintain a register of objects launched into space. signatory nations liable to other nations for damage Article VI of the Registration Convention directs caused by space objects for which they are the nations with monitoring or tracking facilities to aid ‘launching state’. Nations are responsible and may be in the identification of space objects that cause held liable for the commercial activities of their citizen damage. However, proving that damage has been private companies in space, including (arguably) for caused by space debris may be difficult. It may not the consequences and resulting damage of space be possible to trace the damage to orbital debris debris created by those activities. or to the owner of the debris-generating launched While the Liability Convention may cover object. Currently, only space debris larger than damage caused by orbital debris, there are 10cm is tracked and catalogued. Therefore, the difficulties establishing liability under that regime. origin of smaller pieces of orbital debris, that cannot For compensation to be payable, a victim nation be tracked or catalogued by the launching state, is must demonstrate ‘fault’, causation, and damage. likely to be uncertain. The Liability Convention does not define ‘fault’ and There is then also the issue of whether it can there is uncertainty whether the standard of care be said that the launcher of the debris-generating to which the wrongdoer should be held equate to object was at ‘fault’; for example, the if the the common law or civil law standards of fault. The debris generation was as a result of collision of uncertainty is compounded by the lack of mandatory uncontrolled objects (or debris!). As with many of international standards of conduct regarding debris the questions and issues surrounding the subject, mitigation in space. Commentators have advocated that is an untested question. for a strict liability system as an alternative to a fault- There is also a question of who has jurisdiction based system for in-orbit damage, and such regimes to hear space debris claims and of the law (with liability limitations) have been used in other applicable to any such claim in private national law. areas of human endeavour to foster the expansion This gives rise to a ‘patch-work’ of domestic legal of commercial operations, such as in international regimes that would be applied, varying from national aviation (for example). to nation across the world.

28 AEROSPACE NASA NASA

Above left: Entry hole The Liability Convention only applies to states has not been widely applied; the only instance of a created on Space Shuttle and each country has authority to make laws formal claim arose out of the re-entry of a Russian Endeavour’s radiator panel by the impact of unknown regulating various outer space activities by their spacecraft which caused radioactive debris to be space debris. nationals. While the Liability Convention scheme scattered on Canadian territory. The claim was settled Above right: An impact focuses on diplomatic solutions to address claims by diplomatic means. crater on one of the caused by a space object, Article XI leaves open the The possibility of having numerous dispute windows of the Space possibility for claims to be brought before the national resolution avenues and applicable laws raises the Shuttle Challenger courts or administrative tribunals or spectre of uncertainty, and a very following a collision with a agencies of a launching state. Article significant barrier to enabling wider paint chip XXIII of the Liability Convention also commercialisation of orbital space. allows states to enter into their own Without an adequate legal international agreements without interference from framework addressing the regulation the Liability Convention. of orbital debris and liability issues, The Liability Convention establishes SPACE-FARING an operator suffering loss in orbit joint and several liability when there NATIONS MUST will face very significant issues when is more than one launching state. The seeking to recover compensation for existence of multiple launching states TAKE THE LEAD damage caused by orbital debris. Such increases the available jurisdictions TO GARNER a regime may also provide for the cost for disputes for orbital damage claims INTERNATIONAL of remediation of this arena for new to be brought. In the absence of an CO-OPERATION commercial endeavour. international convention or other ON THE international legal regime providing a Conclusion clear liability regime for damage caused DEVELOPMENT by orbital debris, national laws will most OF BINDING As discussed above, the current legal likely be applied in respect of claims INTERNATIONAL regime is inadequate to address arising from private commercial space liability and complex issues related activities. Against this backdrop, the LAWS AND to space debris collision. The space- potential for different national laws and POLICIES faring nations must take the lead to legal regimes to apply creates ample garner international co-operation on opportunity for parties (and their lawyers) to engage the development of binding international laws and in extended argument over which jurisdiction is policies to address the growing space debris problem. appropriate and which law should be applied. Given the scale of the debris problem, any inaction In addition to the liability challenges raised, the will impact the long-term sustainability of space lack of a clear mechanism for dispute resolution activities and fail to preserve Earth’s in the Liability Convention and the need to involve orbital space as the common heritage of all mankind. signatory nations to bring claims against other The law (both international and domestic) in nations on behalf of private operators for whom they this growing area of interest remains untested and are responsible, has inevitably resulted in the Liability unclear and therefore, has the potential to be of great Convention not being commonly used or relied upon. importance to current and future users of space. It There has yet to be a claim on the basis of damage is a topic that needs to be watched carefully and occurring while in orbit. The Liability Convention clarified for the benefit of all concerned.

SEPTEMBER 2021 29 DEFENCE Leonardo AW149

Chopper country Tim Robinson/RAeSTim

TIM ROBINSON FRAeS reports from Britain’s historic rotorcraft centre of excellence, Yeovil, as Leonardo pitches its AW149 for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter requirement.

e are dropping down to 500ft should one powerplant suddenly shut-down. and racing over the English The second is the smoothness of the flight and countryside, in a sleek black the quietness of the cabin. True, it is only a short flight flying machine – with the aircraft but we arrive back in Yeovil refreshed and raring for tilting first this way and then the more. Longer flights, therefore, will see troops arrive otherW as the co-pilot calls to avoid flocks of curious with minimum fatigue from the flight itself. sheep. Minutes later, we are hovering behind a The AW149 demonstrator being used by treeline, in a ‘battle position’ while using the auto- Leonardo is actually a civil AW189 company aircraft, hover to peek over the wood. I’m in the rear cabin of repainted in a military colour scheme and fitted with Leonardo’s AW149 Common Platform Demonstrator ’s Aneto-1K engines. While it lacks military (CPD), while two of Leonardo’s senior test pilots, specific equipment, such as seat armour, EO/IR (Mark Burnand, Chief Test Pilot and Lee Evans, Test sensors, defensive aids and armament, Leonardo Pilot) put the helicopter through its paces on a short believes the demonstrator gives a broadly accurate demo flight to show off the aircraft. view of the type’s performance, dimensions and In flight, the main rotor being tilted forward very baseline avionics fit and has been flying media, MoD slightly means that the aircraft flies in a fuselage officials and decision makers to inform them of its level attitude, cutting down on drag but there is no potential to meet the UK’s New Medium Helicopter difference in visibility to be seen once in the hover. (NMH) requirement. Two things stand out immediately. Firstly – despite its size (it is a 19-seat helicopter) it is uncommonly The New Medium Helicopter agile for such a largish aircraft – as if there is a Lynx or Wildcat fighting to get out – a feature noted by The NMH emerging requirement, as stated in Evans – with his background in the smaller, more agile this year’s Integrated Review, aims to replace the Lynx. We barely need power reserves and the AW149 50-year old Puma in RAF service, along with pulls impressive wingovers that would thrill an airshow other niche mini fleets of AAC Airbus Dauphins crowd. With six passengers on board and 1,400kg on and Bell AB212s, as well as RAF Bell 412s fuel the AW149 was able to climb at over 4,000ft per operated in Cyprus. This will see four types minute. In the hover too, it is safe with a single-engine, replaced with one single helicopter – covering a

30 AEROSPACE variety of roles from troop transport, underslung relativity light aircraft, speaks for itself”, adding: “You loads, special forces assault, CASEVAC/ want it compact but you want it like a Tardis inside”. MEDVAC and Combat SAR. Its compact footprint is not just useful for confined With the Puma out-of-service date just four forest clearings or urban landing zones but also years away in 2025, industry is expecting a fast in giving flexibility to potentially deploy on smaller THE SIZE OF decision from the MoD with around 35-40 airframes ships. Though the AW149 is not a dedicated marine THE CABIN AND needed to replace these four fleets. Though this UK helicopter, this versatility is extremely useful given procurement is relatively small compared to the NATO the wide range of missions that it could perform and THE PAYLOAD Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) and where global Britain may be involved in the future. It is CAPABILITY, FOR the giant US FVL (Future Vertical Lift) progammes, also air-transportable by C-17 or A400M. A RELATIVITY it is nevertheless attracting attention as the first Meanwhile, a large window behind the pilot’s seat SMALL, UK defence competition post-IR and one in which means that a gunner can be clear of the main sliding industry is keen to compete in. door – important for assault landings or extractions RELATIVITY from hot lamding zones where troops may need LIGHT Compact footprint, roomy cabin supporting fire from the helicopter itself, without the AIRCRAFT, door gunner obstructing the main cabin door. For this, Yeovil-based Leonardo is proposing its One unique feature are external cameras which SPEAKS FOR twin-engine AW149 medium helicopter. Leonardo’s allow the pilots to monitor loading and unloading ITSELF. Mike Morrisroe (Head of UK Campaigns) explains of personnel from the cabin – aiding situational Mark Burnand the choice of the AW149 for the NMH: “We looked awareness when in confined spaces or on the ground Chief Test Pilot, at those roles today and how they might progress in and also acting as another check beyond a rear-crew the future, and we looked at the AW149 and likely member that all troops are embarked or disembarked. Leonardo UK configurations, with mission analysis and costs. For us, the AW149 will hit the sweet spot”. Tim Robinson/RAeS Next-gen avionics The AW149 rectifies some of the Puma’s shortcomings, with a large cabin, compact footprint and While the Puma itself received a digital cockpit refresh low centre of gravity, with a wide-track undercarriage. nearly ten years ago with the Mk2, the AW149 The higher centre of gravity on the Puma led to features the newest glass cockpit and airliner-style incidents (particularly on sloping terrain) where the avionics – leveraging the latest advances in civil helicopter would roll over if pilots were not careful. aerospace and the offshore helicopter sector. This is The wide cabin features a large 11.2m3 space, not just four large 10in x 8in screens but integrated able to fit 19 passengers or 16 fully-equipped soldiers navigation systems such as area navigation (RNAV) in crashworthy seats, or four stretchers and eight and performance-based navigation precision seats in a medvac role – with the ability to carry a approaches to allow single pilot instrument flight rules payload of 3,700+kg. There is also cabin access to a (IFR) if need be (for example self-deploying overseas), 2.4m3 rear stowage bay, which can be used for extra as well as traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) cargo, equipment or even an optional fuel tank that for situational awareness. This allows seamless IFR ups the range to 500nm. Use of this rear stowage transit through civil airspace, as well as a reduced bay for extra fuel keeps the main cabin clear of fuel. pilot workload. While performance-based navigation is Says Mark Burnand, Chief Test Pilot: “The size of the common in the airline world, for many militaries this cabin and the payload capability, for a relativity small, is still ‘aspirational’, says Leonardo. Tim Robinson/RAeS

Hands-off precision approach back to Yeovil in the AW149 Common Platform Demonstrator.

SEPTEMBER 2021 31 DEFENCE Leonardo AW149

Start-up is also extremely fast and automated Optional extras via the enhanced control display unit (ECDU), with Other NMH most time (at least for this demo flight) being spent As noted previously, the CPD lacks military mission contenders on radios rather than flicking multiple switches across specific kit – and getting permission to fly a rocket- several panels. The demo flown by AEROSPACE, pod armed civilian helicopter over places such as Leonardo faces saw the AW149 conduct a precision approach and Westminster for photoshoots, could have generated competition for the recover back to Yeovil on autopilot, with the pilot reams of paperwork and delayed Leonardo getting NMH from rival Airbus Helicopters, which is flying hands off and just adjusting the speed of it in front of the right decision-makers. However proposing a military deceleration required – with the helicopter coming there is a vast array of optional equipment that could version of its H175 twin into a hover automatically. include IR suppressed exhausts, EO/IR sensor pod, that has been stripped of This type of precision approach is not limited night vision goggle (NVG) compatibility, defensive Chinese content – and to airfields or airports either but could be a landing aids system, flotation system, crew-served weapons, which could be potentially anywhere in the world, using GPS – providing safe, datalinks, encrypted communications and full ice and built at its Oxford HQ. accurate approaches in all weather, day or night snow protection. There is also provision for fast-roping Meanwhile, Lockheed and allowing the crew to focus on the mission itself. frames or a rescue winch for SAR. Martin UK is coy about offering its Black Hawk While some of the avionic functions are re-used from Leonardo has also publicly displayed a weapon but says its is ‘looking search and rescue (SAR) and the civil world, these carrier ‘wing’ which could carry heavy machine guns carefully’ at ways it could themselves have military applications – such as (HMGs), rockets or even guided missiles such as market it to the UK MoD SAR search patterns or let-down in degraded visual MBDA’s Brimstone 2 – which would give the AW149 for NMH. conditions. a fearsome punch in the assault role. A third contender may Says Burnand of the A149’s next-gen avionics be Bell’s 525 Relentless fit: “The RNP (required navigation performance) Industrial benefits super-medium twin capability to launch and recover, safely repeatedly helicopter. in marginal weather conditions workload is a Should the AW149 be selected by the UK MoD for gamechanger”. the NMH requirement, Leonardo says that it would A fully militarised AW149 would build on these establish a UK-production line for the type in Yeovil – with enhanced and additional mission systems – for with potential to meet additional export orders and a example by allowing a multi-function display (MFD) to promise to grow the UK content to 60-70% – from display the EO/IR video imagery and a threat warning the rotor blades and transmissions the company display screen. already produces in UK. Leonardo also stresses that it will not just be about sustaining existing jobs but Engine choices also creating new ones, both in Yeovil and in the wider UK supply chain. The AW149 would come with a choice of two In fact, Morrisroe notes that this would be a ‘re- engines – either the 2,500shp Safran Aneto 1k or established’ line, as the civil AW189 medium twin was the 2,000shp GE CT7-2EI. While a quick comparison produced in Yeovil for the UK’s SAR service, operated would suggest that the more powerful Safran by Bristow on behalf on the MCA and means: “We turboshaft would be the obvious choice, the GE CT7 are not starting from zero.” This previous experience has lower fuel burn and commonality with the GE on the AW189 and a hot supply chain, means that T700-GE-701D engines that power the Boeing AH- Leonardo say that, if chosen, the company could 64E, now entering service with the UK Army Air Corps. deliver a military specced but ‘off-the-shelf’ helicopter Thus, whether extra performance (for example in hot in less than 24 months. Tom Grant, AW149 UK and high conditions) or commonality and lower fuel Product Marketing Lead, says: “We are not selling a burn is prioritised will be up to the customer. Maximum developmental aircraft. Its capability will be available speed is 155kt while endurance is five hours. by the time it’s required”. Tim Robinson/RAeS

Leonardo’s state-of-the- art training academy at its Yeovil site trained 3,042 students in 2020, including aircrew and maintainers despite the global pandemic.

32 AEROSPACE Tim Robinson/RAeS

Outside the UK, there could be further potential AW101 SAR for Norway simulation engineering lab, where future rotorcraft in the form of foreign exports, although the only on the factory floor at cockpit designs can be demonstrated, evaluated by military users of the AW149, at present, are Yeovil. The helicopter engineers and pilots, and refined further. features a custom- and the Egyptian Navy. However, having ‘as used by However, despite this impressive powerhouse designed navigation and HM Forces’ tagline may well be a shot in the arm terrain database and of helicopter design, manufacture, training and to securing additional foreign sales. (It is also worth autopilot developed in- support, and the IR’s stated aim to ‘onshore’ and recalling that Leonardo, as well as Airbus, has been house by Leonardo to allow choose military equipment built in the UK wherever extremely successful in penetrating the US rotorcraft the helicopter to hover possible, it would be wise for Leonardo to not get too market with the MH-139A Grey Wolf, TH-73A and, in hands-off in mountainous complacent. A recent UK MoD decision saw MBDA’s Airbus’ case, the UH-72 Lakota). Leonardo believes terrain, as well as a system Brimstone missile sidelined in favour of the US-built that can use smartphone that there is minimum export potential of over 500 signals to home in on those joint air-to-ground missile (JAGM) – reportedly on aircraft for the AW149 – a conservative estimate. needing rescuing and even cost grounds as JAGM was already integrated with call them in-flight. the AH-64E. There is then still all to play for in this The heart of the UK rotorcraft sector small, yet vital, UK military helicopter procurement competition. Whitehall’s ‘levelling up’ and prosperity agenda which focuses on the UK’s regions, rather than than the Summary prosperous SE England, should, on paper, tilt the playing field towards the historic choice of Leonardo Whichever single type replaces the Puma and others, and Yeovil in SW – a centre of excellence for it will leverage some of the key technology advances rotorcraft that encompasses everything from avionics, in rotorcraft – particularly on the inside with next- to training, to skills and apprenticeships and MRO – gen avionics that have been developed for SAR and as well as manufacturing. offshore customers in the past decade. Its helicopter training academy, for example, NMH may also be seen as a ‘bridge’ to the features the latest in computer-based conversion to far larger, and multi-national NATO NGRC both in type training for pilots and ‘virtual’ helicopters that keeping production lines in Yeovil running but also allow maintainers to flick switches and see how in helping Leonardo to further craft and develop the systems operate – even before getting near the real kind of modular, affordable airborne platform, that, at aircraft. one end could be a simple utility flying truck, yet at the Yeovil also boasts its own avionics lab – where other, a sophisticated command and control helicopter it is able, in-house, to integrate the growing number – that Europe’s armed forces may be leaning towards. of advanced sensors, and cockpit functionality Finally, NMH will also be a crucial test of the IR’s that modern multirole helicopters demand. The ‘Prosperity Agenda’ for the UK. AW101SAR for Norway, for instance, features Leonardo’s test pilots themselves, with hours in Leonardo’s Osprey AESA radar, EO/IR sensor and previous types such as the Lynx, Wildcat and Merlin, required a custom map, and digital terrain database, as well as other helicopters like the Gazelle and Black and a tweaked autopilot to be incorporated for Hawk, are highly enthusiastic about the potential Norways unique needs. of the AW149. Says Evans: “It’s a hugely capable Another key facility at Yeovil is the company’s flight aircraft”.

47th European Rotorcraft Forum, Virtual Conference 7-8 September 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021 33 AIR TRANSPORT Airport service personnel KLM

Restart from the ground up

ANDY FLETCHER, PAUL HARRIS and DAVID MORIARTY from the RAeS Human Factors Group ask whether the traditional Is this the shape model of ground-handling operations is fit for purpose in a of things to post-Covid world. come? ince before the millennium, the public is expensive and results were ‘inconsistent’, with KLM’s robot, has come to expect the cost of flights to some still only just managing to achieve legal Spencer, be lower than nearly all other forms of trims. The drive to minimise fuel costs led to tighter completed tests transport. With margins tightening to meet requirements for efficient trim targets. This drove this expectation, the ground operation (a the industry to invest in automated load control guiding KLM Snecessary but non-revenue generating activity) has systems that have led to more consistent processes passengers at been under scrutiny. At that time, we were using than ever. Schiphol in 2016 equipment and procedures that were recognisable from the early days of air travel and were quite Tickets with perks resource-heavy. The drive towards economy forced change and innovation. However, have we reached Many carriers removed the traditional ‘all-in’ price a point where our enthusiasm to meet flyers’ of the flight ticket. An additional service charge expectations has pushed the industry a little too far? was levied on those who wanted food, priority We understand that all airlines are, first and boarding or to take extra bags. This in turn drove a foremost, businesses. Indeed, some of the changes behavioural change in passengers, with more people have had very positive results. For example, load taking only cabin baggage. This meant fewer staff control had varying success in achieving good were required to load bags or cater to the aircraft trims for flights depending on the load controller. and, consequently, the turnaround times were A well-trimmed aircraft results in a lower fuel burn shortened. The ultimate outcome was that resources and can generate significant cost savings. Training used in ground operations, particularly one of the up enough load controllers to cover all duty shifts highest costs – people – could be reduced.

34 AEROSPACE Out went the dispatcher’s role, the person who The cuts made in the hope of improving traditionally directed turnarounds with authority over efficiency have happened. Skilled but more all aspects and skills to deal with any eventualities. expensive staff are sidelined in favour of cheaper The industry empowered the passengers by but less experienced ground crew. Once employed, letting them check-in at home, thus reducing the the work is hard. As a loader, even if you are young required passenger services staff. We replaced and fit, you will be stacking hundreds of bulk bags local load control with a centralised load control (sometimes 25-30kg plus) in a hold where you using automated systems. Automatic gate readers cannot stand up. In summer, aircraft holds can be were introduced, reducing gate staff. Additional plus 50C degrees and in winter, –10C, along with operational resilience became less frequently storms and high winds. Neither the organisation nor required and so its cost was questioned and, in the aircraft operators tend to view this as particularly many cases, cut. Some ground operations providers fulfilling or valuable work. However, we must did not survive this process. appreciate the vital job these loaders do. Passenger staff are affected as well. Lone Faceless flying? agents working at the gate may need to stop passengers who do not have documents, appear When we lost check-in desks, we perhaps lost drunk or want to take their oversized bag into the more personal side of flying. More importantly, the cabin. Agents’ interventions can lead to them we lost an essential barrier in preventing people being bullied, intimidated, threatened or physically boarding who were not fit to fly, for example, due assaulted. to intoxication. The check-in desk staff checked passports and visas and could help allocate seating Flight path – career path

Delta For many ground staff, remuneration is less than they would get stacking shelves at the local supermarket. Career progression is also more difficult, making this side of the industry less attractive. Thirty years ago one could start building experience as a loader or passenger agent. This career could then progress to supervisory, dispatch, load control and then into the airports and airline operations, cabin crew and flight crews. Now that this traditional career path is a thing of the past, many are avoiding ground operations as an entry into aviation. Colleagues have observed fewer and fewer young people are seeking employment in ground operations which leaves an increasingly ageing workforce. This feeling of fewer people joining is not speculative either. For two years or more before the current pandemic hit, senior ground operations managers were already raising concerns that recruitment was becoming more and more difficult. appropriate to passengers’ mobility, the aircraft With more positions advertised than available layout or the needs of the aircraft’s trim. There also applicants, they no longer had the opportunity to appears to be less tolerance and more frustration employ the ‘best’ recruits for our safety-critical from passengers when they see no one on hand roles. If they showed up, they got a job. Whereas to help or when they encounter long queues. All previously the peak season would start with a full this has put the onus increasingly on the flight complement of staff, more recently it usually started crew to deal with. The crew increasingly handled down on numbers. Subsequent high turnover rates the fuelling, loadsheet and passenger issues while meant recruitment had to continue throughout the also under the same pressure to achieve their tasks season. Ground operations manuals were required during the turnaround. Without the resources that to move away from text-based information to a more contributed to operational resilience, the ability to graphical format. The industry had to simplify the deal with off schedule (early or late) aircraft often procedures to allow for lower educational levels leads to waiting for equipment and staff to arrive. and diverse language skills. Providing practical Any out of sequence aircraft plays havoc with the on-the-job training required increased dependency programme and can have knock-on effects for the on experienced ground crew to impart the need-to- rest of the day, causing stress to flight and ground know information that kept the operation running crews. safely.

SEPTEMBER 2021 35 AIR TRANSPORT Airport service personnel

Air France before Covid-19 struck. The global lockdown, the subsequent shutdown of the industry and associated staff layoffs have caused many to consider whether they want to stay in aviation. Many decided it was the catalyst needed to retire a little earlier than COLLEAGUES expected or retrain and move elsewhere. Some have HAVE since spoken about the relief of being out of ground operations. The pandemic gave them the push they OBSERVED needed to leave an industry which they no longer FEWER AND enjoyed or in which they no longer felt valued. FEWER YOUNG Everyone is now waiting for the big switch-on when airlines reintroduce their flight programmes PEOPLE ARE and people’s pent-up desire to travel leads to the SEEKING inevitable surge in air travel. We have to question EMPLOYMENT whether the increasingly dire situation in ground IN GROUND operations will impact negatively on this. There are calls for risk assessments from OPERATIONS regulatory and trade bodies but the industry safety WHICH representatives are among those most likely to LEAVES AN have left the industry. When operators and their INCREASINGLY contractors’ management re-evaluate their old risk assessments, they must consider a presently AGEING unknown factor: the (probable) loss of the ‘old hands’, WORKFORCE the people who we had relied upon to deliver all the on-the-job training. These were the respected staff with years of experience who could identify and resolve evolving problems early on and look after the new recruits. We have no idea yet if they will come back. Waiting to see or hoping that they reapply is not enough. Operators need to start making efforts to definitively evaluate how many might be returning. If the numbers are not sufficient, it may be time to reconsider the terms and conditions that these experienced operators can expect to receive. Crucially, airlines need to consider the state of ground operations in their restart plans. They also The baggage of baggage staff need to factor in that their third-party providers may have five, six or more other airlines who all need While more advanced ground operations automation to restart their own operations. Many airlines and is on the horizon, no one has yet designed a bag ground organisations are teetering on the brink stacker that will fit into the myriad of aircraft types being operated. Small operations will certainly rely on humans for many years. However, driverless pushback tugs, steps, baggage tugs, airbridges and belt loaders are already being evaluated. Powered wheel hubs could allow the aircraft to self-manoeuvre on the ground without running engines or using a tractor unit. Load control systems become better and are learning route profiles to anticipate problems. However, we need to remember the lessons learnt during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s when it came to flight deck automation; the notion that ‘automation will get us out of trouble’ must be carefully challenged at every turn in the design and training phase as it rarely works out that way.

The future of ground operations

As we have laid out, it was clear that the ground

operations sector was facing many challenges even British Airways

36 AEROSPACE British Airways

of survival. It would be all too easy for commercial world too. Managers and trainers should determine teams to demand (or promise) a programme that the what training is provided for staff to defuse or de- operational ground teams are unable to deliver safely. escalate effectively, especially where supervisory Everyone needs to be realistic with their initial and or other support may be unavailable in a timely increasing demands on their contractors. Providers fashion. This is now an integral part of cabin must offer what is safely deliverable and commercial crew training material. Operators should look at pressure to become operationally over-committed, the benefits of sharing such material with their with the subsequent consequences for safety, must contracted handling agents to provide a good be resisted. service for their passengers and help with onboard safety. Training and recruiting in a post- More than ever, all parties contributing to Covid age the aviation environment need to work together to understand the extraordinary nature of this A realistic minimum recruitment, training, and lead-in industry restart. Flight crews and managers need period to get someone who can effectively work to understand and be advised about the difficulties alone is four months. Security clearances can slow and pressures facing front-line staff discussed here. the process further. As the industry restarts, it may There will likely be some anger and frustration from be that trainers and line expertise does not return. In all sides over the next few years. that scenario, assessing how formal and on-the-job The combination of pre-pandemic industry training can be completed needs to be considered problems and the pressures that we can expect in carefully. In order to sufficiently shorten the lead-in the post-pandemic start-up may be a perfect storm. time to satisfy the demand for new staff, training may At the very least, it should lead us to ask whether need to begin even without a guarantee of granting this ‘lowest possible cost’ business model for a security pass. Those fortunate to have stayed ground operations is fit for purpose? In aviation, we employed and those experienced and returning to the pride ourselves on being an industry with an open industry are likely to be busy. They will be relied upon questioning culture, one that welcomes evidence to train, educate, and protect those new recruits less prompting us to review what we do and seeing if it aware of ground operations hazards. Organisations could be better or safer. Paying the lowest possible should ensure they monitor and address any real (or price for a service always has consequences. With perceived) pressure these staff may feel they are the historic under investment in ground operations, under. The welfare of these crucial members must we should ask whether we are reaching a point be regularly reviewed to avoid overloading or other where safety, passenger experience and the sector’s detrimental impact to the operations. resilience have been critically degraded. It is our hope that assessment of the emergent risks and Assessing expectations sensible investment and management in ground operations will help get us through this critical The industry should assess what passenger restart period with minimal disruption so that the expectations will be like in the post-Covid-19 industry can emerge better, stronger and safer.

SEPTEMBER 2021 37 AEROSPACE MAKS show report MAKS factored EUGENE GERDEN reports from the Moscow MAKS air show in July – a showcase for Russian aviation and aerospace. he 25th anniversary MAKS air show Yak-40LL flying lab on display took place in Russia in the airfield of the Gromov Flight Research Institute of the The unique Yak-40LL flying laboratory made its city of Zhukovsk (Moscow regions) from first flight as part of flight tests at MAKS-2021. It is 20 to 25 July. This year the number of equipped with a hybrid power plant based on a gas Tvisitors exceeded 138,000, which is a new record turbine engine and a superconducting electric motor. for the show. The first tests of the hybrid unit began in February With the show focusing particularly on Russian in Novosibirsk. In flight tests one of the Yak-40 aviation, this year, claim the organisers, saw 538 engines was replaced with a turboshaft gas turbine Russian and 91 foreign companies participate in engine with an electric generator. The electric motor the show. According to official information, the is installed in the forebody of the aircraft and uses overall value of contracts, signed during the show the effect of high temperature superconductivity and exceeded RUB 265bn ($3.58bn). These figures a cryogenic system. exceeded results for 2019, both in terms of the number of agreements signed and the scale of LMS-901 ‘Baikal’ business programmes. This year saw a number of new announcements A prototype of the LMS-901 ‘Baikal’ utility aircraft and new projects revealed. was officially presented in Zhukovsky. This aircraft is expected to be the successor to the legendary An-2 Checkmate unveiled on regional airlines. The important elements of the project were the use of domestic components and The biggest news of MAKS 2021 became the assemblies, high maintainability in local conditions reveal of a fundamentally new Russian fighter, as well as efficiency. with the official presentation taking place on the opening day of the event on 20 July. The MS-21-310 fifth-generation Su-74 ‘Checkmate’ light tactical aircraft, which is capable of carrying up to five The medium-haul MS-21-310 Russian commercial air-to-air missiles, is intended primarily for export passenger aircraft was officially presented sales. It is intended primarily to compete with The Su-74 ‘Checkmate’ during the Show this year. It is characterised by the F-35 fighter and export sales are particularly fighter is a single-engine advanced aerodynamics, engines and systems. targeted at Middle East countries. (See Blueprint in design optimised for the Such characteristics of the aircraft are enabled August 2021 AEROSPACE.) export market. by its extended wing made of polymer composite UAC/YouTube

38 AEROSPACE MAKS MAKS Rostec Eugene Gerden

materials. The aircraft has the widest fuselage in its Some of the aircraft (TsAGI). It features a low sonic boom design while class (4.06m), while its capacity can be configured on display at MAKS ensuring high aerodynamic characteristics, stability from 163 to 211 passengers. The flight range is up – clockwise from top and controllability over the entire range of flight left: LMS-901 Baikal, to 6,000km. The new Russian aircraft is intended to Mi-28 attack helicopter, modes. The innovative metal-composite structure of compete with similar size aircraft from Airbus and Aviadvigatel PD-14 the aircraft is created using biomicry principles. The Boeing. domestically developed use of alternative materials in the construction of turbofan now undergoing the aircraft ensures some significant advantages in flight tests on the MS-21 terms of its weight and fuel economy. IL-114 airliner, model of S-70 Okhotnik-B UCAV. Also on show at MAKS was the Il-114, a short-haul Mi-8AMTSh-VN helicopter turboprop aircraft designed to replace the An-24 and Tu-134. One of its advantages is the ability The newest transport and combat helicopter, Mi- to operate from short runways, including Arctic 8AMTSh-VN, was shown for the first time. This is latitudes. The aircraft is also adapted to poorly the most modern version of the well-known Russian equipped airfields: it has a built-in gangway and multipurpose helicopter, which was developed on is capable of starting engines without assistance. the basis of experience from recent Russian military According to its developers, the aircraft aims to experiences, including . The helicopter is compete in both civil and military markets. equipped with VK-2005-03 engines, which operate well in hot climates, while its cockpit is protected IL-112V* with titanium plates. The protection of the transport compartment is ensured with light aramid armour. This is the first military transport aircraft that was The helicopter’s armament consists of external guns, designed from the scratch in Russia after the machine guns, guided and unguided missiles. With collapse of the USSR. The Il-112V will be used to its impressive firepower, the updated Mi-8 is called a transport paratroopers and military equipment. Its ‘flying airborne combat vehicle.’ maximum load lifting capacity is 5t. The cruising speed of the aircraft is 470km/h, while the flight Angara-A5V launch vehicle range is 1,200km. After the first flight, which took place in 2019, the MoD made a number No MAKS show would be complete without a space of comments – with the main complaint being element and this year was no differrent. Among excessive weight. Since then, the designers have this year’s interesting exhibits was a prototype of carried out a number of measures to reduce the the new Sokol-M rescue spacesuit for cosmonauts weight, including changing the design of the cargo who will fly to the Moon on the crewed spacecraft door, replacing some metal parts with composite Orel, as well as a model of the Angara-A5V launch ones and modifying the fuselage. vehicle with a hydrogen-fueled third stage. Using * Sadly, as AEROSPACE hydrogen fuel, the Angara is supposed to lift 37t of Strizh supersonic civil aircraft went to press in mid- payload into low-Earth orbit, which is significantly August, the Il-112V more than the carrying capacity of the usual heavy One of the most interesting announcements at prototype crashed on 17 Angara-A5. the show was the Strizh supersonic civil aircraft August, west of Moscow, The biennial MAKS air show will next take place killing all three flight test from the Zhukovsky Central Aerodynamic Institute crew onboard. in 2023 at Zhukovsky.

SEPTEMBER 2021 39 GENERAL AVIATION Uncrewed aerial systems and regulation Drone Research

Implementing UAS – the regulator’s viewpoint

DEWAR DONNITHORNE-TAIT FRAeS, from the RAeS UAS Group, reports on ICAO’s fourth uncrewed aircraft systems industry symposium.

ver five days in April (13-15 and ● UTM integration into aerodrome environments/ 20-21 April) the International Civil activities Aviation Organization (ICAO) held ● Cyber resilience its DRONE ENABLE (DE4) virtual ● Advanced air mobility (AAM) and urban air mobility symposium which brought together (UAM) Ostakeholders from industry, academia, government and international organisations in the uncrewed ● Flight rules in an evolving environment aviation sector come together to exchange best Policy catch-up with innovation practices, lessons learned, research material and challenges related to the introduction of uncrewed Dr Young Tae Kim, Secretary General, International aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS traffic management Transport Forum, Organisation for Economic (UTM). In addition to updates on ICAO’s progress Co-operation and Development (OECD), noted with UAS and a focus on current UAS activities in that the private sector is innovating ever faster. Brazil, the main topics were: Such acceleration requires policy changes to deal with innovation in order to address tomorrow’s ● Interaction with key aviation and non-aviation challenges today. Drones should be seen as part stakeholders of the overall transport system and there was a ● Uncrewed aircraft (UA) performance requirements need for policy assessment in the following areas: in an uncrewed traffic management (UTM) economics, public acceptance, environmental impact environment and infrastructure requirements. Drones may be used to fill gaps in existing systems and should not ● UTM system certification requirements be viewed in isolation but play a complementary ● UTM development and deployment lessons role. The aim was to assist access for all and provide learned new transport opportunities. It was important not to

40 AEROSPACE 41 Port of Antwerp SEPTEMBER 2021 Modes of operation were several implementation models for There serviceUTM, ranging from a monolithic, centralised delivered by an authority to a fully federated of which with many service providers, each approach were ‘qualified’ or ‘certified’ to levels appropriate to notedthe nature of the services provided. It was tothat there was a need, in certain critical areas, forhave a ‘single version of the truth’ as a basis to approaches were different There navigation. safe ‘regulator- including ‘self-declaration’, ‘certification’, A new approach delegated’ and ‘regulator-approved’. could involve a ‘designated industry body’ (DIB) and some precedents existed. Safety assurance Because UTM is likely to be highly automated and and critical service to bothwill provide safety UAS assurance measures other airspace users, safety have not been implemented are needed which represents a significant This ATM. with existing current developments towards UTM While change. there ATM, are somewhat in isolation of existing is a recognition that there has to be an initial high degree of information sharing and co-operation followed, in the longer term, by substantial move towards more ‘data-driven’ integration. The is likely to improve the convergence of the ATM two. Several speakers described work on the use verification, of cloud computing, architectures, components: communications, navigation andcomponents: communications, navigation surveillance (CNS) and that the standards should independent. Shared situational be technology a local,awareness was a central requirement and to allrelevant operational picture should be available margins with safety airspace users, UTM and ATM, Progress as system latency. to mitigate issues such had been made with methodologies to identify navigation performance UTM airspace classes, UA classes and error budgets.

Signature Flight Support THE TIME TAKEN THE TIME TAKEN OBTAIN TO A NOTICE AIRMEN TO (NOTAM) PERMIT TO EMERGENCY UAS OPERATIONS WIDELY VARIED BETWEEN STATES Still from a YouTube video Still from a YouTube showing drone surveillance of operations in the Port Antwerp. City rooftop skyport concept. There appeared to be many visions of what appeared There Drones should integrate with other airspace Drones should integrate with other airspace UTM might be and how it might be approached. UTM might be and how it might be approached. general agreement that standards and was There interoperability were required for three key systems Performance requirements Performance It was agreed that the use of performance agnostic, were technology requirements, which was the best way forward but it was challenging. As things develop, ‘the best might be the enemy stifle of the good’ and premature standards might of the initial to overcome some innovation. Equally, of performance requirement approaches, challenges the use of prescriptive standards might be better for short term situations. users safely and equitably, through outreach through outreach and equitably, users safely and and consultation. Both pre-flight planning fully operational situational awareness has to be and other airspace users and shared between UAS and UTM between air traffic management (ATM) being generally favoured. with a step-wise approach a Notice It was noted that the time taken to obtain to permit emergency UAS to Airmen (NOTAM) within operations varied widely between states – while, Europe, in one state it could take 30 minutes two days. in another, Drones in action Hamburg and the Antwerp Both the City/State of the special characteristics Authority described Port use over their drone extensive and requirements for to legal frameworks, it local jurisdictions. In addition local authority to collaboratewas appropriate for the aviation authority in authorising with the national civil drone were many potential air operations. There was finite and limited applications but capacity and operational technical by evolving regulatory, of the SAFIR of Antwerp, as part Port factors. The had established two drone trial zones, one Project, for ‘fully autonomous drones’. widen differences between rich and poor, as drones poor, and rich between widen differences all of civilisation. need to benefit GENERAL AVIATION Uncrewed aerial systems and regulation Embraer

A comprehensive air traffic management system will be essential for the safe operation of UTM in cities.

authorisation, design assurance levels and the aviation trust framework (IATF) was described. The use of simulation. One aim was to deliver a fully IATF prototype implementation demonstration used integrated air traffic control officer (ATCO) interface, a secure public key infrastructure (PKI) with the which could be tailored for each operational use of tokens, certificates and secure exchanges. segment and avoided ‘over-informing’ an ATCO. JARUS (Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on THE ENTIRE The challenges of integrating UAS and UTM into Unmanned Systems) was working on the concept of UTM complex aerodrome environments were discussed. a cyber SORA (specific operations risk assessment), ECOSYSTEM The eventual integration of UTM and ATM was in which differing levels of cyber security mitigations a key consideration as was the deployment of are linked to risk/threat and degree of vulnerability. ARCHITECTURE trusted systems to deliver better safety, security and Cyber security requirements must be sensibly HAS TO BE integrity. In the short term, interfaces between ATM tailored to increase as risk does. However, security DESIGNED AT and the emerging UTM had to be established so is never perfect and one has to plan for failure THE OUTSET that effective information sharing could be enabled. conditions, such as back-up and recovery. This The AURA Project (SESAR JU) was described, with needs to be planned from the outset, not later. WITH END- 20 partners and use cases to define requirements TO-END and to validate information exchange between ATM Full ecosystem RESILIENCY IN and UTM. One approach included the concept of MIND airport collaborative decision making. Many different approaches to the carriage of small numbers of passengers by innovative aircraft, Cyber resilience which were human-piloted, remotely-piloted and fully-automatically-piloted, were described. Many New capabilities, such as UTM, have brought speakers stated that the safety of such operations new threats and risks. The entire UTM ecosystem would meet or exceed the levels of safety achieved architecture has to be designed at the outset with by commercial aviation. A full ecosystem had to be end-to-end resiliency in mind. There are many developed, including UTM, ‘verti-ports’ and transport threats and potential attacks which are hard to inter-modality. Technologies were driving down anticipate. Work is required to ensure that UAS the costs to ensure more equitable access, and does not become the weakest link in the overall harmonisation was required at all levels, local to ecosystem and progress towards an international global.

Flight Testing eVTOL Aircraft lecture: 18 November 2021, Online Integrated Integrated Air Traffic Management – towards a fully digitised airspace management system: 23-24 November 2021, Online & RAeS HQ London

42 AEROSPACE Afterburner www.aerosociety.com

Diary 17 September 2021 Next Generation Opportunities in Space Young Persons’ online Conference

On 16 August 2021, Vega lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on flight VV19 to deliver into two separate -synchronous orbits the Earth observation satellite Pléiades Neo-4 and four auxiliary payloads: SunStorm, RadCube and LEDSAT developed through ESA and BRO-4. ESA/CNES/Arianespace-JM Guillon.

44 Message from RAeS 46 Book Reviews 53 New RAeS CEO – President Sketches of Fiji, In His Own Words and Hawker’s David Edwards has been appointed as the Chief Secret Cold War Airfield. Executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society in place “I also wish to sincerely thank Sir Brian for all has of Sir Brian Burridge who is stepping down. done for the Society, both in the past and most 49 e-Library Additions recently as Chief Executive. Thanks to his particular 54 New Member Spotlight dynamic, open and appropriate response to the Books recently added to the National Aerospace challenges facing the Society during the pandemic, Library’s e-Library. Sir Brian has carefully reconfigured and realigned 55 RAeS Diary the operation of the Society in a way that will provide us with a very strong base for the future 50 NAL’s lockdown lectures Find out what Society events are happening. going forward.” Tony Pilmer, RAeS Librarian & Archivist and Mike Stanberry, NAL volunteer, select their favorite NAL 56 Elections and 95th anniversary of the – Chief Executive lectures placed online during the lockdown. Coventry Branch “This is my final Chief Executive’s Message before I hand over to David Edwards of which more on p 53. While my three-year stint has flown by, it did not quite go to plan!”

SEPTEMBER 2021 43 Message from RAeS OUR PRESIDENT

Howard Nye We all recall that in response to Covid-19, the is indeed a substantial achievement giving the UK Society was obliged to move to on-line provision the most modern piece of spaceflight legislation in of its conferences and events. The first-ever online the world and, unlike NASA or French legislation, conference was held on the 9-10 of September designed with the commercial market in mind from 2020 and was entitled ‘Safeguarding Earth’s Space the outset. In addition, the CAA, nominated as the Environment’. It addressed the global challenges regulator for UK spaceflight is ready and waiting to related to space debris, a subject becoming process licence applications for satellite launch with increasingly important, particularly in view of the immediate effect. new constellations made up of thousands of Linked to this new legislation, on 9 September satellites being prepared by several companies I will be hosting a Highland Branch event at which including SpaceX, Blue Origin and OneWeb. In David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects at addition, as reported in this article last month, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), a Scottish MP Chris Skidmore gave an excellent briefing to government body, will be speaking about the Westminster in July on the same subject, indicating progress of the three planned vertical launch sites in the attention now being paid around the world. the region and the positive impact on the local and As the Society exists ‘to further the advancement national economy. of aeronautical art, science and engineering around I will also be participating in the 2021 Royal the world’ (www.aerosociety.com/about-us), Aeronautical Society’s Young Persons Conference we have agreed to assist the photographer Max ‘Next Generation Opportunities in Space’ to be held Alexander (www.maxalexander.com) in preparation virtually on Friday 17 September and sponsored by of an exhibition entitled ‘Waste in Space’, supported Telespazio UK. by international experts and funding from several Last but by no means least, I wish to sincerely interested parties, including ESA and the UK Space welcome David Edwards FRAeS as the new Chief Agency. The exhibition is aimed at bringing awareness Executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society, taking of the challenges both to the authorities and the up the post on 20 September in place of Sir Brian general public and will open in the UK mid-2022 and Burridge who is stepping down. David clearly brings then to move on to other nations. a lot of valuable and relevant experience not only Despite the fact that the long-awaited UK as the former Chief Executive of the Air Charter Space Strategy, originally planned for publication in Association but also as former Executive Vice Q4 2020, then in Q2 2021, will, according to BEIS President of Qatar Airways among other roles and July’s announcement ‘be published in due course’, has expressed his strong advocacy for both diversity, significant progress been made on other fronts. inclusion and the encouragement of our future On 29 July a joint announcement1 was made by generations to join the aerospace, aviation and AND LAST BUT the DfT, the CAA, the UK Space Agency, Science space domain. I look forward to working with him BY NO MEANS Minister Amanda Solloway MP, and UK Transport and wish him fulfilment in his new role and success LEAST, I WISH Secretary Grant Shapps that: “Another step towards in delivery of the Society mission. TO SINCERELY space exploration from UK soil has been unlocked, I also wish to sincerely thank Sir Brian for all with the passing of the spaceflight regulations.” I he has done for the Society, both in the past and WELCOME was honoured to have been quoted in the same most recently as Chief Executive. Thanks to his DAVID announcement and to have participated in a short particular dynamic, open and appropriate response EDWARDS live interview on Times Radio on 30 July. to the challenges facing the Society during the Under the principal leadership of Paul Cremin, pandemic, Sir Brian has carefully reconfigured and FRAeS AS THE recently nominated as a co-opted member of the realigned the operation of the Society in a way that NEW CHIEF RAeS Council, the Department for Transport has, in will provide us with a very strong base for the future EXECUTIVE partnership with the UK Space Agency, Government going forward. OF THE ROYAL Legal Department, Civil Aviation Authority and Health and Safety Executive, put in place the AERONAUTICAL legal and regulatory framework that will facilitate 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lift-off-for- SOCIETY commercial spaceflight launches from the UK. This uk-spaceflight-as-regulations-passed

44 AEROSPACE OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Sir Brian Burridge ● As summer airline travel reaches its peak, changes provide details of other sponsorship opportunities to Covid-19 restrictions have had a positive by which to raise your company’s profile in this effect. Eurocontrol’s early August figures point to important and topical area. For Corporate Partners, a plateau in customer numbers at 70% of 2019 we have a briefing on 20 September by the levels. Predictably, the low-cost carriers have made CEO of NATS, Martin Rolfe, on how they worked most progress with mostly double-digit growth through the complexity of Covid and the role of air over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, in the US, the navigation service providers in addressing climate predicted growth has stalled as the Covid Delta change. variant takes increasing hold. On a brighter note, ● W ork on updating the Society’s documentation US airline JetBlue launched its London–New York to align with the revised Engineering Council service in mid-August using a long-range Airbus Standards has progressed throughout 2021 A321 amid much acclaim from the media: the and the UK SPEC 4th edition registration shape of things to come perhaps, particularly once documentation and guidance is now live on the A321XLR enters service. both the Society’s website and within the online ● T here was welcome news in the defence application. In addition, we are training more than aerospace sector with Italy’s announcement 20 new volunteer Professional Review Assessors. of a €3bn investment in Tempest and the Meanwhile, the Membership Committee and staff Eurofighter nations confirming a €300m capability have begun work to implement the Competency enhancement package for Typhoon. This will Handbook and new Membership Grade criteria include improved Meteor functionality, Brimstone ready for 2022. integration, a harmonised approach to E-Scan radar ● W e are also pleased to see so many Corporate and other integration enhancements. In announcing Partner bookings coming through for this year’s the Tempest deal, the Italian government was quick Careers in Aerospace & Aviation LIVE, our flagship to point out the importance of their participation careers event on 3 November. Over 500 individual in a sixth-generation fighter programme. As the attendees have already signed-up, indicating that then Prime Minister Romano Prodi pointed-out at there is a recognition that careers in our sectors Farnborough in 2006: “Design and engineering is represent an exciting future. We are grateful to the life-blood of the Italian economy.” Boeing UK for its continued support for the event ● Meanwhile, the UK’s new space regulations as part of their Project Altitude funding. This came into force at the end of July making the programme will also see the launch later in the Civil Aviation Authority the UK’s spaceflight Autumn of our new Falcon2 STEM challenge for regulator and providing, for the first time, the schools. Here, we aim to provide hands-on STEM legal underpinning for space launches from UK inspiration and learning to teachers and young soil. The President’s supportive comment was people while also challenging perceptions around included in the government’s official press release. disability. The requirement will be to use inclusive This legislation will see an expansion in career engineering solutions to develop a fully accessible opportunities in space which will be highlighted in flight simulator designed by young people, for the Society’s 2021 Young Persons Conference, young people. ‘Next Generation Opportunities in Space’. Topics ● T his is my final Chief Executive’s Message before I from speakers within the first 10-15 years of hand over to David Edwards of which more on WE ARE ALSO their careers will include space debris, space p 53. While my three-year stint has flown by, it did law, aeromedicine and Earth observation. We are PLEASED TO not quite go to plan! Nevertheless, the Society has grateful to sponsors Telespazio: more details are at made some notable advances in exercising its SEE SO MANY www.aerosociety.com/ypcconference. influence as a learned society and in enhancing CORPORATE ● Other conferences are the 2021 European its reputation as a professional engineering PARTNER Rotorcraft Forum which will be held virtually from institution, notably through achieving OFQUAL BOOKINGS 7-9 September and which is a long-standing, key recognition. These and other achievements – not event for the rotorcraft community. With COP26 least in weathering the pandemic – owe much COMING looming, we will host our annual climate change to the dedication of the staff, the sage advice THROUGH FOR conference on 19-20 October. Entitled ‘Cutting from the Trustees and Council, and the unstinting THIS YEAR’S Aviation’s Climate Change Impact’, we have a efforts of our Boards, Committees, Divisions and CAREERS IN high calibre set of international speakers who will Branches. Underpinning all of this is the vast cohort provide expert insights and constructive challenge of volunteers who give freely of their time, wisdom AEROSPACE & on aviation’s route to net zero. Our thanks go to and enthusiasm in support of the Society and our AVIATION LIVE Airbus as lead sponsor and our events team can sectors. For all of that, I am personally very grateful.

SEPTEMBER 2021 45 Book Reviews SKETCHES OF FIJI

By Andrew Drysdale Airbus A350-941, DQ-FAI, of as “unique and plays a large part in defining our Fiji Airways at Sydney Airport. people.” Equally his descriptions of the idyllic On 2 May 2019 Fiji Airways Mentor Aviation Services, 2019, 377pp, £19.80. announced its intention to lifestyle as he grew up in Fiji paint a picture of a lease two Airbus A350- time and lifestyle which is much harder to find in This book offers a perspective memoir on Fiji from 900s from Dubai Aerospace today’s world. Enterprise as a part of its fleet several angles. Of interest to RAeS members will, Those of you who remember the renowned expansion. Bidgee. of course, be stories of Fiji Airways and Air Pacific, movie Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields will be featuring aircraft such as the HS748, Trislander, interested to hear it was filmed in the Fijian Yasawa Heron, DC-3 and BAC 111 at Fiji Airways, and Islands, as was the earlier version of the film. The the ATR42, B737, B767 and B747 at Air Pacific. author of this book was CEO of Blue Lagoon Operating small fleets in distant lands is fraught Cruises between his stints at Fiji Airways and Air with difficulties and there are not too many places Pacific, and shares some marvellous anecdotes more remote and isolated than Fiji. There are many of his experience in learning the ropes of tourism, anecdotes from both operations which will tickle the sales and marketing after having started out as a memories of those who have seen similar remote licensed engineer. Blue Lagoon Cruises even built airline operations. Also of interest on the airline side some of its fleet in Fiji. is the technical and management support provided This memoir provides some fascinating insights to Air Pacific by then part-owner Qantas Airways. into the fledgling aviation and tourism industry in Fiji. There are some candid assessments from this There is something here for everyone, whether you former CEO of both airlines of relations between This memoir are a pilot, engineer or other professional aviation the Fijian airlines and Qantas, other Pacific Island person, or from the boat cruise industry, government national carriers and, of course, the political situation provides some or colonial administration. However, it is much during and after the military coups in Fiji. fascinating more than just these anecdotal tales. It contains an However, there is a lot more to this memoir than insights into intimate and personal story of life in an idyllic Pacific just the aviation side. The author spent most of his the fledgling Island nation, during a time when it is transforming childhood in Fiji, at a time when Fiji was moving from from a British colony to a proud and independent a colonial outpost of the British Empire to self rule aviation nation. It has an underlying social commentary and independence. His insights into the tensions and tourism on a gentle and peaceful people with a friendly which surrounded these important changes ring industry in personality, impish humour and a nostalgia for a true for many people in similar circumstances in Fiji. There is simpler world that is no longer. former colonies. The author’s obvious admiration and appreciation of the native Fijians shines right something here David Forsyth through this book. He describes the Fijian humour for everyone FRAeS

46 AEROSPACE IN HIS OWN WORDS By Sir

The Hobnob Press, Gloucester, 2020, £9.95.

Books about the UK aerospace equipment industries are relatively sparse in number; an autobiography by one of its most illustrious names is therefore quite a treat. The Dowty name, now buried in a French-owned aerospace multinational, is unquestionably one full of historical resonance. This is not a polished, illustrated volume but his son’s record based on a typed manuscript from 1975, written just before Sir George’s death in 1975. It is a fascinating read nonetheless and adds personal reminisces to Rolt’s two-book Dowty story. Sir George’s career as an engineer and industrialist spans over half a century of tumultuous aeronautical history. Worcestershire born, draftsman Sir George launched his business in 1930 with £50 to his name. He had started his aero connection as an undercarriage designer for A V Roe and then the Gloster Company. While at Gloster, he was already innovating with patents to his name. This provided the intellectual foundations for a specialist firm focusing on . The early 1930s were not an easy time for a start-up company but Dowty’s venture was one of several aircraft equipment companies that began to appear, as aircraft design and construction became more complicated, requiring specialists from outside the ‘prime’ company. Hard going initially but, by the mid-1930s, Dowty undercarriages had a European reputation. Buoyed by British rearmament programmes and, despite some difficult financial issues, by 1939 Sir George’s company was a key Air Ministry contractor. Lancasters, Typhoons and Halifaxes were just three of the aircraft depending on Dowty ‘legs and wheels’. During the war, he was a frequent visitor to the US, sometimes accompanying Sir Roy Top: The third production I, K6131. The Fedden on his investigatory missions, on occasion Gladiator used a cantilever landing gear strut to take advantage at variance with Fedden’s advocacy of ‘all things of the Dowty internally sprung wheel. American’. He was right about the superiority of Above: 102, F-WTSA, displays its Messier-Dowty main undercarriage. hydraulics over electrics for undercarriage operation. Left: Sir George Herbert Dowty, FAIAA, FRAeS, 1901-1975, The post war years brought diversification into Royal Aeronautical Society President 1952-1953. other areas, such as mining equipment, as well as All RAeS (NAL). other aircraft equipment interests, including Rotol and British Messier, which consolidated much of the UK undercarriage industry. Like many of his counterparts, Sir George was not a fan of Duncan Sandys and his 1957 axe but, unlike many of the ‘hero-owners’ of the leading aircraft companies, he The aviation historian has to dig a bit to extract had fewer direct dealings with politicians. Indeed, the aerospace nuggets but, as an insider’s view of a the Dowty Group needed no urging to acquire and successful British manufacturing enterprise, a fine rationalise other equipment companies. Nor was his way to have spent a lockdown afternoon. company much affected by the trials and tribulations of European collaboration. The transfer of Dowty Professor Keith Hayward into French hands was long after his death. FRAeS

SEPTEMBER 2021 47 Book Reviews HAWKER’S SECRET COLD WAR AIRFIELD

Dunsfold, home of the Hunter Dunsfold will always be known as the home of The first Hawker P1127, the Harrier and many of the milestones achieved XP831, during tethered & Harrier hovering tests at Dunsfold. in the development of that revolutionary aircraft RAeS (NAL). By Christopher Budgen occurred at Dunsfold. These included the early work on the P1127 and the Kestrel which led to Air World, 2020, 303pp, £25. several successful versions including the GR5, Sea Harrier and the AV-8A/B produced in quantity for Dunsfold undoubtedly occupies a very important the US Marine Corps. Development flying of the place in the development of military aviation in the Hawk also took place at Dunsfold. Exports of the UK. This book surveys the development of Dunsfold Hawk, including contracts for the licence build of the US Navy version kept Dunsfold busy almost to as ’s main test and development the end. Christopher Budgen worked at Dunsfold site from the early 1950s until its closure in 2000. and he came into contact, and knew as friends, the The early use of the airfield, firstly by the units test pilots who flew the prototype and development of the Royal Canadian Air Force and then the RAF, aircraft. These included such famous names as are not dealt with in any detail. The story begins Neville Duke (who secured the absolute world air with Hawker’s need to move from its unsuitable speed record in a Hunter in 1953), Bill Bedford, site at Langley, near Slough, to a rural location Duncan Simpson and John Farley. preferably within easy travelling distance from the Although the book is almost entirely confined to main factory and design office at Kingston. The the Hawker era, Chapter 6 suddenly, and somewhat somewhat difficult relationship with the Air Ministry illogically, dives back into history and describes the is described in some detail but eventually a lease use of the airfield by Skyways for its air charter was secured which enabled Hawker to construct business. The association with , assembly buildings and flight sheds. then a member of the Hawker Siddeley Group, is The book is as much a history of Hawker also covered; some of the Gnat production was Siddeley’s long and successful military development transferred from Hamble to Dunsfold and included programmes, which led to the Hunter, Hawk and the aircraft supplied to the Red Arrows team. The Harrier, as it is of the airfield itself. The foundation quality of some of the photographs is poor and The book is as of that success, in the post war era, was the the diagrams are hardly legible. I would have also much a history development of a number of early jet fighters which appreciated a map of the airfield in its final form. I of Hawker eventually led to the hugely important Hunter. found some of the expressions used in the book The evolution of the Hunter is described in some were not appropriate to a serious historical account Siddeley’s long detail and it is interesting to note that Hawker’s – for example ‘The Yanks are Coming’ is the title of and successful business plan included not only the production of the chapter about the initial involvement of the US military nearly 2,000 Hunters but also the refurbishment of Government with the Harrier. development large numbers of aircraft which re-purchased from Christopher Budgen provides us with an their original operators and recycled for sale to a interesting and readable account of what happened programmes, number of overseas air forces. This work enabled ‘behind the wire’ at Dunsfold. As such, it provides us which led to the Dunsfold to survive during some difficult times with a considerable insight into a world that few of Hunter, Hawk when shockwaves caused by the cancellation of the us were ever privileged to witness. and Harrier, P1154 (the supersonic Harrier) and the AW681 led to a significant contraction in the size of the aircraft Philip Riley as it is of the industry. FRAeS airfield itself

48 AEROSPACE e-Library Additions BOOKS

AIRCRAFT The Type 698 Vulcan: Spitfire’s Forgotten Spacecraft Modeling, The Secrets behind its Designer: The Career of Attitude Determination Design and Development ’s Joe Smith and Control: Quaternion- by D W Fildes, 2012. by Mike Roussel, 2013. Based Approach by Yaguang Miles M.52: Gateway to From Bouncing Bombs to Yang, 2019. Supersonic Flight by Eric Concorde: The Authorised This book discusses Brown and D Bancroft, 2012. Biography of Aviation all spacecraft attitude Fairey Rotodyne by David Pioneer Sir George control-related topics: Gibbings, 2009. Edwards OM by R Gardner, spacecraft (including attitude 2006. measurements, actuator, BIOGRAPHIES and disturbance torques), SPACE modelling, spacecraft attitude determination and estimation, Daring Women of History: and spacecraft attitude controls. Amelia Earhart by Mike Spacecraft Dynamics and Roussel, 2017. Control: The Embedded Mike Roussel charts Model Control Approach AIR LAW Earhart’s life and achievements by E Canuto, C Novara, L Returning People to the and explores the investigations Massotti, D Carlucci and C Moon After Apollo: Will It Fundamentals of The Story of the Spitfire: and theories surrounding her Perez Montenegro, 2018. Be Another Fifty Years? By International Aviation Law An Operational and mysterious disappearance. This book provides Pat Norris, 2019. and Policy by B I Scott and A Combat History by Ken Testing Tornado: Cold War a uniform and systematic This book assesses the Trimarchi, 2019. Delve, 2016. Naval Fighter Pilot to BAe way of approaching space legacy of the Apollo missions The book covers the From Nighthawk to Chief Test Pilot by J David engineering control problems based on several decades of major areas of international Spitfire: The Aircraft of R J Eagles, 2016. from the standpoint of model- space developments since the aviation law and provides an Mitchell by J K Shelton, 2015. From Lysander to based control, using state- programme’s end, provides a introduction to the multifaceted BAC One-Eleven: The Lightning: Teddy Petter, space equations as the key comprehensive assessment international regulation of Whole Story by S Skinner, Aircraft Designer by paradigm for simulation, design of today’s programmes and aviation activities in the sphere New edition, 2013. G Davies, 2014. and implementation. current plans of public and private law.

www.aerosociety.com/elibrary

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SEPTEMBER 2021 49 -

NATIONAL AEROSPACE LIBRARY NAL’s lockdown lectures

It is not just the BBC and ITV that have been putting some of the best of their archive content on primetime and online. When we went into lockdown last March, we pushed the accelerator on our Classic Lectures project so members and the rest of the worldwide aero community could look forward to a recording of a classic Society event every Monday. We seemed to have done something right as, throughout lockdown, material from the Society’s audio archives were accessed over 125,000 times, Above: The arrival of the aviation heritage. So, you have to stop and listen with the vast majority coming from the NAL’s releases. first DH9C at when you get a lecture given in 1965 by an old and Charleville in 1923. Capt G Though we have aimed to bring out a blend of Mathews, pilot, on the left bold chief test pilot at Farnborough before the First Society material that will cater for all aero tastes, we and A N Templeton, Director, World War. Another Biggles character; they don’t both have our favourite lectures. For Mike, the best QANTAS Ltd, right. make them like this anymore. are the ones that replicate the exploits of ‘Biggles’- Below: Capt S C Winfield like pioneering early adventures and bravery and the Smith, East Surrey Regiment The Rise and Fall of the Hawker Siddeley others are very understandable technical lectures attached to the RFC, who P.1154 by Dr Michael Pryce MRAeS became a Prisoner of War suitable for a wider audience. Here, in no particular in 1916. https://www.aerosociety.com/p1154pod order, are our 12 recommendations. Both RAeS (NAL). Planned to succeed the Harrier even before the Harrier flew, Michael Pryce tells a fascinating Highlights of a life in aviation but familiar story of how organisational, financial, by Capt Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown HonFRAeS technical, and political problems collided and lead https://www.aerosociety.com/winklepod to Denis Healy cancelling the project in 1965. As He must be the members’ biggest hero. Every an expert in today’s defence procurement projects, Branch lecture he gave was highly oversubscribed Pryce then examines the project’s legacy, both and followed by an invitation to return. He had technically and as a lesson in advanced project his ‘Biggles’ time in the war and his adventures planning. in Germany at the close of the war are truly fascinating. Every lecture was different and Pioneering the Australian air routes with spontaneous and delivered with tremendous clarity. Qantas by Capt L J Brain This lecture should be made compulsory for all the https://www.aerosociety.com/qantaspod family where there are teenage children who need Returning to the swashbuckling theme, in 1954 some direction in life! There are both sound and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation broadcast video versions of this lecture. a talk from a pilot who joined Qantas after World War 1 and helped to open up the Empire routes. It Barnstorming with Cobham is tremendous fun. Of course, as was in the spirit of by Sir Michael Knight FRAeS the day, the only way to land was to crash on a very https://www.aerosociety.com/cobhampod small desert island and wait to be found. Seemed Cobham’s Flying Circus brought the excitement quite usual really! and glamour, challenges and enthusiasm, thrills and spills of aviation to literally millions of people across The Stewart Lectures Britain and parts of the Empire between 1932 and Perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the Society 1935 and, in this lecture, Sir Michael Knight brings is the annual Stewart Lecture where the Aviation them back to life. There are both sound and video Medicine Group gives the floor to one of the finest versions of this lecture. in their business. We know it is a cheat to roll three lectures into one choice, but they are worth it: Memories of a pre-World War 1 Chief Test Aviation Medicine Research: An Unending Pilot by Sqn Ldr S C Winfield Smith DSO Adventure by Dr Charles Billings MS MD FRAeS https://www.aerosociety.com/ https://www.aerosociety.com/billingspod winfieldsmithpod Taking the story of his career ‘as he lived it’, he Working at the NAL at Farnborough, the birthplace explores studies of the body in high-altitude of flight in the UK, cannot help but fill you with conditions and endurance flying and pioneered the

50 AEROSPACE -

ASRS accident reporting system. The results of his study on the effect of alcohol on pilots may not be a surprise, but is great fun! The Spin Behind the Story: The Human Centrifuge in Aerospace Medicine by Wg Cdr Nicholas Green MRAeS https://www.aerosociety.com/spinpod The dangers of losing consciousness while flying has been a continual danger for airmen. ‘Spin Doctor’ Wg Cdr Nicholas Green gives a fascinating and entertaining history of G, G-protection and the medical and other uses of the centrifuge. Into thin air & thick mud: aircraft accidents & how to survive them by Wg Cdr Matt Lewis MRAeS https://www.aerosociety.com/ stewart2008pod Want to know the safest way to travel by air next time you go on holiday? Listen to the top tips from a man who has investigated over 130 air accidents.

An evening with… Lord Brabazon of Tara https://www.aerosociety.com/brabpod Above: John Theodore Stories from a career testing 70 aircraft types, If you want a first class after-dinner speech, go no Cuthbert Moore-Brabazon, all in 96 minutes of great entertainment in this later Lord Brabazon of Tara, further than these three recordings of ‘Brab’. The General Aviation Group lecture from 2012. Clive first man to hold a Royal Aero Club pilots’ licence, 1884-1964, makes the first ‘official’ air freight flight in retells stories from his time at RAE Bedford and friend of the Wright brothers, the man who Churchill 1909. The pig was secured in RAE Farnborough and includes work for Concorde, chose to specify which civil aircraft should be a waste-paper basket which the Hawker Siddeley P.1127/Kestrel and projects produced by the post-war aircraft industry and the was attached to the fuselage exploring short-field landing and blind landing of a Short biplane. RAeS (NAL). Chair of Air Registration Board at the time of the V/STOL aircraft, together with clearance Comet Inquiry, retells some of his finest stories. Below: A self-portrait of NASA’s Curiosity Mars programmes at Boscombe Down and his work with Rover shows the vehicle at the Jaguar, Harrier, Phantom and Hunter. Designing and flying a man-carrying the ‘Big Sky’ site, where its ornithopter by Prof James DeLaurier drill collected the mission’s Curiosity, The Next Mars Rover fifth taste of Mount Sharp, https://www.aerosociety.com/ by Dr Matt Wallace October 2015. NASA. ornithopterpod https://www.aerosociety.com/curiositypod We finished our lockdown podcasts with this hidden We must also mention the timely inclusion of the gem. This is an understandable technical lecture lecture by Dr Matt Wallace on the Curiosity Mars on a project where (unusually) nobody crashes. As Rover delivered in 2012 before the actual landing Mike has been able to match the audio with the and the ‘seven minutes of terror’. Its two-year presentation, you can see clips of a model of the mission has been extended indefinitely and it ornithopter flying with great panache and then of remains active on the Martian surface. Mike again the real aircraft being flown by a pilot – a great combined the audio with the video and slides shown achievement in an incredible looking machine with which leaves us wondering if it would ever work huge flapping wings. …we now know the skycrane approach worked perfectly. Handling the Olympic and Paralympic traffic at Heathrow by Andy Garner FRAeS Last but not least… https://www.aerosociety.com/ https://www.aerosociety.com/filmcomp olympicheathrow As the last of our 12 podcasts we must add the Try putting through thousands of athletes and VIPs Christmas quiz that Mike made for the members. through one of the world’s biggest airports during (OK, so not actually a podcast!) The Library had summer and with luggage including firearms, launched its movie archive of cine films for all to specialist wheelchairs and canoes! Don’t worry, it was watch and Mike thought it would be a good idea all done smoothly and with the London 2012 spirit! to help advertise the project by setting two aircraft identification quizzes using film from archive. Even 55 years of flying fun by Clive Rustin FRAeS then, on the second film nobody got all the right https://www.aerosociety.com/flyingfunpod answers. And Mike thought it was easy!

SEPTEMBER 2021 51 -

…and there are still more to come

Though we have slowed down to release one podcast per month, we have still got more gems in the vaults. Highlights ahead include more interviews from those who pioneered civil flying from the UK to Australia, Major Robert White on flying the X-15, George N Tompkins, Jr on his career in air law and Dr H H Gardner on ‘Brooklands – Cradle of Aviation’.

Want to listen to more classic recordings? Over 300 recording are now available to listen to via the Society’s website at https://aerosociety. com.podcasts, or you can subscribe via the AeroSociety feed on iTunes, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud.

A big thank you to all that have helped with the project

As with most NAL projects, these releases have only been possible thanks to a large number of volunteers, first of which are those who originally Major Robert M White next have helped to track down the copyright holders wrote and presented the lectures and those who to an X-15 aircraft after a and, last but not least, Mike who tirelessly improved research flight. On 17 July organised the original events. Over the past few 1962 he flew the X-15 to an each recording before its release. We would not years, a band of volunteers have helped to listen and altitude of 314,750ft qualifying have been able to do this project without them. review a large number of recordings so we could him for USAF astronaut wings, release only those that stood the test of time. We becoming the first ‘winged’ Tony Pilmer, RAeS Librarian & Archivist and also received help from a number of people who astronaut. NASA. Mike Stanberry FRAeS, NAL volunteer

NEW RAeS CEO Thank you to Sir Brian Burridge

It seems incredible that three years have passed since Sir Brian and I believe that the Society can look forward to growing its answered the call to take on the role of Chief Executive of the reputation and influence as it transforms to become genuinely Society. After such an illustrious career in the Royal Air Force more international, genuinely more digital and genuinely more and in industry many may have thought that Sir Brian might have diverse. been considering a very well earned retirement but I had no On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I offer deep thanks to Sir doubt that he would bring his incredible energy and intellect to Brian for all his hard work and his influence as Chief Executive. the role and play a major part in driving the Society forward. He has given massive service to the Society over many, many What none of us knew at the time was that Covid-19 would years in a wide range of roles and I hope that the end of his arrive in March 2020 bringing major disruption to the Society, tenure as Chief Executive will merely be the prelude to his its traditional business operating model and indeed the sectors ongoing involvement. I wish him the very best of success in all it represents. Working with Trustees and Council, Sir Brian has that he takes on in the future. provided phenomenal leadership in guiding us through this We look forward to welcoming Dave Edwards as our massively difficult period. All of us have been deeply impressed new Chief Executive in the knowledge that he will inherit an by his calm, matter of fact approach to the crisis and his ability to organisation well prepared to play its part in the recovery of embrace new and innovative ways of working. While the Society, aviation and aerospace and in promotion of the vital contribution in common with many of its peers, still has some considerable they make, along with our burgeoning space industry, to wider challenges ahead, I believe we can be confident of a vibrant society and the economy. future. Sir Brian has guided us through a thoroughgoing review of strategy, governance and operations which is laid out in Martin Broadhurst the new Corporate Plan. Some of the lines of development OBE FRAeS were already in train but the process has been accelerated Chair of Trustees

52 AEROSPACE -

NEW RAeS CEO

contribution to climate change, the burgeoning Appointment of RAeS CEO space industry, supporting tomorrow’s aerospace professionals and promoting diversity. “I am looking forward to carrying on that work David Edwards has been appointed as the Chief and ensuring that the Royal Aeronautical Society Executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society in place continues to grow its membership and its relevance of Sir Brian Burridge who is stepping down. David within our industries and beyond.” Edwards will take over as Chief Executive on 20 September. Martin Broadhurst OBE CDIR FRAeS FIOD, Until recently David was Chief Executive of the Chair of the Trustees of the RAeS said: Air Charter Association and led that organisation “David is a perfect choice for us, and I am delighted through a significant period of change and growth that we were able to appoint him. and represented the sector to government and “I pay tribute to Sir Brian as he prepares to move regulators during the Brexit transition and Covid-19. on. His time as Chief Executive was fraught due to He also has experience as a former Executive Covid-19 but he led our Society exceptionally well, Vice President of Qatar Airways and 15 years and brought his vast experience as a senior Royal Air with Gama Aviation where, latterly, he headed the Force and industry figure to bear in helping us make company’s expansion into the Middle and Far East, big strategic decisions and prepare us for the future. as well as serving on the group’s board. He leaves David an extremely well-run organisation David has been a member of the Royal to take over and one which is well prepared to play Aeronautical Society since 1999 and was appointed its part in the sector’s recovery and in promoting the a Fellow in 2010. He’s had a Private Pilot’s Licence vital contribution they make to wider society and the since he was 17 and holds a degree in Transport economy.” Management from the University of Plymouth. David is a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS, outgoing Chief and encouraging the next generation of talent to Executive of the RAeS said: join the aviation and aerospace industries. “David Edwards is extremely well-placed to take forward the Society’s ambition as a learned society in David Edwards FRAeS said: continuing to provide independent, evidence-based “I am delighted to be joining the Royal Aeronautical and authoritative thought leadership. He also well Society at this challenging, but nonetheless exciting understands the nature of engineering businesses time. and the challenges that they face. With David in “Sir Brian and the team have placed the Society place, alongside our excellent staff and hard-working in a really strong position to embrace the collective Trustees, Council members and supported by our knowledge of our membership and contribute enthusiastic cohort of volunteers, we can be assured to global debates on issues such as aviation’s that the Society is in good hands.”

SEPTEMBER 2021 53 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Sean Goldsbrough FRAeS, 37 governance of those actively operating in the Location: Barnsley, UK space environment, and I have been given the rare opportunity of having an impact in exactly that. Job title: Operations Director – NORSS/Senior Orbital Analyst – UK Space Agency. What made you join the Royal Aeronautical Society? The Royal Aeronautical Society What inspired you into aerospace? I think is famous for bringing together the best and most people are fascinated with space from an brightest in aerospace to further the advancement early age, myself included. Even as a youngster, of the many areas within which we are all anything to do with space and the Solar System involved. I had a real desire to be a part of such was high on my list of desired toys, books and TV an important endeavour. Additionally, I believe shows. Just as I was finishing my education, I was having the opportunities to hold discussions presented with a fantastic opportunity to work in with other members will be invaluable for my the space industry, specifically at RAF Fylingdales own personal growth and the ability to work with where satellite surveillance and tracking is a major others to advance new ideas and further develop focus. Once I began in the role, I had an instant relationships with international peers is something I realisation that it was exactly what I wanted! The am always looking to build on. more experience I gained while in that position, the more obsessed I became with space. Throughout What do you hope to get out of your my tenure there, I worked with a number of membership with the RAeS? I look forward fantastic people who were a true inspiration to me to the opportunities being a Fellow of RAeS will and helped me to become who I am today. I look at present to me with regards to meeting with others some of those I worked with then but also even still and learning new things from them, while having and the incredible, impactful roles they’re fulfilling the ability to pass on my own knowledge where and hope that when my career is over, I can look possible. Being a part of what the Society is back with real pride and think ‘I made a positive designed to do will bring me great pleasure if I can contribution’ to this industry and the people within have a positive influence in such things along the it as they do. way. What is the best thing about your current What three items would you take with role? I find great pleasure in working with young you to the space station? I’d take a pencil, people who are just starting or are early in their a notebook and a camera so I could record careers, helping them to achieve their own goals everything I did while on board. I should probably and aspirations. In my current role, I am responsible take a picture of the family but I think I could attach for the fantastic technical teams we have brought one of those to a page in my notebook before I together and the operational analysis and tasks left so, technically, I would say that is still three they are involved with. We have a desire to enable things…! opportunities for bright, young individuals who What’s your favourite aircraft? One particular wish to develop within our industry and to-date I aircraft which I have always considered to be feel we have been successful in that area. I take incredibly impressive is Lockheed Martin’s C-130. great pleasure in watching such people evolve and The versatility and impact the aircraft has made to grow while assisting by passing on knowledge and the armed forces is so impressive, proven by the ensuring they can be involved in many exciting length of time is has been in operation. projects. Who is your biggest inspiration? I don’t Furthermore, I represent the UK in a number believe I have one specific person who I could call of programmes and forums on behalf of the UK my biggest inspiration but, if I had to break it down Space Agency, from EU and European Space as best I could, I would say, my father is someone Agency projects through to being a working group who has always pushed me to be the best I can lead at the Inter Agency Debris Committee (IADC), be. I always looked up to both my parents growing for which I am extremely grateful and have been up and he has been very successful in his own proud to be a part of for a number of years. Having career, something I have always wanted to emulate. the opportunity to work with fantastic individuals Another would be Bob Clarkson, who was a mentor across many areas of government, commerce to me in many ways for the first ten years of my and academia, both nationally and internationally, own working life. He taught me how to work with has had an incredibly positive impact on my own people in an effective manner and how to approach personal development and is something I continue complex situations. I think it would be fair to say to take great pleasure from today. Bob has been the most influential person I have I believe there are things we can do better had the pleasure of working with in my career in how we behave in space operations and the to-date.

54 AEROSPACE Diary

EVENTS www.aerosociety/events-calendar/

1 September Jack Pritchard and the R.38 Airship Disaster, one hundred years on Wendy Pritchard, granddaughter of Major J E M Pritchard who was killed in the accident Online lecture

1 September Darwinian aeroplanes – evolving to a future of sustainable aviation Dr Albert S J van Heerden, Cranfield University Singapore Branch and SIT-UoG online lecture

2 September Project ACCEL – Progress to First Flight Andy Roberts, Flight Test Engineer, Rolls-Royce Online lecture

7-9 September 47th European Rotorcraft Forum Online conference NASA’s Mars Perseverance 21-22 September Rover captures Ingenuity’s International Flight Crew Training Conference – Debriefing the 7 September second flight on 22 April Pandemic Britain’s First Space Rocket – The Story of the Skylark 2021. The Ingenuity Mars Online and at No.4 Hamilton Place conference Robin Brand, Proprietor, New Forest Electronics helicopter is the subject of Boscombe Down Branch online lecture the RAeS Cierva Lecture on 28 September 6 October. Engineering AI to produce autonomous capability in the air 8 September NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS. RAeS online seminar Lockheed Martin’s role within delivering an orbital vertical launch from the Shetland Space Centre 4 October Brough Branch online lecture The RAF and the Lessons of the First Gulf War Dr Sebastian Ritchie 9 September Online lecture Sustainability in Aerospace Seminar – The Sky Ahead IET online conference 6 October Cierva Lecture: Flying on Mars: Development of the Ingenuity 9 September Mars Helicopter The Rapidly Growing Space Industry in the Highlands Benjamin Pipenberg, Aeromechanical Engineer, Aerovironment David Oxley, Director of Strategic Projects, Highlands and Online named lecture Islands Enterprise Highland Branch online lecture 12 October Previewing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) 14 September John Thatcher CEng MRAeS. Project Manager, Mid-Infrared Some Significant Turning Point British Aircraft Instrument, Retired Dr Ron Smith Loughborough Branch lecture Online lecture Room U020, Brockington Building, Loughborough University

14 September 13 October Where’s my flying car? – The 100 years plus history of the WW2 German Fighter Aircraft Piston Engines, a Counterpoint flying car with British Strategy Gary Murden FRAeS, Retired – Education Co-ordinator, The Calum E Douglas Jet Age Museum Brough Branch online lecture Gloucester & Cheltenham Branch lecture 13 October 15 September Faster for the Future High altitude, long endurance UAVs – the challenges and Libby Vallance-Bull, Head of Air Labs, Chief Technologist’s applications of the eternal aircraft Office, BAE Systems – Air Paul Brooks, CEO, Prismatic Preston Branch online lecture Preston Branch online lecture 14 October 17 September The Orkney Sustainable Aviation Test Environment Next Generation Opportunities in Space Professor Andrew Rae, University of the Highlands and Islands Young Persons’ online conference Highland Branch online lecture

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

SEPTEMBER 2021 55 - Elections

FELLOWS Alexander Cutajar ASSOCIATE Timothy Davies MEMBERS WITH REGRET Kerstin Alicki Jeremy Farthing Pat Bergin Mehdi Ghoreyshi Shanum Rais Bangash The RAeS announces, with regret, the death of the Philippa Davies Cis Guy M De Glenn Montanez following members: Sylvain Gloux Maesschalck Mudita Rathore Alan William Howell FRAeS 66 Charles Graham Kazi Haque Gavin Ryan Scott Loughran Robert Head Jason Smith Gabriel Lancaster MBE IEng AMRAeS 99 Dan Martin Justin Imaz Dr John Anthony Mudway FRAeS 61 John McDowall Mustajeeb Khan ASSOCIATES Donald Mckay Ridland CEng MRAeS 100 Adam Nemenyi Deepa Kishnani Ricardo Pilon Allyson Kukel Eric Critchley Norman Rogers FRAeS 94 Iain Meek Steven Lau Robin McTaggart Stanier CEng FRAeS 82 MEMBERS Andrew Melzer Ben Roberts Biju Nanukuttan Christian Agius Phill Rawlins E-ASSOCIATES Darren Burgess Irina Sirbu Terry Butchart Andrew Stevens Tom Green AFFILIATES STUDENT AFFILIATES Amy Caddick Aleksandra Topolinska Luke McConville David Campbell Adam Wordsworth Jastej Sidhu Natalie Meehan Christopher Sykes James Clark Radu Zaharescu Austin Cook

Branch celebrates its 95th anniversary

On Sunday 25 July the Coventry Branch celebrated its 95th anniversary with a dinner and talk at Brandon Hall, Coventry. A very insightful and informative talk was delivered on ‘post war aircraft’ by Prof Keith Hayward FRAeS. There is so much history and so many people to acknowledge and thank for keeping this great Branch going for 95 years, not least our current committee members. Here are a few notable facts: ● The Coventry Branch was the first to be officially formed under the rules for the formation of the Branches issued by the Council in 1926 and remains the longest running Branch within the Society. and support from both Meggitt, based at the new From left: Scott Philips, RAeS ● The first Branch lecture was delivered by Sir facility at Ansty, and Coventry University where all Corporate Affairs Officer; William Farren in 1926. lectures are held. Prof Keith Hayward, after dinner speaker; Ron Carr, ● The first Branch President was Sir John Siddley Stephen Pilling, Branch President, said: “Looking Branch Chair; Air Cdre Bill (Lord Kenilworth) 1926-1939. forward, with one eye on our centenary anniversary Tyack, RAeS past President; ● Sir was Branch President 1946- in five years’ time, it’s our focus now to further and Stephen Pilling, Branch 1947. strengthen the Branch with the recent introduction President. In recent years the Coventry Branch engaged in of our Young Members committee representative to the ‘schools Build-a-Plane scheme’, in conjunction drive a ‘younger generation’ into the Branch, while with a local academy (Ernesford Grange Community building on our historic past.” Academy). On successful completion of the ‘build & We were also joined by Scott Philips, Corporate flight’ many of the academy pupils enjoyed their first Affairs Officer, representing the Main Society and flying experience. The legacy of this project remains past Society President, Air Commodore Bill Tyack today with many of the academy students engaging CBE FRAeS. with further engineering projects and indeed careers in engineering and aerospace. Stephen Pilling CEng FRAeS, Branch President The Branch continues to maintain strong links Ron Carr MRAeS, Branch Chair

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YOUNG MEMBERS

RAeS Young Persons Conference: Next Generation Opportunities In Space

17 September 2021 10:00am - 16:30pm BST Virtual

The annual Young Persons Conference is back! This inspiring conference will seek to represent the variety of specialist areas covered within the space sector.

For more information and to register contact: [email protected] or visit www.aerosociety.com/ypcconference

Thank you Telespazio UK for sponsoring our virtual event!

YPC conference advert.indd 1 10/08/2021 09:36:27 The Last Word COMMENTARY FROM Professor Keith Hayward FRAeS

China and the US – a new technological Cold War?

n 1982, the then US Defense Secretary, continued to support ex-President Trump’s moves to Caspar Weinberger, complained that both legal isolate China. The CFM engine consortium, involving and illegal channels transferring technology the US and France, have been put on a warning to the Soviet Union were providing “rope to about continued supply to Comac. Any restrictions hang us” by bolstering its military capabilities. on the supply of components to the C919 would be IControls in place since the late 1940s had been a body blow to the already long-delayed programme. relaxed during the détente years of the ‘70s but the Reagan administration now felt that the Soviet But the gun can point both ways Union was modernising its military helped by westerners. A number of high profile examples, This time the US might be in line for direct retaliation. mainly involving its European and Japanese allies, China is evidently exploring limiting the export of rare triggered a more aggressive stance. These allies Earth minerals crucial in the manufacture of the F-35 were not amused, and American actions caused and other American weapons systems. There are much resentment. alternative sources of supply but substituting these for Chinese-sourced materials might be hard to do From Bear to Dragon in the short term and the Chinese might then swamp the world market to drive down prices, rendering Into the 21st Century, China is the new target and, other suppliers uncompetitive. again, the role of America’s allies is as much in All of these ‘interesting’ scenarios might yet fizzle the frame as they were back in the ‘80s. The big out as compromise emerges as a better strategy difference now, as opposed to then, is that the than confrontation. However, it is clear that China Chinese have more ways of making life difficult is proving to be a much more difficult adversary for the West. The Soviet Union and Russia today than the old Soviet Union. It has many more strings has little in the way of technology or manufactured to pull in retaliation, including access to its civil goods to use as counter leverage. Raw materials, aviation market. Boeing has already lost out to Airbus especially gas to warm Western European countries, following the Trump years. The French government remain the one weapon in the Russian armoury. will not appreciate potential damage to Airbus or China is a different kettle of fish; it is emerging as to Safran as a CFM partner. The Chinese are quite a technological equal to the West and the US in prepared to cold shoulder hitherto important trading particular, although it is perhaps more vulnerable to partners over issues, such as Hong Kong and have a imports of raw materials than Russia. political and economic system more readily subject to IT IS CLEAR The Huiwei saga has shown that the Chinese orders and controls imposed by the government. THAT CHINA IS have reached parity, if not better, in some areas China may still look for legal and illicit means of of telecommunications. Their space programme collecting scientific and technological data from PROVING TO BE does not need to steal technology from the West. abroad to improve its economic and military position A MUCH MORE However, the Chinese civil aircraft industry is still but, looking at the array of deployed and emerging DIFFICULT struggling to make a commercial breakthrough Chinese military technologies, this stable door has and is highly dependent on US and European long been knocked off its hinges. In any event, ADVERSARY technology and is thus vulnerable to targeted more and more of this equipment is based on home THAN THE OLD sanctions. President Biden has moved rapidly to grown capability and not reverse-engineered or SOVIET UNION distance himself from his predecessor but he has stolen from foreigners.

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