Aviation
Airbus’ Skyways drone trials world’s first shore-to-ship deliveries
Airbus has begun shore-to-ship trials in Singapore with its Skyways parcel delivery drone. This marks the first time drone technology has been deployed in real port conditions to deliver a variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels at anchorage.
The maiden shore-to-ship delivery flight was made to the Swire Pacific Offshore’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel “M/V Pacific Centurion,” 1.5 km from the shoreline of Singapore’s Marina South Pier, carrying 1.5 kg of 3D printed consumables. Landing safely on the ship deck and depositing its cargo to the shipmaster, the Skyways unmanned air vehicle swiftly returned to its base, with the entire flight taking within 10 minutes.
The trials are being undertaken in conjunction with partner Wilhelmsen Ships Services, one of the world’s leading maritime logistics and port services company. During the trials, Airbus’ Skyways drone will lift off from the pier with a payload capability of up to 4 kg, and navigate autonomously along pre-determined ‘aerial corridors’ to vessels as far as 3 km from the coast.
The use of unmanned aircraft systems in the maritime industry paves the way for possible enlargement of existing ship agency services’ portfolio, speeding up deliveries by up to six times, lowering delivery costs by up to 90%, reducing carbon footprint, and significantly mitigating risks of accidents associated with launch-boat deliveries.
Airbus and Wilhelmsen Ships Services signed an agreement in June 2018 to drive the development of an end-to-end unmanned aircraft system for safe shore-to-ship deliveries. The collaboration marries Airbus’ extensive expertise in aeronautical vertical lift solutions and Wilhelmsen’s wealth of experience in ship agency services. A landing platform and control centre were set up at the Marina South Pier in November 2018, through the facilitation of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The maritime agency also designated anchorages for vessels to anchor off the pier for the trials, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore worked with Airbus and Wilhelmsen to ensure safety of the trials.
Skyways is an experimental project aimed at establishing seamless multi-modal transportation networks in smart cities. Through Skyways, Airbus aims to develop an unmanned airborne infrastructure solution and address the sustainability and efficiency of unmanned aircraft in large urban and maritime environments.
Having demonstrated the ability to deliver parcels safely and reliably to vessels anchored off the coast of Singapore, Skyways will soon be commencing another trial phase delivering air parcels autonomously in an urban environment, at the National University of Singapore.
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Aviation
China Set to Debut New J-35A Stealth Fighter at Zhuhai Airshow
Next week, China will unveil its latest stealth fighter, the J-35A, at Zhuhai Airshow. This much-anticipated debut highlights China’s ongoing ambition to strengthen its military capabilities and match U.S. air power, especially within Asia.
Scheduled for November 12-17, the airshow is expected to showcase major advancements in Chinese military aviation, including the J-35A—a new addition to China’s expanding lineup of fifth-generation fighter jets.
This unveiling marks a milestone for China as it becomes the second country, after the United States, to field two distinct fifth-generation stealth fighters. The J-35A is anticipated to complement china jets existing Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter, demonstrating China’s progress toward a high-tech, self-reliant defense industry.
The U.S. currently operates the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, and China’s J-35A will likely be a direct competitor, aligning with Beijing’s aspirations for technological parity with the West.
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The airshow comes at a symbolic time, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of both the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the establishment of the PLA Air Force on November 11. As such, the J-35A’s debut represents not only a technical achievement but also a celebration of China’s growing military influence.
Reportedly, the J-35A could be the first in a series of fighters for the PLA, with potential for carrier-based operations. Its compatibility with China’s aircraft carriers would add considerable strength to the nation’s military reach by enhancing both aerial and naval combat capabilities.
Additionally, the J-35A is seen as a future replacement for China’s aging J-10 and J-11 aircraft, alongside the FC-31. When deployed together with the J-20, the FC-31 will likely offer a potent combination in China’s air defense strategy, solidifying its status as a major player in military aviation.
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China is moving steadily toward its goal of producing indigenous, high-quality military equipment that can rival U.S. and Russian platforms.
This unveiling reinforces China’s position in the competitive landscape of fifth-generation fighters and underlines its determination to be a leading power in both defense technology and strategic military capability.
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