Aerospace

Airbus’ successful ILA Berlin air show, A major Eurofighter order and new sustainability agreements.

Published

1 year ago

June 29, 2022

Airbus' successful ILA Berlin air show, A major Eurofighter order and new sustainability agreements.

Airbus’ made headlines during this week’s ILA Berlin with key developments spanning the company’s military, civil, air mobility and cybersecurity businesses – led by a landmark contract for Spain’s acquisition of 20 latest-generation Eurofighter combat aircraft.

ILA Berlin was the first significant European air show since 2019, Airbus giving the opportunity to expose how it leads the field in sustainable aerospace for a peaceful and safe planet. At the interior exhibits and flight demonstrations at the Berlin Expo Center Airport, it featured a wide variety of aircraft.
Spain’s order for a fleet of Eurofighters fitted with E-Scan radar to replace F-18s deployed by the Spanish Air Force from Gando Air Base on the Canary Islands covered the news from ILA Berlin. Deliveries of these new single- and twin-seat combat aircraft, which will start in 2026, will bring the Spanish Air Force’s total inventory to 90 Eurofighters, placing it among NATO allies with the most advanced fighter jet developed in Europe.

Initiatives, partnerships for sustainability and mobility

Six further announcements made at ILA Berlin highlighted Airbus’ efforts to promote the aviation industry’s objectives for aviation sustainability and enhanced air mobility. The company is launching to grow variety of initiatives and forming important alliances.

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This includes Airbus’ support for the German Air Force’s start of upcoming flight tests utilizing A400M multipurpose airlifters powered by up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Looking further into the upcoming years, the objective is to make it possible for the German Air Force’s entire fleet of Airbus-built aircraft, from fighter jets to airlifters and VIP transports, to operate on SAF, which has proven alternative fuel that can reduce life-cycle CO2 emissions by up to 85% when it compared to conventional fuel. Airbus has started on a long-term path to achieve 100 percent SAF readiness and certification for the different countries operating A400Ms in addition to supporting such near-term initiatives at the national level.

A world’s first helicopter flight with sustainable aviation fuel

Another innovation revealed at ILA Berlin was the first helicopter flight ever made with both Safran Makila 2 engines powered entirely by SAF on an H225 rotorcraft. The trials are expected to retain on alternative fuel and engine architectures in other helicopter types with the goal of validating the usage of 100 percent SAF by 2030.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Airbus and the industrial gases and engineering company Linde to provide hydrogen infrastructure at airports throughout the world. As they evaluate the possibilities of Power-to-Liquid fuels, a type of SAF created from the synthetically manufactured liquid hydrocarbon through the conversion of renewable electricity, they will define and launch pilot projects at various airports starting in early 2023.

Driving the sustainable deployment of advanced air mobility solutions

Also at ILA Berlin, Airbus and Munich Airport International signed a (MoU) to start marketing turnkey solutions for cities and regions interested in building advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystems globally. The successful integration of several AAM components, including Airbus’ City. Airbus NextGen(eVTOL) aircraft, requires good partnership between international and local stakeholders that combine important competences, including partners like Munich Airport.

In addition, Airbus announced a collaboration with KLK Motorsport and Modell- und Formenbau Blasius Gerg GmbH to design, create, and produce the rear structure for City Airbus NextGen. Utilizing each other’s capabilities in design engineering and manufacturing techniques, they will collaborate to create an ultra-lightweight rear fuselage based on premium composite components and solutions.

An A321LR delivery to the German armed forces

The first of two A321LR (Long Range) aircraft for the German armed forces was delivered during a ceremony at ILA Berlin. For flexible troop and passenger transport on short-, medium-, and long-haul routes as well as parliamentary flight operations, Lufthansa Technik AG upgraded it from the commercial version. The aircraft’s medical evacuation mission, which will expand its range of operations to cover the transport of sick, injured, and wounded passengers as a flying intensive care unit, was also prepared for by Lufthansa Technik.

Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, said, “We have worked to ensure that the aircraft meets all expectations with our partner Lufthansa Technik. The A321LR not only flies longer trips but it also reduces CO2 emissions by 20% when compared to earlier aircraft and is approved to run on 50% sustainable aviation fuels, which can further reduce emissions

An innovation hub for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

At ILA Berlin, Airbus signed a (MoU) with the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, representing a major development in its strategy to continue enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities and expertise. This arrangement will result in the establishment of a cybersecurity and reliable artificial intelligence centre in Saarland, Germany.

The “CISPA-Airbus Digital Innovation Hub” will begin operations in 2022 and based in the CISPA Innovation Campus. With the following three years, it plans to increase its operation to about 100 experts, eventually reaching more than 500 experts.

Aerospace

Saudia Enters a New Era Through Major Re-Brand Strategy

Published

22 hours ago

October 1, 2023

Dawal

Jeddah, Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, revealed its new brand identity and livery during a milestone event in Jeddah, in the presence of Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, and leaders from both the public and private sectors, as well as prominent media correspondents and aviation experts. This new identity is in line with a wider strategic digital transformation plan aimed at strengthening the airline’s support for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.

The new brand color identity, comprised of green, blue, and sand, represents Saudia’s aim to expand its fleet and destinations, connecting the world to Saudi Arabia, and emphasizing the Kingdom’s authenticity and deep-rooted values.

In parallel to the rebrand, Saudia has also undertaken a huge digital transformation, entirely enhancing the customer digital experience. Saudia leads among international airlines in operating generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a virtual assistant, named “SAUDIA”, being one of the first of its kind in the region. Saudia will enable guests to complete the entire transaction through this efficient process by the end of the year.

The ambitious, long-planned digital transformation, fully improves customer experience but also allow more streamlined operations and processes while ensuring the highest levels of protection of guests’ personal data, through strong partnerships with global leading companies.

His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: “We are experiencing a new era and a very exciting time for Saudia. Our airline has evolved from a Douglas DC-3 aircraft in 1945, to a 140-aircraft modern fleet serving over 100 destinations, becoming one of the largest airline in the region.

The name and logo of Saudia are integral parts of the Kingdom’s aviation history and development, and our people share a special emotional connection with the brand. We have incorporated this rich heritage into our new identity, adding elements that reflect our visionary approach, poised to captivate the world.”

Saudia is not only rolling out a fully integrated digital program and revamping its look, it is also effectively and quickly helping advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, collaborating with all industry stakeholders to achieve the targets of the National Aviation Strategy. The strategy aims to turn Saudi Arabia into a leader in the global industry, by enhancing the customer experience, improving safety and working towards a more sustainable future, in line with Saudia’s expansion goals to bring around 330 million visitors to the Kingdom by 2030.

Aerospace

By 2026, Dubai hopes to have a fully functioning flying taxi service.

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2023

Dawal

By constructing a fully operating flying taxi network by 2026, Dubai aspires to be the city that leads the future of flying taxis.

According to the Khaleej Times, an English-language newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates, the CEO of Skyports, which builds landing infrastructure for these aerial taxis, said Wednesday that he believed the city would be the first in the world to integrate a “fully-developed network” of flying taxis into its public transportation network.

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According to a news release on its website, Skyports originally announced plans to develop the vertiports – launching pads for these airborne taxis — in February. There are plans to build four landing sites near Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina.

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Four vertiport sites located near Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina, which are currently being considered by Skyports Infrastructure and RTA, were presented to a senior delegation which included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, accompanied by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These initial locations will connect four of Dubai’s most popular – and populous – areas, providing high-speed, zero-emissions connectivity.

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The air mobility exposition demonstrates the RTA and Skyports Infrastructure’s planned roadmap for developing a vertiport network in Dubai for launch by 2026, including a concept for how future vertiport infrastructure may look and how it will integrate with existing transportation, including the RTA’s Dubai Metro network and Dubai International Airport.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of The Public Transport Agency at RTA, said, “The RTA’s plan for aerial taxis is in line with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 percent of all trips in Dubai driverless by 2030. The project aims to roll out a new mobility service driven by pioneering technology to ease the mobility of individuals across urban areas in a safe, smooth, and sustainable manner integrated with the public transport network in Dubai. The service is set to be operational by 2026.

Aerospace

HAL Plans Batch Upgrades for Sukhoi-30MKI Fleet

Published

3 days ago

September 29, 2023

Sana khan

HAL Plans Batch Upgrades for Sukhoi-30MKI Fleet

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aerospace and military firm, is planning a significant modernization programme to improve the capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft fleet. This massive project, which is set to begin in fiscal year 2026-27.

The cockpit of the Sukhoi-30MKI has been completely redesigned as the main point of this upgrade effort. In a state-of-the-art makeover, new-generation touch widescreen checks will replace the present cockpit displays. This improvement is expected to improve pilot situational awareness, data visualization, and control over the aircraft’s systems, leading to a more responsive and accessible interface.

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The addition of a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system produced locally for the programme is critical to the upgrade plan. In electronic warfare settings, this radar technology is critical for improving targeting precision and performance. It improves the Sukhoi-30MKI’s ability to operate effectively in difficult operational conditions by improving detection and tracking capabilities.

Along with the radar update, the mission control computer—a crucial part of the aircraft’s avionics suite—will also see significant advancements. Given the updated Sukhoi-30MKI’s powerful radar system and new display infrastructure, these improvements are crucial to guaranteeing seamless integration and top performance.

Additionally, the modernization programme anticipates an improved arsenal of weaponry that may include advanced electronic defenses and ammunition. A powerful asset in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, this improvement will considerably increase the aircraft’s combat effectiveness.

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The modernization project planned by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) represents a significant stride in India’s quest for enhanced air combat capabilities and technological self-reliance. With the comprehensive redesign of the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft fleet, encompassing cutting-edge cockpit displays, an indigenous AESA radar system, and an upgraded mission control computer, the Indian Air Force is on track to secure a formidable edge in contemporary aerial warfare.

This strategic initiative not only strengthens the Sukhoi-30MKI’s capabilities but also underscores India’s commitment to innovation and defense technology development.

In the pursuit of its ambitious upgrade plan, HAL, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, places a pivotal emphasis on successfully securing the much-needed approvals and financial sanctions from both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

This visionary project, if granted the necessary green light, is set to unfold over the course of multiple years, signifying a long-term commitment and dedication to a transformative goal. The overarching objective is nothing short of remarkable: to meticulously convert the entire existing fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft into the cutting-edge Super-30 variant, with the ambitious deadline set for the year 2034. The meticulous execution of this grand undertaking will proceed at a steady and methodical pace, with an annual target of transforming 20 to 25 aircraft.

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