THE GREAT BRITISH TAKE-OFF - LIGHTNING II HEADS FOR FARNBOROUGH DÉBUT - UK'S NEW CIVIL AEROSPACE R&D - Royal Aeronautical Society
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE GREAT
BRITISH
TAKE-OFF
LIGHTNING II HEADS
www.aerosociety.com
FOR FARNBOROUGH
DÉBUT
July 2014
UK’S NEW CIVIL
AEROSPACE R&D
WILD ABOUT THE
CAT
NASA’S PATH TO
MARS
His Royal Highness The
Prince of Wales is presented
with his Honorary Fellowship
certificate in 1978 by the
then-President Prof Lew
Crabtree. RAeS (NAL).
HRH The Prince of Wales accepts invitation
to become Honorary President in 2016
The Royal Aeronautical Society is delighted to announce that His The Chief Executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Simon
Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has accepted the Society’s Luxmoore said: “We are honoured that The Prince of Wales has
invitation to act as its Honorary President for 2016, the 150th graciously accepted our invitation to become our Honorary
anniversary year of the establishment of the Society. President during our 150th anniversary year. 2016 will be an
His Royal Highness’s Presidency will continue the Royal occasion to celebrate innovation, not only through past
Family’s long association with the Royal Aeronautical Society. Her achievements but, more importantly, through looking to the future.
Majesty The Queen became the Society’s Patron in 1952, As such, we very much intend to support His Royal Highness’
succeeding her father, King George VI, in this role. Both Their continuing commitment to encouraging youth opportunity. The
Royal Highnesses The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and The support of our Honorary President in this important area will inspire
Prince of Wales are Honorary Fellows, the Society’s highest and the next generation towards even greater innovations in science,
most prestigious award. The Duke of Edinburgh was Honorary engineering and technology in general, and to aerospace and
President during 1966, the Society’s centenary year. aviation in particular.”
BAE Systems
Volume 41 Number 7
NASA
July 2014
Carrier countdown NASA’s path to Mars
A look at the behind- Dr Ellen Stofan, Chief
the-scenes work Scientist of the US space
14 integrating the F-35B
with the UK’s new 34 agency, explains the
Red Planet exploration
aircraft carriers. roadmap.
Contents
Correspondence on all aerospace matters is welcome at: The Editor, AEROSPACE, No.4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK publications@aerosociety.com
Comment Regulars
4 Radome
The latest aviation and 12 Transmission
aeronautical intelligence, Your letters, emails, tweets
analysis and comment. and feedback.
Gulf bellwether
10 Antenna 58 The Last Word
Howard Wheeldon looks Keith Hayward on
at how Italy is securing its the importance of the
defence aerospace industrial Farnborough Air Show to the
base with a F-35 final UK aerospace industry.
assembly plant.
Features
This month the global aerospace industry will descend on Farnborough. This
year the UK is riding high — with fresh R&D impetus on the agenda, the F-35
making its first overseas visit and the Airbus A350 making its Farnborough 16 Plane speaking —
Airbus Group
début. However, for the A350, the recent decision by Emirates to cancel 70 Paul Everitt, ADS
On the record with the CEO
widebody orders might be seen in some quarters as a worrying development of the UK’s aerospace,
for the civil aerospace market — and not just in Toulouse. Though Airbus defence and security industry
is confident that there will be no financial impact from these long-term body. 28
GKN
production orders, any hint of Gulf carriers hitting capacity constraints,
Technology horizons
or revising growth estimates downwards, after driving so much of the Airbus Group’s Chief
commercial aeropace industy in the past 20 years, will be a concern in Seattle Technology Officer, Dr Jean
as well. However, it is worth remembering that only in November, Emirates Botti, on turning science
fiction into science fact.
confirmed its commitment to the A380, by placing an order for 50 at the
Dubai Air Show. A case of simply re-adjusting fleet planning? That said, the 20
Raytheon
regular drumbeat of orders from the Gulf mega-carriers has perhaps led to
the entire aerospace community taking their relentless expansion for granted. Preparing for tomorrow
It may not be an aircraft order bubble but an airliner cancellation from global The UK’s Aerospace
carrier Emirates, the bellwether and poster-child for air traffic growth may Technology Institute reseach
into future technology.
raise alarm bells — especially if other Gulf carriers decide to follow suit.
AgustaWestland 32
Tim Robinson
More bangs for your buck
Raytheon’s Paveway IV
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com weapon is set to gain extra
capabilities.
36 Working together
24 Report on 2014 RAeS
Education and Skills seminar.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Editor-in-Chief
Tim Robinson
AEROSPACE is published by the Royal
Aeronautical Society (RAeS).
AEROSPACE subscription rates:
Non-members, £150
Wild about the cat
The AW159 Wildcat 40 Farnborough is coming
+44 (0)20 7670 4353 What to look out for at this
Chief Executive Please send your order to: helicopter enters UK miltary
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com Simon C Luxmoore Dovetail Services Ltd, 800 Guillat year’s air show.
service.
Deputy Editor Advertising Avenue, Kent Science Park,
41 Afterburner
Bill Read Emma Bossom Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8GU, UK.
+44 (0)20 7670 4351 +44 (0)20 7670 4342 +44 (0)1795 592939
bill.read@aerosociety.com emma.bossom@aerosociety.com +44 (0)844 856 0650 (fax)
Publications Manager ras@servicehelpline.co.uk
Unless specifically attributed, no
Chris Male material in AEROSPACE shall be taken Any member not requiring a print
+44 (0)20 7670 4352 to represent the opinion of the RAeS. version of this magazine, please 42 Message from our President
chris.male@aerosociety.com contact: membership@aerosociety.com
Reproduction of material used in this 43 Message from our Chief Executive
Production Editor publication is not permitted without the USA: Periodical postage paid at
Wayne J Davis written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. Champlain New York and additional 44 Book Reviews
+44 (0)20 7670 4354 offices.
Online
wayne.davis@aerosociety.com Printed by Buxton Press Limited, 47 Library Additions
Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire Postmaster: Send address changes
Editorial Assistant SK17 6AE, UK to IMS of New York, PO Box 1518, 48 Sir Henry Royce lecture
Alfonso Serrano Alcala Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA.
50 3D printing
Book Review Editor Additional features and content
Distributed by Royal Mail 51 ILA 2014
Brian Riddle ISSN 2052-451X are available to view online on
Editorial Office 52 Diary www.media.aerosociety.com/
Royal Aeronautical Society aerospace-insight
No.4 Hamilton Place 53 RAeS Council Including: The Airbus A300, Heathrow vs
London W1J 7BQ, UK 54 Corporate Partners Gatwick, Video of RAeS lecture by Dr Ellen
+44 (0)20 7670 4300 Front cover: The F-35 JSF will be making its first international public Stofan, NASA Chief Scientist on Pathways
publications@aerosociety.com appearances this month at RIAT and the Farnborough Air Show. 55 Obituaries to Mars, CV-22 Osprey in the UK,
www.aerosociety.com Lockheed Martin
56 RAeS Elections European MALE plan.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 13
Radome
INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT
Drag reduction
The ovoid fuselage reduces the 'wetted area'
per passenger by 4-14% compared to com-
parable widebodies such as the Boeing 777,
Ilyushin Il-96 and Airbus A340-300.
Range
The Frigate Ecojet is
optimised for shorter routes
than traditional widebody
aircraft. Against single-aisle
aircraft on flights of 1,500km
the company estimates it is
15-25% more fuel efficient
than an A320.
Belly cargo
The Frigate Ecojet's two
NEWS IN BRIEF lower freight compartments
can accommodate up to 20
LD-3 containers or cargo on
?????? ???? ???? ??? ??? 95 ×125 pallets.
Cross-section
????? ????? ??????
?????? ???? ???? ??? ???
????? ????? ??????
?????? ???? ???? ??? ???
????? ????? ??????
?????? ???? ???? ??? ???
????? ????? ??????
Frigate Ecojet
?????? ???? ???? ??? ???
????? ?????
4 AEROSPACE / JULY 2014
Cabin
The triple-aisle cabin could
seat 280-350 passengers in
a three-cabin layout or 400
in a single-class economy
configuration. Seats would Specifications
be a minimum of 20in wide Range 3,500km
and have a pitch of 32in. Cruising speed 442kt
Passengers 280-400
Runway length 2,400m
MTOW 123,000kg
Engines
The Frigate Ecojet Lower landing
project team is
considering various
weight
With its shorter, compact
engines, including PD- configuration, the 300-passenger
18R and PS-90A20 or the Ecojet has the lowest maximum
latest Rolls-Royce and take-off weight of any passenger
Pratt & Whitney engines. aircraft with a similar capacity.
This translates, says the company,
into 44%-56% lower airport
landing fees.
W
AIR TRANSPORT
Eco-efficient oval
From Russia's Rosaviaconsortium is this ultra-widebody airliner concept optimised for medium-haul flights — the
Frigate Ecojet. It uses a horizontally ovoid fuselage section to reduce the wetted area per passenger, allowing
up to 11 abreast in economy seating — giving a maximum capacity of 352 seats. Calculations by Russia's Central
Frigate Ecojet
Aerohydrodynamics Institute (TsAGI) has confirmed the project's eco-efficient credentials — estimating that the
Ecojet's integrated efficiency is 35% higher compared to modern airliners. Rosaviaconsortium estimates a market
for about 600 Ecojets between 2020-2030.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 5
Radome
Insurgents strike AEROSPACE
airports in Pakistan
and Iraq Solar Impulse 2 maiden flight
An attack by Islamic militants on Karachi
Airport, Pakistan, left 39 dead, including
the ten insurgents involved. The raid on 9
June, saw the airport closed as guerillas
attacked the VIP and cargo terminal and a
widebody hangar. The airport reopened
after an overnight battle.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, an uprising of the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
insurgent group saw the militants take
control of Mosul's civil airport and
a military airbase with US-supplied The Solar Impulse 2 solar-powered aircraft made its first flight from Payerne in
Solar Impulse
equipment and helicopters, reportedly Switzerland on 2 June. A larger version of the earlier Solar Impulse 1, the new 72m
including Black Hawks and Bell 407s. wingspan aircraft is to attempt to fly around the world without fuel in 2015.
AIR TRANSPORT SPACEFLIGHT
Emirates axes A350 order, as Airbus NASA set for ‘flying
begins early long flight tests saucer' test
Dubai-based carrier shares fell almost 4% while In July NASA is to robotic Mars missions,
Emirates Airline has Rolls-Royce shares fell by test its new the LDSD test over
cancelled an order for 70 2%. As AEROSPACE goes Low-Density the Pacific Ocean
Airbus A350s following a to press, Airbus has begun Supersonic will simulate the
fleet requirement review. early long flights (ELF) Decelerator entry, descent
Airbus has said that with the cabin-equipped (LDSD) and landing
this cancellation will MSN2 A350 prototype, at the US speeds that a
not adversely affect the with Airbus workers as Navy's range in spacecraft would
A350 programme, as passengers. MSN5, the Hawaii. Designed be exposed to when
NASA
the deliveries were not second cabin-equipped to evaluate technologies flying through the Martian
scheduled to start until the A350 XWB is set to fly which could be used for atmosphere. (See NASA's
end of the decade. Airbus imminently. landing future human and path to Mars, p 34).
NEWS IN BRIEF
will enable the FAA air ATR72-600 turboprop was
Investigators are looking 49 people onboard traffic control centre at Russian Helicopters allowed to fly 13 times in
into two 'unprecedented' a Ukrainian AF Il-76 Albuquerque to ensure that has confirmed that it scheduled service with a
airspace incidents over transport were killed when there is safe airspace for has abandoned plans damaged tail.
Austria in early June where it was shot down on 14 suborbital space flights to to jointly develop a new
13 aircraft temporarily June by pro-Russian rebels be operated from Virgin 2·5t rotorcraft with Airbus Defence and Space
disappeared from ATC using MANPADS near Galactic’s base in New AgustaWestland. However, has revealed an upgraded
radar screens in a Luhansk, Ukraine. Mexico. the two companies will variant of its A330 MRTT
‘blackout’. continue to co-operate — the Enhanced. This
Virgin Galactic has A Gulfstream IV business to produce the AW139 aligns the MRTT with the
Turkish Airlines has announced an agreement jet crashed in Hanscom helicopter for the Russian latest civil A330 and also
converted 15 options for with the US Federal Field, Massachusetts, on market. includes avionics, mission
Boeing 737 MAX 8s into Aviation Administration 31 May, killing all seven systems and IFF upgrades.
firm orders, adding to a (FAA) which will allow the people onboard. The The Australian Transport
previous firm order for 40 space tourist company aircraft caught fire during Safety Bureau (ATSB) is A partnership to combine
of the type and ten of the to operate through US take-off, going off the end investigating an incident space activities has
larger 737 MAX 9 aircraft. airspace. The agreement of the runway. in which a Virgin Australia been agreed by UK, US,
6 AEROSPACE / JULY 2014
AIR TRANSPORT DEFENCE
IATA profit warning for Sukhoi T-50 suffers engine fire
airlines
The International Air December. Total revenues
Transport Association would reach $746bn in
(IATA) has warned that 2014, the body said. With
profits for the global airline average net margins of
industry in 2014 may be 2·4% that equates to just
adversely affected by poor $5·42 per passenger. As
economic growth in China. well as slower growth in
IATA predicts that airlines China, IATA also pointed
may make $18bn of to taxes, fuel prices,
profits this year, down from regulation, infrastructure
a previously predicted constraints and ATM
Sukhoi
$18·7bn earlier in March inefficiencies eating into
and $19·7bn estimated in airline profits.
The fifth Sukhoi T-50 fighter prototype suffered damage
GENERAL AVIATION on 10 June at the Zhukovsky test centre outside Moscow,
when a fire above the right inlet broke out on landing. The
pilot was not injured and Sukhoi says the ‘incident will not
Aerion revamps SSBJ affect the timing’ of the T-50 test programme.
with larger trijet AEROSPACE
MH370 hunt setback
Australian authorities co- discounted as the final
ordinating the international resting place of MH370’.
underwater search for Reports from the US Navy
the missing Malaysian say that the acoustic ‘pings’
777 MH370 have said detected in April, may have
that despite scouring over been from the searching
Aerion has revamped its supersonic business jet (SSBJ) design — now with a larger 850km2 of the Indian ships themselves or other
cabin and extended range. The AS2 SSBJ features three engines versus two on the Ocean floor in the vicinity man-made sources. The
previous design. Aerion anticipates that the AS2 will still be certified in 2021 with of pings thought to be search will continue over
first flight expected in late 2018 or early 2019, followed by a 24-month certification from the aircraft’s beacon, a larger 60,000km2 arc in
Aerion
the ‘area can now be the Indian Ocean.
Australia and Canada. The Wichita, Kansas, factory. crashed at the Moron Technology (ALHAT) test
UK will join the agreement, The nine-passenger bizjet Bombardier has delivered Air Base, near Seville, involved descending an
which has been previously features a Garmin G3000 the first of 90 enhanced on 9 June. The cause unmanned Morpheus
signed by the other three flight deck and is set to CRJ900 regional jets to of the accident is under lander from 800ft using
nations. The agreement receive FAA certification American Airlines. The investigation, but the on the ALHAT systems for
lays the groundwork for later this year. original orders for the aircraft crashed into the guidance.
an international version aircraft, which will operate ground less than a mile
of the US Joint Space The US FAA has cleared under the American Eagle from the runway threshold. Swiss manufacturer Pilatus
Operations Center the Boeing 787 for brand, was first announced began taking orders for its
(JSpOC), which acts as a extended ETOPS flights in December 2013 and NASA has conducted a new PC-24 utility/business
central clearinghouse for over water for 330 included an additional 40 key technology test at the jet at the Geneva EBACE
the military’s tracking of minutes, or five and a half options. Kennedy Space Center show in May. The rollout
space-based objects. hours. This expands on in preparation to land an of the first of three PC-24
the previous ETOPS limit Spanish Air Force pilot unmanned spacecraft on a prototypes is scheduled for
Cessna has rolled out the for the 787 and opens up Captain Fernando Llusa rugged planetary surface in 1 August, with the maiden
first production example the longest trans-Pacific Carrascosa of Ala 11 was the dark. The Autonomous flight to follow in early
of its Citation CJ3+ at its routes. killed when his Eurofighter Landing Hazard Avoidance 2015.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 7
Radome
AIR TRANSPORT DEFENCE
Arke 787 arrives in
style
The first Boeing 787 Force Demo Team.
for Dutch charter Arke has three
carrier Arke 787-8s on
got a VIP order, which
RNLAF F-16 Demo Team
welcome will be used
when it was on services
Brazilian Air Force
escorted between
by F-16s Amsterdam
of the Royal and the
Netherlands Air Caribbean.
AEROSPACE World Cup defenders
Brazil’s military have stadiums will suspend
CSeries uncontained been deployed as part landings at nearby
engine failure of the security measures
surrounding the month-
airports while matches
are underway. The effort
long FIFA World Cup involves 12,600 personnel
tournament. A restricted from the Brazilian Air Force
zone above football and 77 aircraft.
GENERAL AVIATION
UK CAA relaxes fixed-
wing microlight rules
Bombardier
On 28 May, the UK the aircraft no longer
CAA announced the need a Permit to Fly
to operate in the UK.
de-regulation of all
The move, undertaken
Bombardier temporarily suspended flight tests on its CSeries regional jet following an single-seat fixed-wing
after consultation with
‘uncontained’ low pressure turbine engine failure on 29 May. The incident occurred during microlights. stakeholders, expands the
a ground maintenance test of flight test aircraft FTV-1 at Mirabel, Quebec, and involved a This means, for previous SSDR category
Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engine. The company has since resumed engine ground tests. airworthiness purposes, from 2007.
NEWS IN BRIEF
transfer to T2 over the next Soyuz rocket to the Alenia Aermacchi have aircraft will be delivered
Rolls-Royce has run few months. International Space Station announced a joint between 2017 and 2019.
the first Trent 1000- (ISS). The three-man crew proposal to develop a
TEN engine which will On 23 May, an RAF consisted of Germany’s next generation (medium A USAF Global Hawk has
eventually be used to RC-135W Rivet Joint Alexander Gerst, Russia’s altitude long endurance) flown in UK airspace for
power future models of made its first training Max Surayev and NASA’s MALE UAV. The companies the first time. The UAV,
the Boeing 787. The new flight in UK airspace from Reid Wiseman. say, if approved by operating at 50,000ft in
78,000lb thrust engine is RAF Waddington since European governments, controlled airspace, was
scheduled for certification delivery last November. The Gulfstream has introduced such a jet-powered MALE taking part in a NATO
at the end of 2015. RC-135W has now been the 7,500nm range design could be ready by evaluation called Unified
cleared to an ‘initial release G650ER which the US 2020. Vision 2014.
The new £2·5bn Terminal to service’, according to manufacturer claims
2 at Heathrow Airport the MoD. makes it the world’s Air New Zealand has United Launch Alliance
was opened on 4 June longest-range business jet. ordered ten Airbus (ULA) launched the
to passengers using 34 On 28 May a multinational A320neos, one A320 USAF's sixth Block IIF
United Airlines' flights. crew launched from Airbus Defence and and three A321s in a deal GPS satellite atop a Delta
A further 25 airlines will Kazakhstan aboard a Space, Dassault and worth up to $1·5bn. The IV rocket on 16 May.
8 AEROSPACE / JULY 2014
GENERAL AVIATION SPACEFLIGHT
550mph jet powered
flying car
Greg Brown
Two US inventors, Greg GF7 would use a 3,500lb
Brown and Dave Fawcett Williams FJ44-4 turbofan
have unveiled a concept to power this ‘flying car’,
for a four-seat jet-powered with electric propulsion
roadable aircraft, capable on the ground. The team
of taking off and achieving are aiming for a flying
SpaceX
speeds of 550mph. The prototype in four years.
Rolls-Royce opens new SpaceX reveals Dragon V2
facility Commercial space ISS in low Earth orbit. The landing-legs and retro-
Rolls-Royce has opened a new £100m company SpaceX has Dragon V2 is also reusable rockets to enable it to land
advanced fan/turbine disc production revealed the manned and is equipped with vertically after re-entry.
version of its cargo-
facility, in Washington, UK. Once
operational, it will produce some 2,500
carrying Dragon capsule,
which will be able to carry
DEFENCE
discs per year. seven astronauts to the
Swiss vote no to Gripen
AIR TRANSPORT The people of Switzerland to the proposals. The public
have voted to abandon a vote could also threaten
INFOGRAPHIC: Local heroes: the proposed purchase of 22 other proposed measures,
value of regional UK airports Saab Gripens to replace
the Swiss Air Force’s
including a pact between
Saab and Pilatus to offer
remaining Northrop F-5 the PC-21 turboprop as
fighters. a possible solution for
Held on 18 May, 52% Sweden's future pilot
of respondents voted ‘no’ training requirements.
ON THE Correction
MOVE In last month’s
ATR has appointed AEROSPACE in the
Patrick de Castelbajac as article on Eurofighter
its new CEO. upgrades ‘In the
Typhoon’s path’ the
Paul Watts is the new phrase ‘leading-edge
GM of Bell Helicopter’s route extensions’ was
Lafayette, LA assembly used. It should, of
plant. course, be ‘leading-
edge root extensions’.
Airport Operators Association
Bristow Group We apologise for any
announced that John confusion caused.
Briscoe has been
✎
appointed to the position
of Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 9
antenna: Global Outlook and
Analysis with
HOWARD WHEELDON
The Italian Job
J
THE ITALIANS ust as British, French, Spanish and German terms of further potential defence cuts could well
ARE TO BE governments have all been forced to mean that retention of sovereign capability and skills
COMMENDED take a long hard look at what they spend will continue to play a large part in dictating future
on defence, so too has the new Italian policy toward defence equipment procurement.
FOR THE MANNER government been questioning future defence While critics would regard this as playing ‘politics’,
IN WHICH capability needs with renewed vigour. In as opposed to creating well thought out defence
THEY HAVE March, weeks after taking office, newly appointed ‘strategy’ I suggest, despite the rhetoric and ambition
AGAIN PLACED Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi suggested to the contrary, that in a fractious and delicate
that the defence budget would be cut by €3·7bn parliamentary system such as the one that Italy has,
MAINTENANCE in 2015/16 and that a White Paper overseen by when pressured Prime Minister Renzi will likely tread
AND a group of experts managed by the Italian Ministry a far more cautious path on defence cuts than the
SUSTAINMENT of Defence would be published before the end of one currently being targeted.
the year. The White Paper would apparently run in
OF SOVEREIGN parallel with a separate defence commission review
Notwithstanding the importance of Italy within
NATO, it is also right to point out that, after several
MANUFACTURING that is looking at future procurement. rounds of past defence cuts, Italy retains, when
CAPABILITY OVER That Parliament, as opposed to the Supreme compared to fellow Northern European NATO
AND ABOVE THE Defense Council, is now required to provide the members, a high level of air power capability. The
primary decision and influence, marks a huge Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) fast combat
CHEAPER RISK change in attitude and approach to Italian defence jet inventory had, not so long ago, been as high as
AVERSE OPTION procurement. It is one that is known to be opposed 253 aircraft. However, at the time of writing, the
OF BUYING by Italy’s President, Giorgio Napolitano, but probably current fast jet inventory is believed to comprise 16
COMPLETED unlikely to be reversed. Desperate to cut public AV-8Bs, 55 still active Tornado aircraft in both IDS
spending, Prime Minister Renzi has suggested that a and IT-ECR form (another 44 aircraft are held as
AIRCRAFT OFF- further €3bn of defence cuts could emerge over the retired or stored), 52 AMX ground-attack aircraft plus
THE-SHELF next three years, these being facilitated by closure a still expanding fleet of 71 Eurofighters. When the
of almost 400 military barracks plus additional cuts remaining Eurofighters on order have been delivered
to planned numbers of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. the total will amount to 96 aircraft.
In the case of the latter, these had already been Although intended numbers of F-35s could
slashed from an original intention to acquire 131 still be cut, the Italian Government continues to
aircraft down to 90. As if to back the intention to have a stated intention to acquire 90 aircraft from
further cut F-35 procurement, on 19 March the Lockheed Martin. These are currently specified as
Italian Parliament signed off a report that called for being 60 ‘A’s and 30 ‘B’ STOVL variants. Clearly, given
significant cuts to the F-35 programme. the age of some legacy aircraft, modernisation of
Italy had already been going through a process the fast jet fleet is essential but, like other nations,
of previously agreed defence cuts that would see including France, faced with the similar affordability
current numbers of military personnel reduced by utility issues, the Italian Government remains under
20% by 2022. The White Paper, when it emerges, considerable pressure from the ECB to balance its
is, however, more likely to highlight the need to books and to start reducing debt.
speed up the process of scrapping legacy capability. Even so, having worked hard to support its
Aware of the need to modernise, I take the view that, NATO allies over the past 20 years and proven the
despite pressure to recommend further programme potency and efficiency of its air power capability, I
cuts, it will likely focus on important elements of suggest that, given the proximity of Italy to some of
future defence strategy and capability requirement. the more troubled regions of the world, it may be
If correct, this would suggest that what eventually worth reminding that Italians have a tendency to
emerges as a result of the White Paper may not be be far more sensitive to the needs of maintaining
quite as bad as it appears on the surface. strong defence than some of Europe’s other NATO
It is also worth remembering that Italy has a members. Indeed, just as we are seeing defence
very different attitude and approach to its defence chiefs in France placing their heads over the parapet
industrial base than countries such as Britain. To that objecting to further defence cuts and complaining
end and despite being strongly supportive of EU that those already authorised have gone too far, I
membership, Italy places national interest, sovereignty doubt that Italian service chiefs will take another
and skills retention as a high priority. Translated in proposed round of defence cuts on the chin.
10 AEROSPACE / JULY 2014Lockheed Martin's
F-35 Fort Worth
facility. Italy has
built its own
assembly line at
Cameri.
Lockheed Martin
The issue of maintaining sovereignty, jobs and in the maintenance and sustainment of sovereign
skills is also likely to play a role here. Just as Italian manufacturing capability over and above the cheaper
industry continues to build Eurofighter aircraft, so too risk-averse option of buying completed aircraft off
has the nation decided to build in-country all the F-35 the shelf. What is equally impressive is that, given
aircraft that it orders for the Aeronautica Militare. The the requirement for common standards of design
superb built-for-purpose Alenia Aermacchi facility at and build, meaning that the Italian method of wing
Cameri will also build the 37 F-35s that have been production and final aircraft assembly is not at
ordered by the Royal Netherlands Air Force. variance with that of US production standards, it
Retention and, more importantly, sustainment appears that, from an efficiency and productivity
of sovereign manufacturing capability, is hugely point, the Cameri facility has already more than
important to Italy. While Britain, a Tier One partner in achieved its objectives.
the F-35 programme producing approximately 15% With capacity to produce approximately 71 wing-
of the aircraft, along with Australia, Norway, Denmark sets per annum, the current plan is for production of
and Turkey will take all the F-35s they acquire directly 65 wing-sets a year in a programme that expects to
from LM in Fort Worth, the Italians have chosen to deliver a total of 835 wing sets in the years ahead.
continue the long tradition of manufacturing or, in the In terms of aircraft assembly, the initial plan is to
case of the F-35, assembling most of what it requires produce eight F-35s per year by 2018, increasing to
in terms of defence capability at home. Italy has two aircraft per month thereafter.
secured considerable additional work on the F-35 During my visit I was able to see the first four
programme and is a second source supplier of F-35 Italian-assembled aircraft at various stages of
wing-sets for LM. production. The first, AL-001, was due to be powered
Having recently visited the Cameri production up in June with a first flight anticipated in May/June
facility which is already well engaged in construction 2015. Aircraft AL-002 and AL-003 were also in the
work on the complex F-35 wing-sets that are preliminary stage of construction.
then exported to the US, the engineering prowess The Cameri facility is a reminder that Europe
and programme expertise developed was very has not lost the art of investing in military aircraft
impressive. Starting from a green-field site in 2011, manufacturing. But, in the great scheme of things,
the now complete complex contains no fewer than unless Europe decides to be bold and to look at
22 different buildings that have been designed for investing in a new manned aircraft programme and
a variety of purposes, including wing manufacture, gets its act better together on UAVs, we will continue
aircraft assembly, final finishing and acceptance to be beholden to the US. It is our choice to make
testing. The hope is that, eventually, the plant will be but, once made, there can, in the highly sophisticated
the centre of excellence for all European F-35 MRO world of military aircraft technology, be no turning
and future upgrade work. back.
With 6,000 Italian jobs reliant on the F-35, of Italy’s plan for F-35 production may appear to be
which Cameri will eventually be responsible for a brave decision and one that others would consider
around 1,500 both in wing manufacturing and full to be full of potential risk but it is to be commended
aircraft assembly, the success of Cameri is hugely for the bold statement it sends. While the plan has
important. The decision to invest in a full ‘Final great merit, in my view, achieving the wider long-term
Lockheed Martin
Assembly and Check Out’ (FACO) facility was not vision to be Europe’s F-35 MRO centre of excellence
taken lightly and there remains a high degree of on the Cameri site will, at a time when Italy is striving
potential risk. The Italians are to be commended to cut expenditure on defence, require a degree of
for the manner in which they have again placed stability to emerge first.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 11Transmission
LETTERS AND ONLINE
Eurofighter
resources in place for the community and individuals
future — just like any other already knew, she did
business. give glimpses of direction
and food for thought (and
Kim Verbraeken All answered a heck of a lot of
this does is take the questions). It does seem
focus away from a global there is some momentum
problem. Pilot shortage toward Moon followed by
combined with high cost Mars missions. There is no
of training not only is a UK doubt that, on the face of it,
issue, the entire world is the UK could cautiously get
facing the same problem. involved, especially as we’ve
These problems should be the talent. We just need to
tackled on a global scale, have strings attached to the
and industry plus govern- substantial financial backing.
ments need to take action. Following the RAeS
An isolated BALPA pro- presentation, she gave
posal focused on the UK another talk at London
situation only will agravate University. She is a great
the situation! ambassador for NASA
and for the sciences and
struck many chords for
me (astronomy, aero/
i
space, planetary physics,
geophysics). I think, if we
Air-to-air refuelling from a Tornado to a Typhoon. see much more of her in the
future, it would be a delight
and I’m very pleased to have
Typhoon tankage cheaper version. With the bonds or by the money the spoken to her.
I have known since the consequence of yet another pilots make for them over
first flight of its precursor/ debacle, different only in time. It’s not the taxpayers’ Michael T Systems
quasi-prototype EFA 30 magnitude from the farce problem, it’s a problem the Engineer [On Hybrid Air
years ago that the Typhoon of the catapult/no-catapult/ industry brought upon itself Vehicles Airlander airship(2)]
Geoffrey W Chartered I’m fascinated by these
would need more tankage. catapult decade-hence- by creating a market where Senior Aircraft Structural
Every small warplane, from maybe aircraftless carriers. people have to self fund. aircraft but doesn’t the world
Design and Development have a shortage of helium?
the Spitfire and before, Power in international affairs It’s Catch 22. No sponsor- Engineering Professional
has. It would have been necessitates military muscle. ship so people self fund, Or is it OK to use hydrogen
[On RAeS lecture from Dr now?
far more economical, in Scrimping on defence people self funding so no Ellen Stofan, Chief Scientist
performance degradation incurs waste that renders need to provide sponsor- of NASA(1)]
as well as money, to design our pretensions ridiculous, ship NASA can only achieve this
this in, when it would have that destroys the important aim if the US government
been virtually free! A thicker influence that Britain could Tim Lee-Foster No. All and people are behind it like
wing would have increased exert. that will do is cement the days of Apollo but I do
the internal volume and, this ridiculous tax into not think there is enough
because deeper, still have Noel Falconer FRAeS place. We should be support in the US, a joint
weighed less; while a little campaigning to get rid venture like the ISS would
more sweepback held of it entirely. But it’s not be the best way forward,
down the sonic drag. As did going to happen until possibly with China involved
f
MoD, the RAF and BAE. the shortage really starts instead of Russia, However,
The catch was that the to bite — and right now this would be dependent on @lawlorpd [on Emirates
saving was long-term and it isn’t. There is still no US politics so is unlikely. A350 cancellation] as-
the expenditure immediate, shortage of newly qualified tonishing — Farnborough
inside the event horizon of pilots looking for that first Dee A Aircraft technician and some better news
politicians concerned to job — the problem lies at American Airlines can’t come quick enough
buy the coming election with getting them some Dr Ellen’s talk was very for the Airbus press office.
and, at best, the next. They experience. enjoyable and well
pressured — is blackmailed Derek Pake [On corporate presented, considering she
too strong a word? — the partner briefing about man- was originally supposed @McBaine146 vote of
Llyr Jones No.
defence community, with aging the future pilot short- to have shared the stage no confidence in #Airbus
Commercial airlines need
threats to vital projects and age] Here’s a better idea, with a colleague and had and the A350? Not that
pilots, and these airlines
implicitly to the existence have the airlines pay for to conduct it alone. While Boeing and the 787 is
should invest to make sure
of individual Services, the training and recoup it most of the content was much better.
they have the necessary
to accept the close-in- back through sliding scale what we as an aerospace
suitably qualified,
12 AEROSPACE / JULY 2014. @Josephaviation [on
new Aeroscopia Museum]
@AlexdEsterre [On Yes, one very impressive
RAeS Bristol Branch new Airbus museum.
lecture on electric flight] A
thoroughly enjoyable event
this evening, feel privileged
to be around some of @DanVanderberg HSA
Britain’s most intelligent did a fine job on the wing
minds. #Aviation and kept British know how
on A300 after Govt pulled
out. Undaunted (relieved?)
@PeterFarrowAST [On Airbus kept going.
managing the pilot short-
age] big question here,
do we ‘manage’ it or take @jvrermondon Hope you
action to negate it? have enjoyed Aeroscopia
and we’ll get back once it
is full and ready for its first
A Concorde and prototype A300 in the new Aeroscopia Museum at Blagnac. visitors ;)
@pilotjobsuk Pilot
Shortage? Tell that to
the hundreds of currently
unemployed pilots. @flyinggibbon [On @PhilipDjaferis [On fire @PaulMarks12 The @Baz577 Why has
the Embraer KC-390] destroying an Il-96 on the reluctant German team Captain Eric Brown never
Interesting, how does the ground in Moscow] The he seconded to grab been awarded a knight-
turbofans’ reverse thrust fire apparently started in the Nazi planes was hood??? Oh yes, he’s not
@Getintoflying [On the
compare to the range of the cockpit. It was parked interesting too, and his a 20-something sports
new UK CAA GA draft
say a C-27 to stop once there for months and was US ops ... ‘celebrity’ ...
regulations] What does
down? up for sale but who wants
the @AeroSociety make
an Il-96?
of the @UK_CAA draft
GA policy? Our thoughts
here: getintoflying.co.uk/ @EdwardHawkins
@Rob_Coppinger [On @crichardson123 [On @GlosAirport here he is
features/ Truly impressive when we
aircargo drones decades Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown BBC opening @JetAgeMuseum think of today’s talk about
away]. We hear this at TV documentary] what an a few weeks ago. Amazing the ‘speed of change’,
Aerosociety event but an amazing pilot and amazing man. pic.twitter.com/
@AGM100UTC [On ‘transformational change’,
EU Commission study man — a truly national qdZx4MNOu8
MH370 mystery disap- etc.
has identified tech map, jewel!
pearance] This whole
follow-on concepts study
event is alarming ... sh.
possible.
Lt Cdr Eric Brown piloting modified de Havilland Mosquito FBVI, LR359, which made the first twin-
engined carrier-borne landing on to HMS Indefatigable on 25 March 1944.
RAeS NAL
@durtgeek [On a short- @jonititan Personal deliv-
age of maintainance ery drones are technically
technicians] If there was feasible but the barriers
more of a push towards are regulation and liability.
focusing on maintenance
instead of pilot careers for
youth all the time.
@PauloNurra [On PAK-
FA fire accident] It could
be for sure an expensive..
@AngusBatey [On news trade off between repair or
from RAeS RPAS confer- new built.
ence] ‘UK govt opposes
1. http://aerosociety.com/News/Insight-Blog/2257/VIDEO-Dr-Ellen-Stofan-NASA-Chief-Scientist-on-the-path-to-Mars
EASA plans for single 2. http://aerosociety.com/News/Insight-Blog/2081/Airships-a-new-dawn
UAS regulation regardless
of size’ says to industry: “if @martinmcnamara
you think we’re wrong, tell
us.” #RPASToday
Oops ... ah well, most
prototypes have one glitch
or another...
Online
Additional features and content are available to view
online at http://media.aerosociety.com/aerospace-insight
@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes
Find us on LinkedIn f facebook.com/raes
Find us on Facebook. www.aerosociety.com
www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 13DEFENCE
Queen Elizabeth carriers
Carrier Countdown
This month on 4 July the first of the UK's new Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC)
carriers is set to be launched by Her Majesty the Queen — an important
milestone in restoring Britain's naval air power. TIM ROBINSON talks to
some of the engineers responsible for putting the 'air' in aircraft carrier.
THERE IS
A UNIQUE he thing to bear in mind with the
“T
the transitions between aircraft variants” notes
CAPABILITY QEC,” says David Atkinson, F-35 Atkinson.
HERE IN THE UK Integration Lead, BAE Systems, “is
the sheer scale of the flight deck.
AT BAE It is just huge — three times bigger
Leveraging simulation
SYSTEMS AT than the Invincible-class deck.” Atkinson is part Integration of the F-35 with the QEC, in particular,
WARTON, WHICH of the industry team that is working on this giant has harnessed the growing power of simulation and
IS TO SIMULATE flagship project. This BAE team, distinct from the synthetic modelling to de-risk the process. Inside a
company’s prime role in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance F-35 motion simulator at BAE Warton's facility, test
OPERATION (ACA), is the interface between the aircraft (F-35) pilots can assess the aircraft in the landing pattern,
OF THE F-35 and naval teams working on this project — to develop CONOPS (CONcepts of OPerationS)
WITH OUR, OR ensure that the UK's new stealth fighter and its and take-off and land on a ‘virtual’ HMS Queen
new carriers mesh as smoothly as possible. The Elizabeth. The simulation is not bound to the F-35B
ANYBODY ELSE’S, team, reporting up to the F-35 Joint Programme and QEC either — it can also emulate F-35C and
AIRCRAFT Office via Lockheed Martin, is the first ‘port of call’ CVN characteristics. Additionally, to enhance realism
CARRIER for ACA and the MoD for questions about F-35 and develop procedures for take-off and recovery,
integration. Says Atkinson: “Our role is to help the other multiple ‘virtual’ F-35s can be inserted into
David Atkinson MoD and ACA ensure the F-35B is integrated as the simulations — to allow the pilot to assess how a
F-35 Integration Lead efficiently and effectively as possible with the QE formation of aircraft would recover to the ship. Says
BAE Systems Class aircraft carrier.” This has involved extensive Atkinson: “There is a unique capability here in the
engineering, simulation and modelling — going UK at BAE Systems at Warton, which is to simulate
back a number of years. operation of the F-35 with our, or anybody else’s,
However, as defence observers will know, aircraft carrier who provides their model to us.” He
the CVF future carrier project hasn't always been observes: “It is the result of many years of [flight
smooth sailing. The UK Government's switch from simulation] experience in the facilties at Warton
STOVL F-35B to CV (cats and traps) variant and which has resulted in the leading edge that we have
back again in 2012, not only looked like dithering and can bring to bear on these two hugely important
and cost valuable resources, but also set project programmes.”
BAE Systems
engineers racing to make up lost time. “That Though the F-35B’s advanced fly-by-wire flight
interruption has had an effect on the programme, control system has taken much of the hard work
however our simulator models have helped to ease out of vertical landings — the simulation has already
14 AEROSPACE / JULY 2014The F-35 motion simulator
at BAE Warton has been
crucial in developing QEC
CONOPS.
aircraft has all three (including the nose) wheels in
contact right up until the point where the aircraft
leaves the deck — giving positive nosewheel QE- CLASS
proved its worth in helping test the Shipborne authority throughout. Additionally, the F-35Bs smart
Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) manoeuvre, which is
a UK-specific landing technique that allows higher
‘bring-back’ (several thousand pounds additional
flight control system ‘knows’ when it is going up a
ramp and will pre-position the control surfaces and
effectors to launch at the optimum angle to avoid
28
MILLION
weight) of weapons and fuel — especially in hot pitch-up or down.
climates. SRVL sees the pilot land in hover mode
HOURS SPENT
but with forward speed — enabling the wings to Thermal challenges DEVELOPMENT
generate useful lift. Unlike a traditional carrier & DESIGN
approach at 130kts, where the pilot is prepared However, the biggest engineering challenge in
to ram the throttle open in case of a 'bolter' — the F-35 integration, says Atkinson, is the aero-thermal
SRVL ends with the aircraft automatically moving
the propulsion system to idle and the pilot applies
environment surrounding the hot-exhaust gas of
the F-35B and its 40,000lb thrust F135 engine.
250,000
the brakes. Input from test pilots in the simulator This challenge is not novel to the F-35 but has been LITRES OF
has also added SRVL-specific symbology — a known about since the 1960s and the Hawker PAINT USED
ship-referenced velocity vector to the pilots HMDS Siddeley P.1154, when it was realised that any
(Helmet Mounted Display System), to better judge supersonic P.1127/Harrier follow-on would need
the approach path using this recovery technique. extra effort to tackle this problem. Indeed, a scale
F-35 hot-gas test rig has been used at Warton for
250,000
some years to explore the aircraft's external thermal KM OF
Lights, camera, action
environment. ELECTRICAL
Indeed the SRVL concept has also made another For the QE-class this has been dealt with in the
change in the F-35/QE integration — that of a development of a thermal metal spray to protect CABLE
new stabilised lighting system or ‘Bedford Array'. the flight deck against high-exhaust temperatures.
Independent of the two glide path indicators (for This says Atkinson, was a unique challenge — while
both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft) in the thermal metal spray existed, for use on an aircraft
port catwalk, this proprietary system, developed by carrier it had to combine heat-resistant properties
QinetiQ and manufactured by AGI Ltd uses LED with those needed by a flight deck — for example
lights in the deck tramlines to provide a gyro- the friction characteristics needed to grip aircraft
stabilised glidepath alignment cue and a forward tyres in wet conditions. Thermal proofing measures
and aft limit line to F-35B pilots carrying out SRVL such as higher temperature resistant paints and
approaches. The ‘Bedford Array’ approach lighting shields also extends to the catwalk and liferafts.
was trialed with QinetiQ's VAAC Harrier testbed in Says Atkinson: “The historic STOVL knowledge and
2008. Indeed, work on the QEC visual landing aids experience that was developed throughout the 60s
goes back even further, to the very start of the CVF to 80s has allowed UK understanding of ground
programme and these aids have been progressively erosion and hot gas to be brought to bear on this
developed using the Warton flight simulator. aircraft's ship interface.”
The lighting on the QEC is innovative in other
ways. Giant TV-style ‘departure boards' on the side Conclusion
of the islands allow information (and even video) to
be viewed by flight deck personnel or aircrew sitting After the launch, the next milestone will see HMS
in readiness. It can also, if needed, project white Queen Elizabeth head for sea trials in 2016. This
light, acting as floodlights for maintenance or other will most likely see the first aircraft landings on
operations at night. the carrier, albeit with helicopters to support this
activity. First rotary-wing ship operating limit tests
Not your father's ski-jump are planned for 2017. First of class fixed-wing deck
trials with F-35Bs from the US are planned to begin
The QE-class's ski-jump, too, has been carefully by the end of 2018 and to be completed in 2019,
designed and engineered from the beginning — leading to an Initial Operating Capability in 2020.
drawing on BAE's Harrier heritage. Says Atkinson: Thus, in 2020, the UK will possess a state-of-
“We had to go back into the archives and talk the-art warship and valuable floating piece of real
to people who had actually been involved with estate — able to embark up to 36 stealth F-35s
Aircraft Carrier Alliance
trials with the Sea Harrier and Harrier to make and/or helicopters (including Chinooks) to project
sure we understood the history of ski-jump ramp power, presence or offer assistance anywhere in the
development. The aircraft carrier ski-jump is a UK world. This potent carrier strike force represents a
innovation and something the UK is very proud massive jump in capability over the Invincible/Harrier
of”. The QEC's ski-jump is longer (200ft) than the era — and perhaps, in one way, sees the UK's CVA-
Invincible-class (150ft) and designed so that the 01/P.1154 ambitions of the 1960s come full circle.
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 15PLANE SPEAKING
Paul Everitt
Plane Speaking with:
Paul Everitt On the eve on this year’s Farnborough
Air Show, we catch up with PAUL EVERITT,
CEO, ADS Group, to ask him about the current
ADS Group
status of the UK aerospace and defence
industry, the concerns of his members and
the possible implications of Scottish
independence to UK plc.
A
EROSPACE: How would you sum incredibly important development. The commitment
up the state of the UK aerospace of industry and government to a £2bn forward
industry today? programme of R&D investment is very substantial,
particularly since it takes us not just to the next
election, but the election after that. So we go
through both this Parliament and the life of the next
PE: It’s a really positive and optimistic time. There is Parliament. That really gives us a sense that this is
a lot of genuine excitement across industry. I guess a long-term arrangement. The role of the ATI is one
that the background context to that is a range of of developing strategy and co-ordinating resources.
things. You’ve got exciting products, some of which We know what we are trying to do in terms of where
we will see at Farnborough and others that are or the UK’s key strengths lie and the challenges of
are about to come onto the marketplace. We’ve also the customer requirements from airlines. Therefore,
got growth in the civil market, which is continuing what we need to do is to deliver products that will
and looks very firm. We are seeing that increasing in satisfy that customer demand. The ATI’s role is
terms of deliveries, alongside the strong orderbook. to bring these things together in a coherent and
I think the other one, at least from a UK perspective, co-ordinated way. In the past we tried to invest in
is linked to the broader context of industrial everything and eke out as broad a coverage as
strategies. The Government gets the importance possible from the limited resources available. Now,
of industrial strategy. It is absolutely committed to ATI is going to focus the investment that delivers
a genuine partnership with industry, providing the the best return for the UK as a whole. That is a very
support, certainty and continuity that gives us the significant and important development.
confidence to invest.
Q: What is currently the biggest concern to your
Q: How significant is the launch of the aerospace and defence members?
The UK’s space sector Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI)? (see
is becoming increasingly
important.
page 20-23). Can a new ‘virtual’ R&D centre PE: The biggest concerns across civil aerospace,
really replace the RAE Farnborough of old? are challenges in the marketplace. We have
customers that are very keen to buy more products
PE: It’s a different world, I don’t think we are trying (which is really good) but the economics of their
to recreate things. The ATI needs to be seen in the businesses mean that to buy more products
context of all the work by the Aerospace Growth they need a more competitive offering. That has
Partnership (AGP) and again the link back from ramifications from the very top of the supply chain
that into the broader commitment to industrial all the way down through it. The combination of
strategies. There is no doubt that the ATI is an increasing demand as well as the competitive
SSTL
16 AEROSPACE / JULY 2014“Airbus is clearly an
absolutely crucial part
of the UK industry”
Airbus
pricing pressures, are challenging for individual the excitement, but also career opportunities. This
businesses. The growth in demand is certainly is to ensure that we win our fair share, if not more
challenging in terms of finding and identifying a than our fair share of the people that are available.
pipeline of appropriately qualified and skilled people. Hopefully this will also inspire more people to take
For some businesses, particularly those that are the right kind of courses and get the right type of
smaller scale and further down the supply chain, qualifications, so we increase that pipeline of talent.
ensuring they can finance the opportunities that
are available to them is high on their priority list. On Q: There seems to be a tremendous amount of
the defence side, there are clearly concerns about activity in STEM outreach – but the industry still
the overall level of available spend. The obvious seems to be struggling to attract talent. What
route when the domestic customer constrains are we doing wrong?
expenditure, is to look to export markets. We are in a
set of circumstances where all of the major markets PE: This holds true for an awful lot of organisations,
are suffering similar levels of constraint, therefore, not just aerospace, but also across both
export markets are increasingly competitive. We’re manufacturing and engineering. We’ve got lots
all pitching in, and fighting for, business in a limited of activity, all of it generally very good and well
number of areas, which has its own challenges. meaning but it is fragmented. It can mean we
Within the UK and with our own domestic customer, confuse as many as we inform. It’s a really tough
we are going through a significant change in reform job to try and tell people that somebody else
of defence acquisition. This includes the changes knows better. It would be nice if we could get a
outlined in the Defence Reform Act, devolved bit more coherence. From an ADS point of view
responsibilities to frontline commands, and as we this is typified around the work we do on Futures
come to the end of this Parliament, what the future Day. We collaborate and work with a range of key IF WE MAKE IT
strategy is going to be and how that is going to be partners and stakeholders to maximise the value of
MORE COMPLEX
played out through the next SDSR. the opportunity that Futures Day offers. As far as
we can, we are adding value to the activity rather TO OPERATE
Q: On skills — has the UK got enough than seeing it as something that is competing WITHIN THE
engineers and scientists to meet its needs with what other people are trying to do. For us, the LARGER UK
for the aerospace and defence industry going themes at the show are AGP and DGP (Defence
forward? Growth Partnership). We’ve got some really good
FOOTPRINT,
examples of a successful piece of activity around THEN THAT ISN’T
PE: I guess all the evidence suggests ‘not yet’. If you the MSc Bursary scheme. We want to use the GOING TO BE
look at the work that has been done by a variety show to demonstrate what the AGP has been able POSITIVE FOR US
of different organisations, including many learned to help create, in getting young people who have
bodies, and work from Government, they all indicate qualified, or passed their exams by the time of the AS AN INDUSTRY.
that, across all manufacturing and engineering show, as well as the next 200 who will be starting WE ARE
sectors, that we are not generating enough people in September. There’s a real challenge out there but CONCERNED
with the right skills and qualifications. So that is there are some good things that are happening. Our
ABOUT THE
a challenge for us all. If we look at Farnborough, aim is to get people to focus on perhaps a more
the work we are doing around Futures Day is very ‘limited’ range of activities and draw people into IMPLICATIONS
much focused on engaging people at an early point the successful activities that are being undertaken. OF SCOTTISH
about what the sector can offer, both in terms of Hopefully, we create a bigger impact through them. INDEPENDENCE
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com JULY 2014 17You can also read
