The 50th Paris Air Show Manages a Few Surprises for the Defence Industry

By FrostSullivan on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

The 50th Paris Air Show this year offered some anniversary surprises, however more or less expected, starting with the large Russian defence industry exposure.

While almost hiding out in the static display area, the newly upgraded Russian jet fighter Sukhoi Su-35s stole the thunder several times from other aircraft in the skies. Its high manoeuvrability and extreme acrobatics monopolized lots of conversations. What was less expected were the brand new jet trainer Yak-130 and quasi silent Ka-52 alligator’s equally powerful demonstrations, highlighting their agility and handling abilities. The Russian Aerospace and Defence industry has been working hard to change its post-cold war image of low-tech and fragmented production and support base.

Conversely, European military aircraft took the sky with no real variants from what was originally expected; the Airbus A400M was the biggest highlight. However, the second big surprise of the show was the absence of American aircraft in the sky – even the Blackhawk S-70i was Polish. The American defence industry approach to the Paris Air Show this year has been quite interesting, placing legacy as the cornerstone of their presence, rather than innovation. This time there were no V22s or Super Hornets. If Farnborough was American last year, the sky above Le Bourget was Russian this year.

Why this sudden change in the approach of Americans? Already stretched, complicated, too political, the European defence market is rife with opportunities for American OEMs without even having to promote or showcase their products. Europe will buy American weapon systems to bridge its capability gaps; the unmanned systems being the best illustration.

In view of the economic constraints, American OEMs prefer investing towards a presence in Middle East and Asia-Pacific tradeshows, as competition is much higher in those regions. In Paris, the US industry was keener this year to increase its market share across the much more buoyant commercial aviation segment. The Airbus-Boeing match, again neck and neck with recent orders, is part of tradeshow tradition and this 50th Air Show was no different. A similar trend has also been verified across the helicopter markets; the Anglo-Italian AgustaWestland has received new commercial orders against its main competitors, confirming that 2013 will be the year of AW139.

Despite the absence of big military aircraft contracts, the Paris Air Show offered one last interesting surprise in the military support in-service segment. Marginal till 10 years ago and almost restricted to North America outsourcing of military aircraft support to the industry has become a globally significant market for Tier 1 and Tier 2 OEMs.

Economic downturn and personnel reduction, especially in Europe, are increasingly making this segment more credible and attractive for the traditionally reluctant MoDs. The new Eurocopter solution named E-HOTS (Eurocopter Helicopter On Theatre Services) or the OEM Defence Service contract to maintain NH90s for 5 years, and the new Sikorsky-Boeing Joint Venture for support and logistics in Saudi Arabia are further steps in this direction.

With these solutions, the Western military OEMs targeted aim is not only to reduce platform lifecycle costs burden, but more specifically to make the acquisition price of new platforms more accessible and to attract hesitating end-users within the next few years.

If this strategy is successful for the NH90, then Farnborough 2014 could be really promising for European defence consortiums.

Alix Lebounlanger is a Research Analyst for Aerospace, Defence & Security Sector, at Frost & Sullivan.

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Paris Air Show Photo Report – Unmanned Systems

Piaggio Aero Industries unveiled at the 2013 Paris Air Show today, the Piaggio Aero P.1HH “HammerHead”- Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The P.1HH HammerHead technological demonstrator was designed and built in less than one year and it has already successfully completed low speed taxi tests.

All photos: Noam Eshel, defense-Update

nEUROn UCAV, sheltered from the pouring rain in its styled protective bubble at the 50th Paris Air Show. Photo: Dassault

Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 MALE drone was displayed here carrying a number of payloads, including the Skyfix SIGINT pod, the AMPS long-range VISINT payload and Gabbiano maritime search radar from Selex ES (below).

The Gabbiano maritime search radar from Selex ES was displayed with Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900, where it is used with the Maritime hermes 900 system.

A surveillance UAS designed by SI Schweitzer for a variety of industrial, geographical and infrastructure monitoring missions.

The EBEE Sensfly micro-drone developed byParrot, is designed to collect aerial photography of 1-10km2 in a single flight, at down to 5cm precision. eBee has a flight time of up to 45 minutes, allowing to cover such areas in a single flight.

ThunderB from Israel’s Bluebird Aero Systems can stay on a mission for 24 hours, carrying the Controp S-STAMP payload.

Falco EVO (Evolution) from Selex ES is aimed at expanding the spectrum of tactical missions the Falco unmanned air system can carry out.

Eight AR.Drone quadcopter robots performing an impressive ‘robodance’ show at the Paris Airshow

The new ELK3075 HFDF sensor from IAI Elta.

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Paris Airshow Review – Photo Report

Sukhou Su-35C streaking through the Paris sky on its international debut

All photos: Noam Eshel, defense-Update

The Russian Su-35S, making its international debut here at the Paris Airshow, stole the show with breathtaking aerobatic performance that would compete with the best stunt pilots flying aerobatic planes.

The Russian fighter, equipped with 3D thrust vectored nozzles, and a new integrated flight and propulsion system showed here some maneuvers that no other fighter can dare do. The famous ‘Cobra’ dynamic deceleration is now enhanced with low-airspeed turn, and flat spins, inverted and upright, under full control.

Why the Su-35S need these maneuvers, that would bleed airspeed dramatically to make the aircraft a ‘sitting duck’ in air combat? According to Bill Sweetman, Editor of Aviation Week DTE, the use of unpredictable flight paths could challenge guidance algorithms of any missile guidance system, and rapid nose pointing can permit a short range missile launch with greater kill probability. On the other hand, supporters of 5th generation stealth fighters would argue that the close-in dogfight belong to the past, and in modern and future wars, air combat engagements will be won from standoff positions, using network-centric battle planning by stealth fighters that attack without being detected.

Yakovlev Yak-130 from Irkut, Russi

Another new sight here was the Yakovlev Yak-130 from Irkut, Russia. This advanced trainer was selected to become the future trainer of the Russian Air Force, initial deliveries have already been made by Irkut. Its remote cousin M346 fom Alenia will also become the trainer of choice for the Italian, Israeli and Singapore air forces.

Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter

Alenia also displayed here the MC-27J transport fitted as a flying gunship. The aircraft is equipped with a weapons kit integrated by ATK including multispectral sensor suite, synthetic aperture radar and moving ground target indicator (SAR/GMTI), palletized precision launched from he rear ramp and side-firing 40mm automatic cannon.

Flying low and slow, these gunships would require effective protection against heat seeking man-portable anti-aircraft air defense missiles (MANPADS), such systems were on display by Selex ES and Elbit Systems.

In the unmanned systems domain, the Paris Airshow 2013 provided an insight to a number of promising systems, many of them from Israel, and the USA. The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) recently ordered by France was displayed here. Among the Israeli drones on display were two of the proven Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, the IAI Heron I, in service with the air forces of France and Germany, and the Hermes 900 from Elbit Systems, which, since it debut in 2009 has been selected by five international customers.

Another drone unveiled here was the ThunderB from BlueBird Aero Systems, carrying the multi-sensor payload S-STAMP, on mission up to 24 hours in endurance.

Among the Counter Insurgency (COIN) aircraft designed for Irregular warfare, several companies displayed aircraft, Embraer showing he Brazilian A-29 Super Tucano, Hawker Beechcraft showing the AT-6, and Archangel displaying the Air Tractor loaded with different types of air/ground weapons.

ThunderB from BlueBird Aero Systems, carrying the multi-sensor payload S-STAMP, on mission up to 24 hours in endurance

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Sagem at the 2013 Paris Air Show

By Sagem on Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

This year marks the 50th Paris Air Show, and Sagem (Safran) is showcasing its globally recognized expertise in drone systems, avionics and navigation equipment, optronics systems and guided weapons.

Sagem will focus on four main areas in its exhibition space on the Safran stand: safety-critical electronics, flight safety and management services, guidance systems, and aero-surveillance. The following products and services of Sagem will be on display:

Fadec 4.
The fourth generation of full authority digital engine controls, Sagem’s Fadec 4 unit is being shown for the first time at this year’s air show. It has been chosen for the CFM International LEAP (JV between Snecma and GE), which will power the A320neo, Comac C919 and Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle jetliners, and the GE Passport 20 intended for the Global Express 7000 et 8000 business jets. This new engine control unit features a distributed architecture that optimizes its integration in the nacelle. In addition to fuel control, it adds engine vibration detection and health monitoring functions. The Fadec 4 is being developed by Sagem in conjunction with BAE Systems through their Fadec International joint venture, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Cassiopée expands services to include Flight Ops Efficiency.
Sagem’s “constellation” of flight safety and management service, Cassiopée, is being enriched in 2013 to address the evolving needs of airlines and business aircraft and helicopter operators. Sagem is now offering a new Web portal for technical questions, an iPad application for use in cabins and maintenance areas, and the Flight Ops Efficiency service, which entails a solution to reduce operating costs, especially for fuel. Cassiopée will be showcased in a dynamic demonstration on the Safran stand.

AASM Hammer weapon system and missile guidance.
Sagem will be showcasing its entire family of AASM Hammer modular air-to-ground weapons, including the latest laser terminal guidance model, the SBU-54 Hammer, deployed by the French air force since May 2013. All three versions of the AASM are on display at the Safran stand: Inertial-GPS, Inertial/GPS/infrared, Inertial/GPS/laser). They are also shown as weapon systems on the Dassault Aviation stand, and at the French Ministry of Defense pavilion for the Rafale multirole fighter. Sagem is the prime contractor for the AASM Hammer weapon system, and is also developing guidance and navigation systems for tomorrow’s tactical missiles.

Patroller drone system in multi-sensor configuration.
A medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone in the 1 ton class, the Patroller was designed for surveillance, intelligence, security and military support missions. It is based on an EASA-certified Stemme S15 aircraft, and offers endurance exceeding 20 hours. Flight tests in 2012 and 2013 assessed its ability to deploy multi-sensor payloads, controlled from a ground control center that is interoperable with NATO standard command systems.

Sagem will be showing the full range of its avionics and optronics systems and equipment on the Safran stand, Hall 2A (n°A232). The Patroller drone and its ground segment are presented in a multi-sensor, multi-mission configuration in the static exhibition area (B59).

Sagem, a high-tech company of Safran, holds world or European leadership positions in optronics, avionics, electronics and safety-critical software for both civil and military markets. Sagem is the No. 1 company in Europe and No. 3 worldwide for inertial navigation systems (INS) used in air, land and naval applications. It is also the world leader in helicopter flight controls and the European leader in optronics and tactical UAV systems. Sagem and its subsidiaries employ 7,500 people in Europe, Southeast Asia and North America.

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Cassidian Presents UAV Projects and Innovative Cyber Protection at Paris Air Show

By Cassidian on Monday, June 17th, 2013

Cassidian is proud to participate at the 50th edition of the Paris International Air Show held at Le Bourget Exhibition Center between the 17th and the 23rd June 2013. Cassidian has evolved dramatically to deliver innovation wherever it matters: in its technologies, its range of expertise and business approach. At the occasion of Paris Airshow 2013, Cassidian demonstrates its innovation breakthroughs, new programs and projects.

CATS — Operating a fleet of about 150 aircraft and logging a total of nearly 45,000 flight hours per year, Cassidian Aviation Training Services (CATS) is the trusted partner of the French Army on the Cognac-based Air Force Pilot School since 2006.

Supporting practically all pilot training in the French Armed Forces, this unit of Cassidian in France operates over several French air bases such as Cognac, (Southwestern France) Avord (Central France, near Bourges), Salon-de-Provence (Southeastern France), Lanveoc-Poulmic and Lann-Bihoué (Brittany).

In Salon-de-Provence, CATS is in charge of the provision and maintenance of aircraft destined to the training of officer cadets and combat systems officers.

In Lanvéoc-Poulmic, the contract includes in-flight selection of trainee pilots by the French Naval Aviation service. In Avord and Lann-Bihoué, CATS supports the French Navy’s Xingu aircraft fleet (41 aircraft).

In Cognac, CATS provides fleets of aircraft and flight training systems for daily use at the Air Force pilot school, as well as operational maintenance.

Cassidian’s Air Services business line now ranks among the leading operators in France, with a global fleet second only to Air France.

TANAN 300
Cassidian presents its TANAN 300 new-generation compact VTOL Tactical UAS (Vertical Take-Off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial System) for maritime and land missions. Designed in close collaboration with potential customers in order to match their specific requirements, TANAN 300 is a real ‘eye in the sky’ thanks to a full HD imagery chain and to its main payload which allows an easy switch between EO/IR (Electro-Optical and Infra-Red) high-definition cameras.

A very versatile system, TANAN 300 is designed to be flexible and also includes very high-capability payloads, such as an AIS (Automatic Identification System), an IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system, a maritime radar, an electronic surveillance system and a direction finder, to suit all needs.

It is intended to carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions for armies and navies, as well as civilian assignments. It can endure missions lasting over eight hours while providing full HD colour video in real time at maximum range.

Developed to reliably and consistently fulfil operational requirements, the TANAN 300 is a high-performance tactical UAS, integrating a powerful, safe and highly reliable genuine diesel engine. Boasting open, modular architecture and the latest generation of proven equipment, the TANAN 300 is capable of completing missions with ranges of up to 100 nm/180 km and a 50 kg payload.

Packed inside a shelter or a vessel, the TANAN 300 overall system is manageable by one operator and can be deployed in unprepared areas and/or at sea. The TANAN 300 is specifically equipped for operating at temperatures of between -20°C and +50°C and in challenging weather conditions.

The ground control system is set up to reduce the operator workload to a minimum thanks to a user-friendly human-machine interface that displays all necessary information on one straightforward double screen. Moreover, information can be exported via video transmission to a remote command and control station.

MALE UAV
For the last ten years, Cassidian has deployed very substantial development efforts in order to acquire an independent industrial and technological capacity in Europe in the field of UAVs, capable of rivalling the world’s major players, namely the United States and Israel. Today, Cassidian is Europe’s leading UAV manufacturer, delivering a complete range of tailor-made solutions to both military and civil customers.

Fulfilling the operational requirements of next decades and providing complete operational sovereignty, the Cassidian proposal for a Future European medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft system is now offered to European governments, namely Germany and France, with a wide open scope to industrial collaboration within Europe.

SAGITTA
Cassidian’s leading role in driving the development of unmanned flight technologies is underlined by the technology demonstrator “Sagitta” which is also on display. “Sagitta” represents an innovative airframe concept which is used by Cassidian and collaborating industry and university partners to develop intelligent solutions in core areas such as stealth UAS, autonomous flight and data transmission.

CYBER SECURITY
In a complex and unstable world, Cassidian customers need a trustful partner, ready to provide innovative solutions to face today’s Security threats.

Cyber attacks today affect all sectors, especially those with high added value, including aeronautics. Be it airports, manufacturers or operators, all are threatened by the risk of intrusion into their systems by malware and viruses which can modify the data transmitted, steal sensitive and confidential data and jeopardise the health of the organisation being targeted.

Given that the victims of these attacks need trusted partners with the expertise to implement a complete reaction plan, Cassidian CyberSecurity has developed a comprehensive approach.

Combining high-level human expertise with completely new processes and tools to effectively combat the attacks, this approach comprises seven steps ranging from awareness raising to post-recovery remote-monitoring.

On the Touch Table, Cassidian CyberSecurity presents all of these tools, in particular Cymerius, a key component of real-time supervision of the most sensitive networks, providing the operators with a detailed reaction plan.

On 29 April last, Cassidian CyberSecurity announced the acquisition of Arkoon Network Security, one of the key players in network security, information systems protection and data confidentiality. Six months after the acquisition of Netasq, this buyout is an additional strategic step in the growth of Cassidian CyberSecurity, confirming its aim of developing a European industrial base of cyber security products and solutions.

MVNO
Cassidian will be presenting together with Astrium Services its Secure MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) solution. The Secure MVNO complements existing public safety radio networks by using commercial broadband mobile networks. It ensures maximum coverage as it uses several choices of network, not just one. In combination with Astrium Services’ solutions, Cassidian is able to provide resilient satellite connections and manage access to commercial networks to further complement data services. And since this approach does not rely on a single network, it also optimises availability. This is a clear path to broadband data services of the future. Instead of each organisation making a separate deal with a mobile operator, the PMR (Professional Mobile Radio) operator can extend its services to Secure MVNO, organise a global deal with commercial operators and offer broadband capacity to its subscribers.

DEMONSTRATIONS & DISPLAYS

Several exhibits, demonstrations and static displays will be visible at the EADS Pavilion, as well as at the EADS stand located in hall 2A, including mock-ups of the Cassidian UAS family such as the TANAN 300, the Tracker mini UAS and a scale model of the Sagitta concept.

A SurveyCopter Copter4 VTOL will operate demonstration flights in Southeastern France with live relays to the Air Show EADS pavilion from where it will actually be controlled and flown. Similarly, a Cassidian Eagle Vision commercial satellite imagery downlink ground system will be deployed in the EADS pavilion, providing live satellite images.

A Cassidian Aviation Training Services (CATS) Cirrus SR 20 training aircraft will be offered on static display as well as a Harfang French Air Force MALE UAV (Medium Altitude Long Endurance). Demonstrations of Cassidian’s Touchlab including virtual reality shows of the SimFac Training Simulation system (French Air Force Training) will be held at the EADS Pavilion.

Cassidian, the defence division of EADS, is a worldwide leader in defence and security solutions. The company delivers advanced defence systems along the whole action chain from sensors through command & control systems to combat aircraft and unmanned air systems. In the area of security, Cassidian provides customers worldwide with border surveillance systems, cyber security solutions and secure communications. In 2012, Cassidian – with around 23,000 employees – achieved revenues of € 5.7 billion.

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Paris Air Show 2013 – A Military Preview (Part I: Aircraft & Helicopters)

Su-35 practicing for the aerial display at the paris Air Show. The Test pilot Sergey Bogdan, honored as ‘Hero of Russia’. Photo: Sukhoi

The 50th Paris Airshow presents a weeklong celebration for aviation enthusiasts. As the most important annual aerospcace business event, it attracts thousands of companies and trade visitors. On the military side, the airshow takes a lower key, reflecting reduced spending in Europe and the United States. Nevertheless, the Russian impact is growing, demonstrating Moscow’s claim for a leading position in world defense exports.

The Su-35 is making its international debut here, along with Yak-130 trainer, which will also be displayed here in flight. At the airshow the Yak-130 will have the opportunity to meet its sibling Italian M346 Master from Italy. However, this year the Master participation will be limited to the static display.

Another ‘new’ aircraft making the international debut is the Antonov AN-70 from the Ukraine. This transport plane, powered by four turboprop engine was first flown in 1994. The lead customer was the Russian Air Force, which considered this platform as a successof for the An-12 (Cub). However, after the prototype crashed on its fourth flight, the Russians lost interest although the Ukrainian designer built a second prototype about two years later. This prototype will be flying to Paris and at the airshow this year, as Ukraine hopes it will generate new interest among countries considering modernizing their military transports but lacking the budgets for C-130J (absent this year from the show) or A-400M (which will also be flying here). However, competition from Brazil (KC-390), Spain (C-295) and Italy C-27J (both will be on static display in Paris) is likely to pose significant challenge to the Russian plane.

The Su-35S fighter was first introduced in public at the MAKS airshow in Russia in 2009. Training flights of the Su-35S are taking place these days ner Moscow, at the Zhukovsky airfield at the M.M.Gromov Flight Research Institute. Test pilot Sergey Bogdan, honored as ‘Hero of Russia’ works on two sets of aerobatics – for normal and complex weather conditions. The Manoeuvres will include spatial barrels, somersaults, a flat spin, and, of course, the famous “Pugachev’s Cobra”, the most famous stunt introduced by MiG-29 and Su-27 pilots in the 1990s. Su-35S is a deeply modernized super-maneuverable multirole fighter of the “4 + +” generation. According to the manufacturer, the Su-35 offers improved flight characteristics and better avionics, compared with existing fighters equipped with older analog systems. Sukhoi say the Su-35 characteristics exceed European and US made tactical all fighters like Rafale (taking part in the daily flying display at Paris), Gripen and Typhoon (both shown at the static area), F-15, F-16 and F-18 (all absent this year from Paris). They also claim the Su-35S can successfully counter the 5th generation fighters – F-35 and F-22A (both absent as well), as it is faster, having higher thrust and range/endurance.

Among the military helicopters participating in the airshow this year are the Eurocopter EC665 Tigre ALAT in French Army service, participating in the daily flight display along with NH Industries NH90. Two additional NH90s will be on the static line – one of them, the ‘Caiman’ NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) in French Army service, one of the first batch delivered recently to the French forces. Bell will be one of few US companies from the US, bringing aircraft to the show. The company will display the new military armed scout model, Bell 407GT on the static display. Two military helicopters from AgustaWestland include the AW149 and 159 models. Arriving from Russia is the KA-52 ‘Alligator’ gunship, based on the unique coaxial rotor propulsion system. The Alligator is not new, the first prototype flew in 1982 and the current version has made its debut in 1987. Why are the Russians sending this gunship on this long and expensive quest? The Russians intend to equip their new Mistral Class helicopter carriers with eight of these helicopter, configured in the KA-52K navalasied version. Eventually the Russian Naval Aviation is planning to buy 40 such helicopters. The Alligator will also participate in the flying display.

Su-35 on the runway at Zhukovsky airfield where the new fighter is undergoing flight testing at the M.M.Gromov Flight Research Institute and where it is practicing for the airshow. Photo: Sukhoi

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