Military and Strategic Journal
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Founded in August 1971

2022-09-01

Farnborough Airshow Success Signals Revival of Aerospace Sector

For decades, the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) has remained a prominent international platform for the aerospace and defence industry. This year, its role soared to even greater significance with FIA2022 serving as the first major event to reconnect stakeholders in the sector after the global disconnect caused by the pandemic.
 
From setting the agenda on aviation’s path to NetZero at the inaugural Aerospace Global Forum, establishing new partnerships at the Business Connections Exchange, and bringing the next generation of innovators together with industry at Pioneers of Tomorrow, FIA2022, which took place between July 18-22, turned out to be a welcome return for the business of aerospace.
 
Setting the course of the industry for decades to come, sustainability, net-zero, advanced air mobility and space were the leading topics for exhibitors and attendees at the event, highlighting the industry’s dedication to driving positive change and building a more efficient, greener future.
 
The Airshow was opened by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who welcomed global leaders from the aerospace and aviation industries to Farnborough, UK. Throughout the week, 17 ministers attended the Airshow alongside more than 30 Members of Parliament.
 
Global Partnerships 
A strong backlog of aircraft and engine orders, billion-dollar global partnerships and contracts across the aerospace, space and defence supply chains were revealed by globally recognised leaders such as Airbus, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, EasyJet and Embraer.
 
Airbus and Boeing announced deals between them worth US$4.5bn to the UK at current programmes and prices with 277 confirmed aircraft orders and a further 81 options.
 
The deals, discussions and conversations at the Airshow demonstrated that across the sectors, there is clear recovery following the global pandemic. 
Announcements by the Prime Minister and senior cabinet Ministers on the first days of the show included the Jet Zero Strategy, the Aerospace Growth Partnership Destination Net Zero Strategy and new Future Combat Air Strategy, accelerating the UK’s leading position within the global aerospace arena.
 
Opened with a virtual message from the Prince of Wales, the inaugural Aerospace Global Forum showcased the demand for collaboration within the industry and the wider ecosystem, providing a panoramic look at the disruptive and existential challenges of the 21st Century and actionable steps to a cleaner, more efficient generation of aerospace.
 
Pioneers of Tomorrow
The Pioneers of Tomorrow saw thousands of young people attend the show to learn more about the exciting and fascinating careers available in the UK aerospace, defence, security and space industries.
 
Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, noted: “Farnborough International Airshow has cemented its position as the place to have important conversations about the future of aerospace. I look forward to seeing the innovation and pioneering partnerships established at the event between exhibitors and leaders continue to flourish.”
 
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS Group, added: “It was fantastic to see increased and renewed confidence in the global aerospace industry as sustained recovery from the pandemic continues. Total deals on aircraft made across the show, including firm, options and commitments on aircraft, including business and regional jets, touched US$50.8 bn. There is a clear demand for newer, greener and fuel-efficient aircraft alongside increasing market recovery as the sector looks to accelerate progress towards net zero by 2050.”
 
Space Zone
The Space Zone at FIA2022, hosted in one of the brand-new sound stages, proved to be one of the most popular and successful parts of the show. Featuring exhibitors from a wide range of space-driven companies and Space Agencies from around the globe, the variety of ideas being shared and showcased was immense. The dedicated Space Theatre put on a comprehensive five-day schedule of pioneering and engaging content, welcoming inspirational speakers and key figures from the space industry.
 
SAF Move by Boeing
The FIA2022 drew aviation fans to the UK to explore and experience the newest innovations in aerospace. Boing put its aircraft on display for thousands of people to see, hear and touch.
 
The company’s fuel-efficient 737-10 and 777-9 flew to the show on a blend of sustainable aviation fuel; an all-electric vertical-takeoff-landing (eVTOL) air taxi was also debuted by the company with its joint venture Wisk Aero.
 
Boeing highlighted other autonomous capabilities — including the MQ-25 uncrewed aerial refueller and the Airpower Teaming System — and unveiled modelling tools that will help the aviation industry reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
 
Boeing became the founding member of the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), leading the way for the company to help develop and bring SAF to the market.
 
The EIC includes the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC), a first-of-its-kind facility in the UK that will help test and certify new sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and the Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC), which will contain pilot-scale production facilities suitable for investigating different methods of producing SAF.
 
SAF offers the most immediate and greatest potential to decarbonise aviation over the next 20 to 30 years. Sustainably produced jet fuel reduces CO2 emissions by as much as 80 per cent over the fuel’s lifecycle with the potential to reach 100 per cent in the future. Made from several feedstocks, SAF is certified for commercial use and can be blended by up to 50 per cent with traditional jet fuel without modifications to airplanes, engines or fuelling infrastructure. 
 
Boeing has committed to deliver its commercial airplanes capable and certified to fly on 100 per cent SAF by 2030.
 
“In order for the aviation industry to meet its net zero carbon emissions commitment by 2050 it will take all of us collaborating and investing in scientific research and testing,” said Brian Moran, Boeing’s vice president of Global Sustainability Policy and Partnerships. 
 
Airbus’ Clean Hydrogen Push
During FIA2022, Airbus joined the world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure investment fund, managed by Hy24 — a joint venture between Ardian, a world-leading private investment house and FiveTHydrogen, an investment manager specialising in clean hydrogen investments.
 
Hy24’s investment fund will provide financial capital to back credible, large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure projects world-wide. Airbus’ involvement assures its commitment to the scaling up of a global hydrogen economy, a prerequisite for the successful entry-into-service of its zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.
 
“Since 2020, Airbus has partnered with numerous airlines, airports, energy providers and industry partners to develop a stepped approach to global hydrogen availability,” said Karine Guenan, VP ZEROe Ecosystem, Airbus. “Joining a fund of this magnitude demonstrates Airbus’ continuously active role in infrastructure investments for the production, storage and distribution of clean hydrogen worldwide.” 
 
“We are delighted that Airbus has joined the fund along with other key industrial and financial investors,” remarked Pierre-Etienne Franc, the CEO of Hy24. “Hy24 is well-positioned to identify and accelerate the development of clean-hydrogen infrastructure companies to meet today’s needs and ensure tomorrow’s transportation and logistics.” 
 
LAAC Helicopter Order
London’s Air Ambulance Charity (LAAC) – the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) for the UK’s capital — ordered two Airbus H135 helicopters for the renewal of its fleet under a contract signed at the Farnborough International Airshow.
 
Airbus Helicopters UK Head of Civil Business Gary Clark stated: “It’s nearly 35 years since we provided LAAC’s first ever helicopter — a Dauphin — and it will be satisfying to once again see them flying our helicopters.”
 
The two aircraft will be delivered in 2024 and will operate primarily from LAAC’s helipad base at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, which is one of the highest in Europe. LAAC’s advanced trauma team treated 1,713 patients in 2021.
 
Charles Newitt, LAAC Deputy CEO, said: “We are impressed with the medical capability that we can pack into the H135. The issue of ground safety is very important to us as we frequently have to operate into physically constrained emergency locations with a constant risk of the public being present. The compact size of the H135 plus its Fenestron tail rotor and high ground clearance are attractive features for us.”
 
The H135 is the market leader in emergency medical services (EMS) worldwide and can be fitted with a wide range of EMS configurations, providing direct access and ample room for patient care. With the lowest operating and maintenance costs in its class, the proven H135 family of aircraft incorporates Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite and has recently received an alternate gross weight increase for an additional 265lbs (120kg) of useful load.
 
Airbus Helicopters provides some 55 per cent of the 2,600 EMS helicopters flying in the world today and two-thirds of the air ambulance fleet in the UK.
 
Reality7e Simulator
During the event, L3Harris Technologies was selected by Airbus to supply an A320-family full flight simulator for its Toulouse Training Center.
 
“L3Harris’ collaboration with Airbus serves as a milestone in our pilot training commitment to customers,” said Alan Crawford, President, L3Harris Commercial Aviation. “The Reality7e simulator will be the most sophisticated high-fidelity L3Harris training device for Airbus platforms, providing airlines ease and flexibility to train their pilots.”
 
The Reality7e FFS provides a suite of maintenance and support utilities, including a secure customer portal that details software versions for future upgrades and enhancements, reducing the airline’s lifetime ownership costs.
 
Embraer-BAE Systems’ MoUs
Embraer and BAE Systems announced the signing of two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at the Airshow.
 
The first MoU aims to establish a strategic partnership between BAE Systems and Embraer to collaborate in markets in which BAE Systems has a significant presence, including selected markets in the Middle East, for example, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The second MoU confirms intent to create a joint venture to develop a defence variant of Eve’s electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. 
 
The C-390 Millennium and its air-to-air refuelling configuration, the KC-390, are the new generation of multi-role military transport aircraft already delivering unrivalled mobility and cargo capacity, rapid re-configurability, high availability, improved comfort and flight safety, as well as reduced operational costs through its life cycle — all in a single platform.
 
For the eVTOL collaboration, the companies intend to create a joint venture that will bring together the complementary skills of Embraer and BAE Systems to pursue the potential development of a defence variant, with Eve being the platform provider.
 
ATR Secures Orders
Aircraft manufacturer ATR, reaffirmed its leadership in the regional aviation market with the signing of new deals and Global Maintenance Agreements, and in the future, with its updated 20-year market forecast.
 
ATR secured new orders from Japan’s ORC and Gabon’s Afrijet, respectively selecting the ATR 42-600 and the ATR 72-600 as the lowest CO2 emission and economical regional aircraft on the market. 
 
ATR continues to enlarge its footprint in Japan as Feel Air is looking to operate a fleet of up to 36 ATR aircraft, and the manufacturer is also getting support from the leasing community, as newly formed lessor Abelo is to acquire 20 aircraft, including 10 ATR 42-600S – the Short Take-Off and Landing version.
 
ATR’s new 20-year global market forecast, disclosed at the show, demonstrates that essential connectivity benefits not only emerging markets but also mature economies. Communities across the globe will always need quick and affordable access to healthcare, education and fresh produce.
 
Fabrice Vautier, ATR Senior Vice-President Commercial, commented: “In mature markets, the acute awareness of the environmental challenge is the main driver for change across the entire aviation ecosystem. While in Asia Pacific, Latin America, or Africa, for instance, the challenge is to provide a low-fare alternative to time-consuming mobility options. Profitability for the operators and comfort for the passengers are paramount, and the ATR-600 family is making a difference, offering sustainability, comfort and reliability. This is why our forecast predicts a total market of close to 2,500 aircraft over the next 20 years.”
 
What’s Next
The Farnborough International Airshow is hosted every two years and the next show is slated for 22-26 July, 2024.
There are also plenty of events taking place before the 2024 event including Space-Comm this month, which welcomes the leading space companies to Farnborough to connect and discuss the future commercialisation of the space industry.
 
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