Military and Strategic Journal
Issued by the Directorate of Morale Guidance at the General Command of the Armed Forces
United Arab Emirates
Founded in August 1971

2018-02-22

UMEX, SimTEX 2018: Keeping Apace of Industry Innovation

Two trade fairs taking place on February 25-27, the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX 2018) and the Simulation Exhibition and Conference (SimTEX 2018), are to provide a gateway for manufacturers and suppliers building relationships with influential decision-makers within the Middle East and North Africa region. 

UMEX and SimTEX  2018 will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and is co-organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and the UAE Armed Forces General Headquarters (GHQ). Both exhibitions have witnessed strong international demand from specialized defence and security companies. 

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre offers 133,000 square metres of interconnected floor space to meet the requirements of a wide variety of events and exhibitions. 

The Higher Organising Committee of UMEX and SimTEX 2018 recently issued a statement reading: “As modern defence forces continue to adopt the latest unmanned systems amid the rapidly changing international security environment, UMEX and SimTEX 2018 assume special significance as a unique platform for showcasing the latest technologies and developments in this arena. Additionally, the associated events and conference will attract the high-level participation of many leading international and local experts to highlight the most important developments and successful practices in this vital sector.”

Group CEO of ADNEC, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, can also confirm that ADNEC’s highly talented national workforce and Abu Dhabi’s far-sighted economic vision have enabled the company to set a benchmark in leading and developing the exhibition sector. 

Al Dhaheri states that: “The strong interest in UMEX and SimTEX from key players in the global defence industry reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a preferred destination for specialised global exhibitions and conferences. The 25 per cent increase in exhibition space is testimony to ADNEC’s ability to drive the expansion of this vital industry through attracting new international events to the emirate and consolidating its existing event portfolio.”

Meanwhile, Saeed Al Mansouri, Director of IDEX and NAVDEX, is also clear that, “The success of ADNEC’s marketing strategy for UMEX and SimTEX 2018 reflects Abu Dhabi’s prominent status in the global business tourism arena. We have taken the lead in this vital sector and are no longer competing with the world. We now aim to establish new synergies and explore uncharted areas of specialisation.”

Expanded UMEX 2018
Building on the success of UMEX 2016, the Middle East region is ready to welcome a broader scope for this third edition, one reflecting the growth and investment in unmanned systems technology in the UAE and GCC countries. Exhibiting companies will be showcasing unmanned systems and technologies in numerous ways to engage the international /regional delegations and visitors in attendance.

UMEX and the Simulation & Training Exhibition and Conference are thus ideally positioned to provide a professional platform for manufacturers to meet operators and establish lucrative business relationships, with an overall aim to promote the defense, environmental, civil and humanitarian benefits of unmanned systems. As part of the Vision 2030 strategy, Abu Dhabi will be concentrating on developing its capabilities in the manufacturing and maintenance of civil and military aerospace equipment and parts, defense electronics and space apparatus.

UMEX 2018, the stand-alone show featuring an exhibition, conference and live flying demonstrations will provide an ideal platform to discuss the latest developments, trends and innovations in the UAS sector.

SimTEX Cooperation & Innovation
The Simulation & Training and Conference (SimTEX) is the MENA region’s only exhibition and conference dedicated to simulation and training; a place where industry professionals come together to share knowledge and the latest innovations. This year, SimTEX will again provide a platform for like-minded professionals to connect and seize the opportunity to explore future technologies.

SimTex aims to promote cooperation between the armed services, industry, academia and various government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programmes. The event will also aim to identify common training issues and the development of multiservice programmes. 

SimTex 2018 will also be addressing changes in the market environment to develop the ideal business platform for meeting the objectives of the UAE Armed Forces. Finally, the conference will bring together world-class speakers and the international defence community to discuss future developments, opportunities and challenges across the industry.

Building key partnerships
The central location of the UAE within the Middle East has attracted visitors from all the countries of the surrounding regions. These include representatives from the countries belonging respectively to the GCC (UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait Saudi Arabia), North Africa and the Asian Subcontinent.

UMEX and SIMTEX will organise high-calibre keynote sessions, prearranged networking events and a programme for senior visitors and international delegations to ensure that exhibitors meet the region’s government representatives and key decision-makers. GHQ will also host international delegations to ensure that the exhibitions attract a wealth of international decision-makers from within the defence and aerospace industry. 

The ambition is to attract not only Ministers, Senior Officers and Chiefs of Armies, but key governments and private sectors representatives from the Middle East & Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. The official delegations from each country will hence attend the show’s opening ceremony and tour the exhibition during their individually timetabled daily visits.

The conferences will be held on February 26, addressing various topics such as ‘Increasing Interoperability of Unmanned Systems across Multi-Domain Environments’; ‘Advancing Unmanned Systems Capabilities in Multi-Domain Environments’; ‘Identifying Future UAS Equipment and Training Requirements’; ‘Integrating Unmanned Systems into the Defense Mechanism’; ‘Optimising Simulation & Training Capabilities using Future Technologies’; and ‘Leveraging the Simulation Industry to Maximise Training Objectives’.

Showcasing innovative technologies
The venue will also host Live Flying Demonstrations that will give companies the opportunity to demonstrate the take-off and recovery procedure, as well as displaying sensor imagery on screens to a senior military and trade audience. The autonomous and special mission systems of today’s market demonstrate how innovative systems design and technological integration can further enhance national security, helping nations conduct high-level surveillance and exploration missions, including Search and Rescue.

ADASI
The event’s strategic partner, Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI), is the first UAE-based company to offer clients a comprehensive range of services to cover all types of autonomous systems. The firm offers holistic solutions, starting with joint analysis of end-users’ needs through formalisation of their requirements and to equipment selection and procurement. It also offers product or system design, development, testing and commissioning of localised subsystems and systems. Other engineering solutions are also proposed, as well as training of customer teams, operational support and systems maintenance. 

The scope of ADASI’s activity includes the acquisition, operation and maintenance of autonomous systems for air, land and sea use, as well as their modification and systems integration, including the addition of alternative payloads. Showcased at the event will be its capability to develop, operate and maintain aerostat systems, with a focus on aerostats from 13-23m in length in accordance with commercial, military and other government requirements.

Al Marakeb
UMEX and SIMTEX’s other exhibiting firms include the Emirati company, Al Marakeb, a key player in the efforts to consolidate the UAE’s position as a global maritime hub. The recent launch of Al Marakeb’s B7X, the world’s first dual-use USV serving as a line-production item available for both commercial and defense applications, further demonstrates the country’s commitment to become a leading proponent of unmanned technologies.

Al Seer Marine Technologies
Abu Dhabi’s Al Seer Marine Technologies will also display its Non-ITAR, Modular USV System. This innovative, modular USV System can either be designed and built to the customer’s exact specifications and requirements, or retrofitted to a pre-existing platform to integrate into a new unmanned operational asset.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
International exhibitors include General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics and a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator RPA series and the Lynx Multi-Mode Radar. GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with the integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight enabling situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offering pilot training & support services and developing meta-material antennas.

Insitu
Insitu, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, will also be present at UMEX and SIMTEX. Insitu creates customised unmanned aerial systems and information-processing software solutions that provide information for superior decision-making. Its ScanEagle, Integrator and Blackjack platforms deliver high-quality, combat-proven ISR for both land and maritime missions.

Leonardo
Italy’s Leonardo will showcase its integrated ISTAR solutions based on proprietary sensor technology. With field-proven tactical fixed wing and rotary wing UAS, optionally piloted helicopters and a complete range of sensors, the firm is at the forefront of autonomous flight technology. 

This year, Leonardo will put the spotlight on Hero, the state-of-the-art Short Range Tactical Rotary UAV integrated with the Leonardo Gabbiano – a compact, X-band radar for all-weather, sea, ground and air surveillance. The company will also display its targeting drone systems and ground controls for worldwide use, whose multi-payload configurations currently provide the most realistic threat simulators.

Naval Group
Another exhibitor is the European leader Naval Group that designs and builds submarines and surface combatants, develops associated systems and infrastructure and offers a full range of services to naval bases and shipyards. The group has also expanded its focus to encompass marine renewable energy technology.

Nexter
French company Nexter will mark its presence at UMEX with its subsidiary Nexter Robotics, providing high-performance innovative solutions for urban protection. With these versatile NERVA lightweight robots, Nexter can fulfil site surveillance and safeguarding missions thanks to their wide range of mission kits, including reconnaissance, detection-and-surveillance and NRBC threat detection. 

Nexter Training will also be present, a company handling all the design & development work and commercial operations relating to training packages using virtual reality technologies. Nexter Electronis will also showcase the FINDMP and a mission preparation tool composed of a Digital Sand Box and a Tactical Analysis facility, both designed to assist the manoeuver officer in command posts, command vehicles or during a military operation by displaying the terrain in 3D and determining key points.

Alpha Unmanned Systems
Alpha Unmanned Systems (AUS) are experts at integrating flight control systems and intelligent payloads. UMEX and SIMTEX will be an opportunity for the company to display the latest technology developments, notably highlighting the Alpha 800 with its 14 kg gasoline-powered helicopter able to fly for 2.5 hours of continuous flight with a 3 kg payload and a 30 km range. 

The Alpha 800 comes with a completely integrated Ground Control Station (GCS), communications control software and all available accessories. Utilizing a UAV platform that flies in fully autonomous and/or manual mode or both, the Alpha 800 does much the same work as a manned helicopter, but with far lower maintenance requirements and overall costs. Very light and easily maneuverable, the Alpha 800 is not affected by regulations that severely limit the use of heavier UAVs, while its lightweight frame enhances versatility in a wide range of missions.

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