Airbus to resume deliveries of A400M after crash

Source : http://timesofindia.com

PARIS: Airbus (AIR.PA) said on Friday it will resume deliveries of the A400M military transporter after all remaining flight restrictions imposed following a fatal crash last month were lifted by Spanish authorities. 

The A400M crashed in Spain, killing four out of six crew, after three of its engines froze due to a suspected software problem, according to details of investigations published earlier this month. 

Airbus said in a statement on Friday that while the production plan for this year was under review, it was aiming to deliver at least 13 of the planes this year "plus up to four more subject to flight-test results due this summer". 

The A400M has been taking part in flying displays at this week's Paris Airshow, taking place from June 15-21. 

China introduces advanced military aircraft at Paris Air Show

Source : http://www.wantchinatimes.com

China is introducing advanced military aircraft such as the FC-1 Xiaolong or JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter, the K-8 trainer, Z-9 helicopter and Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle to overseas markets during the 51st International Paris Air Show held between June 15-21, reports the state-run Global Times.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has successfully introduced Chinese-built aircraft to various nations. Contracts for more than 100 Thunder fighters, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, have been signed. The value of Chinese military drones, specifically the export-approved Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle — is expected to grow to US$2.3 billion by the year 2023. China has successfully introduced the K-8 to 12 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The Z-9 helicopter, developed based on the French-built Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, currently has 40 overseas owners. China's supersonic trainer, the L-15 designed by the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation, was sold to Zambia and Venezuela. AVIC stated that it has sold 56 MA60 commercial aircraft to 18 foreign customers. China even signed a deal with an unnamed US airline for 20 19-seat Y-12 aircraft, said the report.

Beijing is using international events such as the Paris Air Show to expand the overseas market for its military and civilian aircraft, said the report. A representative for the AVIC said that the country is looking forward to new markets while solidifying existing customer bases. With more advanced platforms such as the Thunder, Wing Loong and K-8, the AVIC hopes to establish its own supply chain of military aircraft to compete against the US and Russia, said the report.

TRS Demos Integrated NATO Defense System

Source : http://www.defensenews.com

Fresh on the heels of signing a $100 million contract to upgrade NATO's air and missile defense command, ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) displayed a new integrated computer platform at the Paris Air Show on Monday.

The setup, which runs NATO's standard Air Command and Control System (ACCS) on a PC hardware platform, gives sites in the European network twice the computing power while requiring five times less space. This advancement is just another way that TRS has overcome the technical hurdles of running all of the alliance's air command and control efforts together with the air and missile defense systems of various member countries, said Stephen duMont, TRS' vice president of NATO C4I.

When running at full capacity, the network will have 15 sites: four validation sites in Glons, Belgium; Uedem, Germany; the Lyon-Mt. Verdun air base in France; and Poggio Renatico, Italy; and 11 replication sites spread around member nations in Europe. An additional 10 sites could be added to cover population centers, duMont said. Given the geopolitical unrest in Eastern Europe, some of these might be on NATO's eastern border, he said.

"We're at a pivotal point in the program," duMont said. "Now is the time when the alliance needs a system."

The network will also integrate with NATO's missile defense command, linking with the alliance's Allied Air Command in Rammstein, Germany. So instead of separate programs for air defense and missile defense run by a variety of local militaries, the information will be available in real time across one big network.

"One of the things we're focused intensely on now is theater missile defense capability," duMont said during a briefing for reporters at the Paris Air Show.

While the system offers real-time interaction between combined air operations centers, air operations centers, RAP production center and sensor fusion post, it also gives observers with access to NATO's secure network the ability to see the same data via a web browser in real time. These remote viewers will be in "read only" mode initially, although two-way communications involving remote sites is under discussion.

Once countries have the chance to train its operators and integrate their national programs into the network, it could be operational by mid-2016, with the additional 10 sites added by the end of 2018, duMont said.

Russia To Receive New Fighters by Early 2017

Source : http://www.defensenews.com

PARIS — Russia will receive its first batch of fifth generation fighters in late 2016 or early 2017, the head of Russia's United Aircraft Corp. said Monday.

Sukhoi, which is part of UAC, has already delivered four prototypes and two test beds of the aircraft, known as the T-50, and will deliver another three flying prototypes this year, Yuri Slyusar, the head of UAC, said at the Paris Air Show.

"That means testing can be expanded and more faster," said a spokesman.

"There are no delays on this program," he added.

In a press conference outlining UAC's current activities, Slyusar said a full R&D collaboration contract would be signed this year with India for joint work on the version of the T-50 India is developing. Russian and Indian engineers are already exchanging visits.

UAC is also due to sign a similar contract this year with India on the development of a new 20-ton transport aircraft.

Slyusar said he believed that China would sign to acquire 24 Su-35 aircraft this year.

On the home front, Slyusar said UAC was also due to offer through-life support on its Su-34. "If that improves reliability then it could be extended to other aircraft," the spokesman said.

UAC continues to focus on transport aircraft, including the new IL-112 light transport aircraft, with two prototypes due for delivery in 2017, while three of 39 upgraded Il-76 aircraft ordered will be delivered to Russia this year. The new version features a glass cockpit and has been re-engined. UAC is also working on a life-extension plan for Russia's An-124 aircraft.

While 80 percent of UAC's $8 billion in revenue last year derived from defense programs, Slyusar said the group aimed to reduce that to 50 percent, thanks to a growth in civil programs. "But defense work will itself also grow," a spokesman said.

UAC produced 159 aircraft in 2014, up 40 percent on 2013.