FARNBOROUGH 2022 AIR SHOW PREVIEW
FARNBOROUGH 2022 PREVIEW
The biennial Farnborough International Air Show 2022 is being held from 18th to 22nd July 2022 at the Farnborough Aerospace Centre Hampshire Airfield in UK, with participation from most of the major Commercial and Defence Aerospace & Aviation manufacturers.
FARNBOROUGH 2022 AIR SHOW PREVIEW
The Farnborough International Air Show 2022 will be held from 18th to 22nd July 2022 at the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in UK, with participation from most of the major Commercial and Defence Aerospace & Aviation manufacturers.
The biennial Farnborough International Air Show 2022 is being held from 18th to 22nd July 2022 at the Farnborough Aerospace Centre Hampshire Airfield in UK, with participation from most of the major Commercial and Defence Aerospace & Aviation manufacturers including Airbus Group, Airbus Defence & Space, Airbus Helicopters, BAE Systems, Bell Helicopters, Boeing, Bombardier, CAE, Cobham, Collins Aerospace, Chemring, Dassault Aviation, Elbit Systems, Embraer, Eurofighter, Eurojet, GE Aviation, GKN Aerospace, General Dynamics Gulfstream, HAL, IAI, Kongsberg, L3Harris, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, MTU, Northrop Grumman, Pilatus, Pratt & Whitney, Rafael, Raytheon Technologies, Rolls-Royce, Ruag, Saab, Safran Group, Sikorsky, TeledyneFlir, Terma, Textron Aviation, Textron Systems, Thales, United Technologies Corporation (UTC), etc. Farnborough 2022 expects about 1,200 Exhibitors from above 40 Countries to participate, with 29 International Country Pavilions and visitors from about 100 countries.
The Farnborough International Air Show 2022, the biennial Aerospace Showcase in UK for the world of Aviation takes place from 18th to 22nd July 2022, repeating the success of Air Shows reaching new markets and territories. This was underpinned last time by an increase in international participation with 29 Country Pavilions, with a total of above 1,500 exhibitors from 52 Countries participating in 2018. This might reduce to about 1,200 Exhibitors from above 40 Countries this time. Other features for 2022 include the Civil and Commercial Delegations programmes with representative groups from key and emerging markets. The Military Delegations programme saw a high level presence from 66 countries last time.
Farnborough International Air Show 2022 will host leading innovators from the Aerospace, Aviation and Defence Industries and beyond. In this unprecedented opportunity to reconnect, businesses from across the globe will be coming together to embark on ground-breaking Collaborations and Partnerships, showcasing the pinnacle of technologies that are revolutionising Aerospace, the exhibition spaces provide businesses with an unrivalled global platform.
Farnborough International Shows Confidence in Future Global Trade
The 2018 Farnborough International Air Show had seen US$ 192 Billion in deals, up by US$ 67.5 Billion on the 2016 Air Show. More than 1,400 Commercial Aircraft were ordered at that show valued at US$ 154 Billion. More than 1,432 Aero-Engines were ordered worth US$ 21.96 Billion. Let’s see how successful the Farnborough 2022 will be? Going into the last show, the industry backlog was at a record high, in excess of 14,000 Aircraft on the books then. The major deals announced had demonstrated how confident the Aerospace Industry was then.
The show brings the Global Aerospace World together for an intense but important week. Manufacturers, Airlines, financiers, Military and Government representatives are all seen at Farnborough. The Farnborough International Air Show still continues to be at the epicentre of the Aerospace community. The last show had attracted its most global attendance ever with around 100 countries visitors in attendance and record Chinese presence. There was also a rise in trade visitors of nearly ten percent compared to previous years, more than 80,000 visitors passed through the gates in 2018. The Delegations Programme saw major growth up by 20 percent with a total of 156 Civil and Military Delegations; Military Delegations saw a rise of 30 percent to 133. The Airline customers asserted themselves with a 163 percent increase in attendance then.
The Farnborough International Air Show connects an industry worth US$ 350 Billion. From the orders announced through to presence of Global Industry Leaders and Government representatives from around the world, it is the preeminent showcase for businesses of all size. The biggest event of this size hosted in the UK, still expects good international attendance despite the pandemic.
The most globally-attended event also had an unprecedented number of Military and Civil Commercial Delegations. As the home of pioneering spirit, the Farnborough International Air Show has always sought to bring innovation to the forefront. Show features include:
FINN Sessions: a Conference Programme with world-class Speakers covering numerous Aerospace & Aviation related topics; an exhibition focussed on the Fourth Industrial Revolution; Meet the Buyer: a strategic opportunity to gain entry into Supply Chains, which last time saw 831 meetings with 201 companies participating.
Farnborough International is part of ADS, the trade organisation advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space Industries. This pioneering team of industry experts delivers world-class, innovative events in a competitive global market.
International Participation
The Farnborough International Air Show is widely recognised for its role in connecting the worldwide Aerospace market. It serves as a backdrop for the announcement of multi-billion dollar deals, and for the launch of major innovations. 29 International Pavilions are expected to participate. Countries including Mexico, Turkey and the U.S. vying for business, alongside a significant European presence from Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The last show had the largest presence yet from China, with 70 percent growth in participatio. Meanwhile, Japan had increased its presence with a second Pavilion, joining Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia, and underpinning the Air Show’s role as a key gateway into the lucrative Asian Aerospace market. The number of international exhibitors compared with domestic exceeded the past ratio of 71 to 29 percent, ranking the Farnborough Air Show as the most international of all major European Air Shows.
With a decent International Participation, with about 29 Nations hosting Pavilions at the show from Europe, the US, Canada, South America, Asia and the Far East. Chinese participation is expected to be the largest with a dedicated Chinese Pavilion. Strong international attendance with the Delegations Programmes. The Civil and Commercial programme will also have representative groups from the UK, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. The Military Delegations programme is expected to progress well with the key and emerging markets around the globe attending. High level Military Delegation presence will be from above 60 countries. In addition, there is coordination with all FIA 2022 Exhibitors regarding engagements with the RAF and the UK MoD at all levels.
Foreign participation at the Farnborough International Air Show was claimed to be stronger last time with new National Pavilions, a strong US participation and returning National Pavilions from all four corners of the globe - Europe, the US, Canada, South America, Asia and the Far East. With Korean and Japanese Pavilions, the Show also welcomes again a Chinese Pavilion providing companies such as AVIC, COMAC, Aviage Systems and other Chinese Supply Chain companies the opportunity to promote China’s growing Aerospace Industry.
The show will be attended by all the top U.S. Defence contractors, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, GA-ASI, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies (RTX), now incorporating Pratt & whitney & Collins Aerospace, and General Dynamics, with about 300 U.S. companies generally exhibiting at Farnborough, more than 250 of them were in the new USA Partnership Pavilion last time, which covered a total of 4,000 sqm in Halls 2, 3 & 4. Pavilion exhibitors represented 30 States, including 20 State Pavilions.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the event to watch the legendary Flying Display and get up close to a huge variety of aircraft, from Fast Jets to Jumbos. Innovation is a major theme for the feature-packed show, offering even more business opportunities for exhibitors and visitors. Alongside its existing features such as the Space Zone, Innovation Zone and Meet-the-Buyer Programme, Farnborough has an area dedicated to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Entitled Aerospace 4.0.
Other major features of the show are the FINN Sessions and the Live Product Demo Area. Located in two Theatres right at the heart of the show, the FINN Sessions feature Keynote Addresses and Panel Discussions covering some of the major issues affecting the Global Aerospace Industry today. An 'Air Force Command Centre' was created last time for the Live Product Demo Area. Farnborough International teamed up with Crisis Cast to create a 'real-life' scenario played by actors. The feature provides real value for participating exhibitors allowing them to demonstrate their Defence and Security products to potential Industry customers and Military Delegations in an exciting and relevant way.
Air Cargo Brought to Life With IATA
Organisers of Farnborough International Air Show bring the Cargo Industry to life with a dedicated Cargo Village and a Conference Programme, which was officially supported by IATA last time. The Cargo Village is an important part of the Air Show representing major growth in demand, matched by increased requirement for Innovation in Cargo Aircraft. The Conference features a range of Speakers, Panelists and Industry thought-leaders; with a programme curated by IATA, who, as the leading Association for the Global Air Cargo Industry, can ensure the right focus on trends, innovations and challenges facing the Industry. The Cargo Village provides a rare opportunity for delegates to view and explore these Specialist Aircraft. A number of aircraft form part of the Static Display, and there are live demonstrations as well.
Farnborough Reflects Strength of Global Aerospace Industry
Across the five trade show days, Farnborough International expects about 80,000 trade visits during the show and an increase in attendance of people directly responsible for procurement. The show expects to have about 50% of visitors coming from overseas with many attending the show with pre-arranged meetings with exhibitors. The show will also witness a significant increase in Airline presence with many making large order announcements as well.
Delegations visits also may increase. The time-tabled and escorted meetings organised by Farnborough International Ltd. are one of the show’s key USPs and a reason the show is so popular with exhibitors. At a Supply Chain level, the Meet-the-Buyer programme has also proved popular with many meetings taking place between buyers and suppliers over the event designed to allow companies of all sizes to form new business relationships with international companies and suppliers.
About 110 aircraft participated in the flying and static displays during the trade week last time, including Boeing 737 Max, Bombardier C Series, Embraer E190-E2, Embraer KC-390, Embraer Legacy 500, Antonov An-178, Honda Jet, Dornier Dart-450 and the Gulfstream G500. The Farnborough Air Show generally records good orders and options, defying industry expectations. Farnborough International’s internal order tracker records the total of Aircraft and Aero-Engines and a variety of other business deals. As the trade days draw to a close, the Farnborough International Air Show also welcomes young people to the show for its outreach programme.
The Global Aerospace trade event opens with senior Aerospace executives, Military officials and International Government representatives at the official opening ceremony with a fly past of aircraft. Visitor numbers on trade days average at around 20,000 per day and there will be high levels of networking and engagement with a host of briefings, Seminars and Company Presentations taking place at the venue. Networking and engagement will also feature at the show with an increased number of briefings and workshops taking place. Alongwith a host of ADS-led events, there is an MRO Workshop and a Commercial Manufacturing briefing. Alongside the popular ‘Meet-the-Buyer’ event and Welcome Reception the show provides excellent business networking across all five days of the show.
Daily Flying Displays
The Daily Flying Display are a fundamental part of the Air Show. The display showcases the most advanced aircraft in both Commercial and Military Design. Consistent with Farnborough International Air Show’s business role, the flying display takes place during the afternoon, leaving the morning and lunch period free for business activity. The well-structured flying display provides a valuable presentation in which one can demonstrate the capabilities of products, enhanced by an illustrative commentary broadcast across the site.
Static Aircraft Displays
The natural amphitheatre at the Farnborough Aerodrome allows aircraft to be exhibited to maximum effect in the extensive Static Aircraft Park. Running in parallel to the exhibition, the Static Display gives visitors the opportunity to view the aircraft up close. Aircraft participating in the flying display will be shown to visitors prior to flying or based on the north side of the Farnborough Aerodrome.
Other aircraft either flying or on static display last time included the Antonov An-178, Airbus A350, Bombardier C-Series, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter, Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, Apache and Chinook Helicopters and other Boeing aircraft like P-8 Poseidon Maritime Recce Aircraft. Both Leonardo and Textron will showcase aircraft, helicopters and UAVs on display.
Business Aircraft Park
The Farnborough International Air Show Business Aircraft Park (BAP) is an area devoted to Business Aircraft manufacturers, their products and services. The Business Aircraft Park is now an integral part of the overall show and contributes significantly to the billions of dollars of business that is done across the trade show. Located within the main aircraft display area, the BAP is easily accessible from the centre of the main exhibition and also accommodates requests for demonstration flights to potential and existing customers.
Rotary-Wing
There is no doubt, the Rotary-Wing market is a growing one for Civil and Military Helicopters. FIA already represents a growing number of the helicopter market and again delivers a real opportunity to meet, connect and network across a truly international audience. The exhibiting options at FIA offer real flexibility with the size of exhibits within temporary exhibition halls, accommodating large displays within indoor exhibit area – giving a real wow-factor and making sure the participation stands out from the crowd.
Space Zone
The Space Zone too is the perfect opportunity for the International Space Community to discuss and meet and to encourage business in a forum that is now becoming recognised as one of the world’s leading Space show pieces.
The Space Industry in the UK is growing by around 7.5% per annum and is predicted to be worth around 40 Billion Pounds by 2030. As the Space Sector continues to grow globally the Farnborough International Air Show gives the perfect opportunity for manufacturers, suppliers and providers of Space hardware, Navigation and Communication Equipment and Satellite Services to showcase their expertise. This feature facilitates exceptional networking opportunities, business engagement and open forums across the global sector.
Visitors to the Air Show will have the opportunity to see flying demonstrations and explore the latest Drone Tech and latest gadgets. The CAA along with NATS (National Air Traffic Services) and ARPAS (Association of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) participated with Unmanned Aircraft displays.
Continuing a long tradition of Aviation firsts for the event, this is another opportunity for many of the organisations involved in the development of the F-35 aircraft to showcase their achievements in the making of the aircraft to a major international trade audience, and projecting the UK’s Next-Generation Tempest Combat Fighter Jet.
The Farnborough International Air Show remains an opportunity for manufacturers to announce major aircraft and engine orders and showcase their latest hardware. However it’s as much about the networking and engagement the event creates for the Supply Chain Industry witnessed by the exhibitors at Farnborough to do business.
A major attraction used to be the Farnborough International Air Show Public Weekend, with a packed programme, which excited enthusiasts and families alike with about 80,000 attendees daily. However, due to the pandemic this show is of 5-Days only. The stars of the Flying Displays include Aerobatics Flying Display programmes, with the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows, with the BAE Systems’ Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs). Audiences will be enthralled by the daring aerobatics, Twisters and the gravity defying Breitling Wingwalkers. Vintage planes including the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Catalina Flying Boat and P51 Mustang. Action on the ground centres on the Air Show Live, the performance stage in the heart of the arena. The Air Show Live will Broadcast around the site on large screens. Air Show Live is an entertaining mix of interviews, competitions and film reports. In the afternoon, Air Show Live broadcasts the flying displays. The Farnborough International Air Show showground will be full of attractions including the chance to get up close and personal with historical and modern aircraft. Vintage Aviation fans are able to enjoy exhibits from Museums, which showcase some of Farnborough’s unique pioneering Aviation Heritage as well.
Exhibiting Aircraft
Some of the Aircraft generally at the Static Display and Flying are BAE Jetstream 31, Beechcraft King Air 350i, Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, Boeing 727-2S2F, Cessna Citation CJ4, Cessna Grand Caravan EX, Dornier 328 D-CSNC, Dornier 328 VH-PPJ, EC135 (Nova Systems), Embraer KC-390, Embraer Legacy 500, Embraer E190-E2 Profit Hunter, Embraer Phenom 300E, Scottish Aviation Bulldog, etc.
The Farnborough Air Show provides a platform to organisations to display their products to potential customers with everything from multi-million-pound Airliners through to Ground Equipment on show. The top exhibitors this year at Farnborough will again be the major Airframers. Airbus will display their latest aircraft, the A350XWB and Boeing showcases its Max range of the best-selling 737. Brazillian Airframer Embraer will also display its KC-390 Airlifter and the E190-E2 Airliner, along with the Legacy 500 & Phenom Business Jets as it attempts to woo European customers. All the major Aero-Engine Manufacturers also exhibit at the show with Rolls-Royce, Safran, GE Aviation, Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney competing to win Airline contracts.
Recognising the growing impact of this niche industry, the Farnborough International Air Show provides a valuable opportunity for the Business Jets to cast-off its shyness albeit to a much wider audience. Since 2008, there has been a dedicated Business Aviation Park at the Air Show and this July the sector is represented by Airbus, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Gulfstream, Piaggio, Pilatus and Textron. As well enabling the wider Aviation community to get a rare, up-close glimpse of these elegant aircraft, the Air Show hosts a Delegations Programme, which introduces the manufacturers to potential customers for whom the convenience of Business Aviation is as valuable as privacy. With innovation setting the theme for Farnborough, these aircraft feature aspects of design and ingenuity that may make their way onto their bigger cousins.
Embraer will again highlight its products and services for Commercial and Executive Aviation, as well as Defence & Security Capabilities at the Farnborough Air Show. The world’s quietest and most efficient Commercial Jet in its class, the E190-E2 is again expected to make an appearance at the show. The aircraft also features a dramatic shark design on the nose symbolizing that both have highly-efficient, evolved, streamlined designs, and sophisticated Sensory & Navigation Systems.
Embraer’s static display also includes the Multi-Mission Military Transporter jet KC-390 and the Business Jets Phenom 300E and Legacy 500, showcasing the latest in innovation and technology. In addition to the exhibition on the ground, the E190-E2, KC-390 and Legacy 500 are expected to participate in the Air Display as well.
AEROSPACE GLOBAL FORUM TO DRIVE CHANGE
Aerospace Global Forum (AGF) 2022 at Farnborough, curated by Farnborough International and ADS Group, is the ultimate change-maker, for the first time, providing a unique global platform to drive immediate action, accelerating transition to the new, Net Zero.
Where Purpose Takes Off: To connect with other global leaders, to drive climate action and transform the industry. Providing a truly global platform and Aerospace Ecosystem to discuss and catalyse initiatives that focus on actions that accelerate the road to Net Zero to drive green growth in this critical decade of action.
Bringing Global Leaders Together: Connecting broader ecosystem, enabling accelerated change, facilitating global conversations and driving action, AGF will bring together Finance, Governments, climate experts, Start-Ups, OEMs and their Supply Chains, to share, debate and energise collaboration.
MEET THE PIONEERS OF CHANGE: The Aerospace Global Forum has unveiled its five-day headline main stage programme and Pioneers of Change, with Net Zero placed at the epicentre of the agenda, taking off during the show in tandem with the Farnborough International Air Show.
AGF provides an exclusive opportunity for trailblazers and c-suite professionals, all with the unified purpose to drive actionable change and accelerate transition to net zero, to convene and take the step as a global ecosystem.
Hear from a world-class line-up of global industry leaders, Chief Executives, Government professionals, Academia and Climate change experts coming together to drive conversation and catalyse actionable change at the revolutionary, first-ever Aerospace Global Forum.
World-class Speakers include: Guillaume Faury, CEO, Airbus; Charles Woodburn, CEO, BAE Systems; Warren East, CEO, Rolls Royce; Brian Moran, Vice President of Global Sustainability Public Policy and Partnerships, Boeing; Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General, ESA; Elena Avesani, Global Sustainability Director - Head of Sustainability Strategy EMEA, Oracle; Keric Morris, Executive Partner, Global Sustainability Strategy and UK Sustainability Team Lead, IBM; Professor Rob Miller, Chair in Aerothermal Technology and Director, Whittle Lab; Laia Barbara, Community Lead, Sustainable Aviation, WEF; Willie Walsh, CEO, IATA; Jim Hileman, Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Environment and Energy, FAA; Robin Riedel, Partner - Center for Future Mobility, McKinsey & Co.
Airline Leaders Summit
Farnborough International Air Show will also host the Airline Leaders Summit at the show, following the success of the inaugural Airline Chiefs Round-table launched at FIA2018. The Summit will see an elite gathering of Airline leaders, CEOs and senior figures take part in a Panel Session facilitated and hosted by moderator, Mark Pilling.
This is a prestigious, invite-only event where global Airline Leaders will participate in the session with an invited audience of 150 senior aviation personnel including OEMs, senior airline personnel, regulators and invited media. The successful launch at the 2018 Airshow hosted CEOs from the following airlines and lessors: AerCap, Air Arabia, Air Canada, Air Lease Corporation, Flybe, Gulf Air, Saudia and SpiceJet.
The Airline Leaders Summit at the Farnborough International Air Show 2022 is sponsored by Pratt & Whitney. Time: Monday 18th July, 11am - 12pm; Location: Pioneer Room 1, Hall 1, Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Eurofighter Is Natural Bridge to European Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
An enhanced Eurofighter Typhoon would form a core part of any European Future Combat Air System (FCAS), working hand-in- hand with any future European Fighter Programme - Manned or Unmanned. Eurofighter Typhoon is the benchmark for European collaboration - now and in the future. Eurofighter will be a central pillar of any European FCAS, and has a key role to play in this future system, operating alongside any existing or new European assets that may come into play in the Future Battlespace - across all mission scenarios.
There is a need for greater connectivity, Sensor and Data Fusion in the Future Battlespace would see a refresh of technology in the Cockpit, including a High Resolution large area display, and up to 15% more power to the aircraft's EJ-200 Engines, as part of the aircraft's long term evolution plans. Eurofighter, with the EJ-200 Engine, already has one of the best engines in its class in the world. It is being improved to deliver a 15% increase in thrust, to ensure that Eurofighter Typhoon can maintain its combat-edge in the future.
Eurofighter is the biggest and most successful Defence Collaboration Project ever undertaken in Europe. It is the backbone of NATO's European Air Defence and will continue to be developed to defend against all future threats for decades to come.
Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the most Advanced Swing-Role Combat Aircraft available and can be deployed in the full spectrum of Air Operations including Air Policing, Peace Support and high intensity conflict. Eurofighter Typhoon is the largest Military Procurement Programme in Europe.
UK’s Future Development of Eurofighter
The UK Government has restated its commitment to the future development of Eurofighter following the earlier unveiling of a National Combat Air Strategy. It had described how Eurofighter’s continued enhancement will act as a technology bridge to the development of a Future Combat Aircraft Programme and ensures Eurofighter will operate alongside future platforms in the decades to come.
Several emerging technologies have been already demonstrated as part of a Future Concept Aircraft. Industry leaders have described how Eurofighter will continue to operate as Europe’s dominant fighter aircraft and will develop and deploy the future technologies that will form a central pillar of a Future Combat Air System platform for Europe.
The Eurofighter programme within the UK Ministry of Defence, plans to develop the Next-Generation Combat Air System, and spirally develop, the world-class systems that are already on Eurofighter Typhoon. The Project CENTURION Upgrades, saw the Eurofighter become one of the world’s foremost Multi-Role Fighters with the MBDA Storm Shadow, Brimstone and Meteor Weapons entering UK’s Royal Air Force Service. It continues to develop the aircraft in an ever-more agile and responsive fashion; drawing on Advanced Sensors, including an Electronically-Scanned Radar and advanced reprogramming techniques.
BAE Systems Air Division has for a number of years, been working with its Partners, developing Future Combat Air System technologies as part of their commitment to the UK’s continuing role as a leading international partner in Air Defence. These technologies have been brought together in a concept that considers shared views on the future threat environment and likely international requirements. They develop and deploy on Eurofighter before ultimately being incorporated onto a Future Combat Air System. This means that Eurofighter will remain at the forefront of technology. It also means that it will be the natural partner to work alongside a future fighter in the decades to follow its entry into service.
Eurofighter will remain the dominant fighter aircraft in Europe for the next 30 to 35 years. The technologies being developed for Eurofighter go hand-in-hand with those technologies expected to be seen on a Future European Fighter Programme – Manned or Unmanned.
UK’s Team Tempest Future Combat Air System Led by BAE, Leonardo, MBDA & RR
At the last Farnborough, a Next-Generation Fighter Concept Model was revealed showcasing key technologies that will be important in the future. The concept gives an indication of the types of technologies that BAE Systems and its Partners are developing and investing in so that they can deliver world leading capabilities for the future.
The future operating environment will be contested, congested and complex. A Future Fighter System will need to be capable, flexible, upgradeable, connected and affordable to ensure the delivery of a system to meet the demands of the operating environment, both known and unknown. Team Tempest includes BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA & Rolls-Royce.
Capable: A Future Combat Air System must be able to survive the most challenging combat environments meaning that payload-range, speed and manoeuvrability will be key. We expect that the system will be equipped with a range of sensors including Radio Frequency, Active and Passive Electro-Optical Sensors and Advanced Electronic Support Measures to detect and intercept threats.
The system is likely to operate with Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Weapons. The integration of Laser Directed Energy Weapons for Self-Defence and use within Visual Range Combat is also highly likely. The ability to deploy and manage Air-Launched ‘Swarming’ Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) through a flexible payload bay allows the system to address dangerous Anti-Access Area Denial environments.
Flexible: Air Forces of the future will require a Fighter System that is highly flexible and can be applied to a wide variety of Military Operations. Operators will have the ability to rapidly adapt the system to perform new functions or to change its performance. Depending on the mission, ‘role fit’ additions such as low observable conformal Fuel Tanks, Weapons Dispensers, Air Launched UAV Dispensers, Large Modular Sensors, Long Range Oblique Photography Systems for Reconnaissance and Laser Directed Energy Weapons would be available, with much superior power thrust engines.
Adaptability will be built into the System Design, with Systems Architectures which support a ‘Plug and Play’ approach, easily integrating new algorithms and hardware. The system will also support ‘scalable autonomy’ to provide a number of modes of Unmanned Operation and a range of pilot decisions aids when manned flight is being conducted. These features are dynamically reconfigurable and serve to enhance Survivability, Availability, Cyber Resilience, and Tactical options.
Connected: To deliver significant information advantage and mission effectiveness, the Future Combat Air System will act as a ‘Force Multiplier’, interoperating with a wide range of other Civil and Military Platforms and services across Air, Land, Sea, Space and Cyber Domains – as well as Unmanned Systems.
Command and Control of other systems, such as UAVs, will be enabled from a fully customisable Virtual Cockpit, with advanced Human Machine Interfaces including eye tracking and gesture based controls, offering intuitive and sophisticated mission management. Using a similar virtual approach, both Mission Planning on the ground, and the Remote Command of Unmanned Aircraft can be enhanced, ensuring a rapid and effective understanding of the battlespace.
- Anita Mal Kaul