CASSIDIAN at the Paris Air Show 2011

* Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cyber security, Services and Eurofighter highlighted at PAS 2011
* Innovation and excellence in technologies
* Cassidian, a company defending world security


At its stand A253 in Hall 2A of the 49th International Paris Air Show, Cassidian will present its entire range of security solutions for the world of aerospace and the challenges of the future.

Today’s increasingly open and globalised world calls for increasingly advanced solutions and security systems. As a leading global provider of security solutions and integrated security systems for the civil and military markets, Cassidian is already working on tomorrow's solutions and developing the technologies of the future, drawing on its key competencies in aerospace, security, defence and services. Innovation and excellence in technologies are CASSIDIAN key recipes for a sustainable lead in our businesses.

At the International Paris Air Show 2011, Cassidian will demonstrate its technological accomplishments through interactive, latest-generation 3D scenarios, staged in its Touch Lab, on the topics of Unmanned Aerial Systems, cyber security, services and air traffic control in the year 2025.

Unmanned Aerial Systems
With 30 years’ experience as a system integrator, CASSIDIAN is expert in all aspects of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) from development to in-service support:

* All UAS R&T and projects are managed by a unique programme organisation that allows cross-fertilisation between production systems and new projects
* Experience throughout the life-cycle and the whole range of UAS
* Outstanding innovation and mastery of international collaboration
* Use of Battle-Lab to capture requirements, plus state-of-the-art development and support tools

Cassidian’s approach to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is a global one: background knowledge of key technologies (e.g. aircraft design, precise navigation, flight software architecture, standardised interfaces, mission planning, etc. gained from decades of experience with manned air systems), used and adapted to meet the requirements of unmanned aerial systems operations (e.g. air traffic requirements, sensor control, air vehicle control), results in overall Unmanned Aerial Systems solutions.

On the static display, CASSIDIAN will present: combat proven UAS with the DRAC presented by French Army servants who operated it in Afghanistan, videos presenting HARFANG last accomplishments and the future MALE TALARION with a scale 1 mock-up.

Cyber security

In 2009, given the growing number and diversity of cyber attacks, Cassidian established the Cyber Security Center staffed by experts based in France, the UK and Germany, in order to put in place the solutions needed to detect and combat these new threats. In order to better anticipate future attacks, these elite teams collaborate closely with the respective government authorities in numerous countries to intercept the threats. They are thus the key elements of international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.

At the Paris Air Show, Cassidian will demonstrate its experience in protecting highly sensitive and complex networks, and particularly in protecting critical national infrastructures. Indeed, in an increasingly computerised world, critical infrastructures can only operate to maximum effect if they are interconnected and interdependent. The failure of just one link in the chain can have consequences extending far beyond national borders. One of the challenges in the future will therefore be to protect these infrastructures. In its Touch Lab, using a 3D scenario to illustrate critical national infrastructures Cassidian will stage a cyber attack along with its proposed solutions for warding off such threats.

Services

Cassidian Aviation Training Services (CATS, formerly EADS Cognac Aviation Training Services) was founded in 2006 and has since become France’s leading outsourced operator from a technical point of view, providing the French Air Force with equipment and services for pilot training. CATS hosts hundreds of trainees at its technical training sessions and provides the French Air Force with new-generation aircraft and flight simulators which, by June, will have clocked up 100,000 flight hours and 25,000 simulator hours.

At the Paris Air Show, Cassidian will for the first time display a flight demonstration symbolizing Cassidian's fleet and training services. Four training aircraft which could be proposed as a complete training pipeline of a fighter pilot will be presented: initial training (APM 40 Simba), elementary and basic training (Grob 120 A), basic and advanced training (Pilatus PC-21) and advanced training (Aermacchi M346). Cassidian has offered these aircraft, among others, to various European Air Forces for training purposes. One CATS aircraft will also be displayed on the Static with a representative working at the Cognac flight training school.

The skills and know-how of the CATS personnel provide French Air Force pilots with training facilities using state-of-the art, high-performance equipment at a significantly lower cost (approx. 30%).
Based on the success of its services to the French Air Force over the past five years, Cassidian Air Systems will also present its service offerings for fighter and transport pilot training.

Eurofighter Typhoon

Eurofighter Typhoon is also presented at PAS 2011 with daily flight demonstrations of the Italian Air Force in the Flying Display. Eurofighter is the world's most advanced multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft available on the world market. The aircraft has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and Saudi Arabia). With 707 aircraft under contract and more than 270 deliveries, it is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industry in the global competition. More than 100,000 jobs and over 400 supplier companies are involved in the programme. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies: Alenia Aeronautica/Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS in Germany and Spain which are Europe’s leading aerospace and defence companies with a total turnover of approx. €120 billion (2010).

The combat aircraft features extreme agility, integrated systems, an optimum human-machine interface, advanced precision-guided armament, sensor data fusion, integration into military data networks and latest production technologies, e.g. the use of carbon fibre composite materials (CFCs). Eurofighter is still at the beginning of its in-service life and thus enjoys an enormous growth potential.

PR

Read more...

Boeing Opens New South Carolina 787 Final Assembly Building

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Elected officials and representatives from numerous community and business groups, suppliers and subcontractors joined more than 1,000 Boeing [NYSE: BA] employees at its North Charleston, S.C., facility today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new 787 Dreamliner Final Assembly building.

"In this building, our talented Boeing South Carolina teammates are going to assemble the finest, most technologically advanced commercial widebody airplane in history," said Jack Jones, vice president and general manager of Boeing South Carolina. "Airline customers from around the world will come to the South Carolina Lowcountry to take delivery of their 787s, and we look forward to demonstrating what 'made with pride in South Carolina' is all about."

Boeing's Site Services Group and BE&K/Turner, the design-build team, were recognized at the ceremony for their work in bringing construction of the building to completion six months ahead of schedule. In addition the BE&K/Turner team has worked 3.7 million labor-hours without a lost time incident. Employees began moving into the new building in May, and final assembly of the first South Carolina-built 787 Dreamliner will begin later this summer.

"Our partnerships with state and local government and industry have made today possible," said Marco Cavazzoni, vice president and general manager, Final Assembly & Delivery, Boeing South Carolina. "I have a lot of gratitude and respect for every person who has worked hard to help build this new 'house' for us. Every person who steps through these doors is making history, and that's something we should all take pride in."

In April, Boeing announced that thin-film solar laminate panels would be installed on the roof of the Final Assembly building. This solar installation will provide up to 2.6 megawatts of electrical power for the site and is the largest in the Southeast by production capacity.

The new Final Assembly building features 642,720 square feet (59,711 m2) of covered space, roughly the equivalent of 10.5 football fields. More than 18,000 tons (16,329 mt) of steel and one million cubic feet (28,316.8 m3) of concrete were used in its construction. At full production rate, the South Carolina Final Assembly facility will produce three 787 Dreamliners per month.

Read more...

Boeing Delivers UAE Air Force and Air Defence's 2nd C-17

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 10, 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered a second C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence today at the C-17 program's final assembly facility in Long Beach.

The company is contracted to deliver a total of six C-17s to its UAE customer -- four this year and two in 2012.

"Congratulations to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence on accepting delivery of their second C-17," said Bob Ciesla, Boeing C-17 program manager. "The leadership of the UAE team has resulted in incredible progress on this program. We look forward to continuing to work closely together as we deliver the remainder of the fleet."

The C-17 is the only aircraft capable of performing all of the UAE's airlift requirements -- strategic and tactical, military and humanitarian, brigade airdrop and aeromedical evacuation -- using either standard runways or short, austere airfields. It can transport large payloads across vast ranges without refueling and operate in extremely hot and cold climates. With a full payload of 170,000 pounds, a C-17 can fly 2,400 nautical miles and land in 3,000 feet or less.

"We're proud to say that UAE 02 is mission-ready," said Rich Cutting, Boeing UAE C-17 program manager. "UAE 01, delivered just one month ago, has already logged several missions. And that's what the C-17 is all about -- being ready to perform any mission, anywhere, on a moment's notice."

As a member of the worldwide C-17 "virtual fleet," the UAE's C-17s will be supported through Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, a proven multinational Performance-Based Logistics program. Through the virtual fleet concept, C-17 customers receive comprehensive worldwide logistics support (spares, support equipment, tech orders, sustaining engineering, and on-site field teams) through use of shared resources across the entire fleet. This highly successful program ensures high levels of mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers -- regardless of fleet size -- cost-effective access to an extensive support program.

There are currently 232 C-17s in service worldwide -- 22 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 210. Other international customers include the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

Read more...

IATA Reveals Checkpoint of the Future

Singapore – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled the first mock-up of a Checkpoint of the Future, designed to enhance security while reducing queues and intrusive searches at airports, using intelligence-driven risk-based measures.

IATA’s Checkpoint of the Future is being shown to delegates attending the Association’s 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit, in Singapore.

“We spend $7.4 billion a year to keep aviation secure. But our passengers only see hassle. Passengers should be able to get from curb to boarding gate with dignity. That means without stopping, stripping or unpacking, and certainly not groping. That is the mission for the Checkpoint of the Future. We must make coordinated investments for civilized flying,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

The main concepts of the Checkpoint are (1) strengthened security by focusing resources where risk is greatest, (2) supporting this risk-based approach by integrating passenger information into the checkpoint process, and (3) maximizing throughput for the vast majority of travelers who are deemed to be low risk with no compromise on security levels.

“Today’s checkpoint was designed four decades ago to stop hijackers carrying metal weapons. Since then, we have grafted on more complex procedures to meet emerging threats. We are more secure, but it is time to rethink everything. We need a process that responds to today’s threat. It must amalgamate intelligence based on passenger information and new technology. That means moving from a system that looks for bad objects, to one that can find bad people,” said Bisignani.

How does it work?
The Checkpoint of the Future ends the one-size-fits-all concept for security. Passengers approaching the checkpoint will be directed to one of three lanes: ‘known traveler’, ‘normal’, and ‘enhanced security’. The determination will be based on a biometric identifier in the passport or other travel document that triggers the results of a risk assessment conducted by government before the passenger arrives at the airport.

The three security lanes will have technology to check passengers according to risk. “Known travelers” who have registered and completed background checks with government authorities will have expedited access. “Normal screening” would be for the majority of travelers. And those passengers for whom less information is available, who are randomly selected or who are deemed to be an “Elevated risk” would have an additional level of screening.

Screening technology is being developed that will allow passengers to walk through the checkpoint without having to remove clothes or unpack their belongings. Moreover, it is envisioned that the security process could be combined with outbound customs and immigration procedures, further streamlining the passenger experience.

Next Steps
Through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 19 governments, including the United States, are working to define standards for a Checkpoint of the Future. IATA is also coordinating closely with the US Department of Homeland Security’s Checkpoint of Tomorrow program which has similar goals.

“We have the ability to move to the biometric scanning and three-lane concept right now. And while some of the technology still needs to be developed, even by just re-purposing what we have today, we could see major changes in two or three years time,” said Bisignani.

PR

Read more...

Beechcraft King Air 250 Receives FAA Certification

WICHITA, Kan. (June 9, 2011) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced it has received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the latest derivative of its Beechcraft King Air line, the King Air 250. Developed from inputs received from more than 3,000 customers worldwide, the King Air 250 utilizes new composite technology, lighter weight construction, and engine induction modifications to produce enhanced performance and greater versatility.

“The King Air 250 is a prime example of Hawker Beechcraft’s product forward strategy of taking a market-leading aircraft and making it even better,” said Shawn Vick, HBC executive vice president. “The fact that we have been able to continually adapt this airplane’s roles and applications, and that it continues to be in high demand around the world, is a tribute to the quality of its design and unmatched service record.”

Most obvious among the King Air 250’s new features are its BLR Aerospace composite winglets which improve efficiency in all phases of flight. The aircraft also has composite propellers that provide new aerodynamic technology and lighter weight, as well as engine induction modifications contribute to its increased performance.

As a result of these features, the King Air 250 has its best takeoff performance ever. At max gross takeoff weight, the takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle is only 2,111 feet from sea level airports, 400 feet shorter than the B200GT. The new hot/high takeoff performance is even more exceptional. At max gross takeoff weight, from a 5,000 foot elevation airport at 25°C, the takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle is 3,094 feet, which is approximately 700 feet better than its predecessor. HBC designed the King Air 250 to achieve its enhanced field performance without any significant tradeoffs. In fact, the King Air 250 also offers slight increases in high speed cruise, climb performance and range over its predecessor. The shorter runway capability adds access to more than 1,100 airports previously unavailable to King Air 200 operators and provides additional safety margin and operational flexibility on longer fields.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Read more...