Military aircraft, space systems, secure communications & UAVs
Airbus presents a broad portfolio of innovative products and services at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2018 that meet the aerospace industry’s requirements for today and tomorrow.
Airbus Defence & Space (DS) demonstrates its broad product portfolio of military aircraft, space systems, secure communications and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). An A400M military transporter in special Royal Air Force colours takes part in both the flying and static displays. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, the A400M can perform strategic and tactical transport missions and also undertake air-to-air refuelling (AAR), with helicopter AAR coming up by the end of the year, according to Dirk Hoke, Ceo of Airbus DS.
Also featured is ZEPHYR, Airbus’ solar-electric stratospheric unmanned aircraft that combines the advantage of a satellite with the flexibility and persistence of a UAV.
Airbus showcases its world leading secure communications networking and cyber security capability at one of the interactive bubble displays at the Airbus Pavilion.
Airbus Helicopters presents key market-leading product and capabilities as well as highlights research and development in unmanned solutions. On the static display is a single-engine H125 helicopter equipped with special sensors and a telemetry kit that allow pilot and aircraft performance to be streamed in real-time to the ground for training applications. The aircraft is due to be handed over during the show to QinetiQ for use with the UK-based Empire Test Pilots’ School.
A full scale mock-up of the VSR700 rotary-wing UAV, which can bring beyond the horizon surveillance capability to naval ships, is also on show.
The interactive ‘bubble’ displays in the Pavilion will present four broad key themes for Airbus by illustrating certain related activities. Next to the commercial “Future of Flight,” “Sustainable Parter” and “From Data to Insight” display, the “Secure World” display showcases Airbus’ vision for defence and security including the Future Air Power family of connected systems to respond to the threats of tomorrow. As a large supplier to the Royal Air Force, Airbus shows its strong support for the RAF’s centenary celebrations.
