Future European combat aircraft systems displayed
Airbus presents its extensive product portfolio and a number of innovations at ILA 2018.
In additional to the commercial aircraft segment (A380, A350-900 MSN 2 and A340 BLADE), Airbus Defence & Space (DS) exhibits the C295 military transport aircraft and several Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The Eurofighter TYPHOON is also on display. For the first time ever, visitors to ILA have the opportunity to view a 1:1 model of the future European UAV system MALE RPAS (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance; Remotely Piloted Aircraft System).
An interactive presentation provides information on Airbus’ designs for future European combat aircraft systems. Furthermore, a live demonstration will be given of the HERON UAV, which is in operational use by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). The successor model, the HERON TP UAV, can also be visited in the outdoor exhibition area. HERON’s OEM is Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Airbus Aerial presents its data acquisition and processing solutions. It operates image processing services that bring together UAVs, satellite imagery and software solutions to enable more in-depth analyses for commercial customers. Airbus Aerial is exhibiting the ZEPHYR UAV: a very light UAV powered by electricity generated from its own solar cells, operating at an altitude of 20 kilometres, remaining over an observation area for more than 30 days.
Furthermore, Airbus presents its diverse space activities in the Space Pavilion. Under the banner ‘Space for Earth’, Airbus – together with the European Space Agency (ESA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the German Aerospace Research Centre (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) – is presenting the latest space missions and new technologies, discussing how Earth observation satellites, such as TerraSAR-X and MERLIN, help improve the quality of life on Earth and how they make essential contributions to environmental and climate protection.
Airbus Helicopters also have a significant presence at ILA ranging from successful military products to its next-generation rotorcraft. The state-of-the-art, multirole twin-engine helicopter H145M is one of the show’s highlights on the static and flying display. The H145M is the military version of the tried-and-tested, light twin-engine H145 civil helicopter. With a maximum take-off weight of 3.7t, the agile H145M can be used for a wide range of tasks, including transport, supply, surveillance, air rescue, armed reconnaissance and medical evacuation. In 2017, Airbus Helicopters delivered the 15th and final H145M multi-role helicopter to the Bundeswehr’s Special Forces after having completed the entire programme within the specified time schedule and budget.
Other exhibits include a full scale mock-up of the brand new H160 presented for the first time ever at ILA, with an example of an EMS cabin interior, a model of the unmanned surveillance rotorcraft VSR700 and an H135, the smallest member of Airbus Helicopters’ twin engine family.
Missile house MBDA, in which Airbus holds a 37.5% stake, teams up with Lockheed Martin to present the progress made in the development of the Tactical Air Defence System (TADS). The system comprises three vehicles with a command post, a launcher for the high-performance PAC 3 MSE guided missile and Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T SL launcher. MBDA also displays a modular system concept for short-range and very short-range defence against threats from the air. For the first time, this includes a new laser system that can be used on land and at sea. One of the most important tools in the area of battlefield engagement is the precise, light-weight and cost-effective ENFORCER small missile for use by the infantry and Special Forces. MBDA demonstrates the use of it in virtual reality at its booth, and also presents the METEOR, BRIMSTONE and TAURUS guided missiles for arming aircraft as well as the new Franco-German European Modular Missile (EMM) guided missiles for arming helicopters.
The Airbus Pavilion is located in the western chalet row 6–9; the Airbus tent and the static aircraft display are set up in the display area. The Space Pavilion is located in Hall 4. Airbus also takes part in the exhibition in the Military Support Centre (Hall 3). The MBDA booth is located in Display G3 / 001, while the TLVS booth is located in Display H4 / 004.
