Airbus Defence & Space (DS) will be promoting its multi mission aircraft (MMA) and high altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) capabilities at DSEI 2015 next week, company officials have explained.
Referring to the forthcoming publication of the UK’s latest Security and Defence Strategic Review (SDSR), expected to be published in October, Airbus officials explained how they were positioning themselves to offer up a flexible and modular MMA capability based around the C295 air frame.
According to Gary Soul, Airbus’s account lead for Air ISTAR, any spare investment funds arising from the SDSR and the UK’s pledge to spend two percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defence and security, could be used to provide a MMA system capable of conducting maritime patrol and wider situation awareness missions, operations in support of Special Forces, search and rescue (SAR), casualty evacuation, and humanitarian aid/disaster relief (HADR) operations amongst other tasks.
“The information we see is that the chances are we’ll see a decision to replace the Nimrod [MRA4] with a multi-mission aircraft rather than maritime patrol aircraft. [The Ministry of Defence] wants it to do lots of things apart from fly over the sea,” Soul explained. “We don’t think a requirement is published at the moment but hopefully, by the end of the year, we will have an indication as to what that requirement will be. Airbus is very keen to have a competition and we believe we have a very capable set of mission systems that would give turbo fan offerings a big run for their money.”
Soul urged how a MMA concept would allow the MoD to return to running, “concurrent and contingent operations,” following more than a decade of operations fighting in, “desert,” environments of the Middle East and South Central Asia.
Additionally, he said operating C295 would allow easy integration of Royal Navy weapons already in the inventory as well as an air-to-air refuelling, short take off and landing capability, increased situation awareness and insertion capability for UK Special Forces.
Referring to the latter, Soul described how the C295 had been cleared for parachute operations up to its maximum operating altitude above ground level of 26,000 feet. Such a capability would allow for high altitude high opening (HAHO) and low opening (HALO) insertions.
Meanwhile, head of business development at Airbus Defence & Space, Steve Whitby explained how the company was already working up development plans for its next-generation ZEPHYR HAPS solution.
The news follows an announcement that the first of three ZEPHYR 8 models has just been built, comprising 40% weight savings over the ZEPHYR 7, as well as provision of an ability to fly for a total of three months continuously. ZEPHYR 7 managed to achieve a record of 14 days continuous flight at a maximum altitude of 72,000 feet.
The ZEPHYR 8 comprises an interchangeable and modular payload system with 5kg capacity, allowing sensors to be swapped out as and when required. The platform has already demonstrated a capability to provide a communications relay for tactical handheld radio systems on the ground, allowing them to reach beyond 400mi in range beyond line of sight.
Other payloads include an InfraRed capability, providing coverage through cloud cover, as well as a maritime radar fitted to the 25m wingspan of the air frame.
Up to four ZEPHYR 7 and 8 vehicles can be operated concurrently from a single Ground Control Station, Whitby added.
The UK MoD is considering running a three-month operational capability demonstration although sources said it was still, “flushing out details.” However, it is understood the evaluation will see the concurrent operation of two ZEPHYR 8s at an undisclosed location with emphasis on communications and data relay tasks.
However, development of the ZEPHYR 8 has not prevented Airbus from considering a next-generation option with the next evolution of the system- potentially called the Z350- expected to comprise a 35m wingspan with 40kg payload.
Running on Lithium Sulphate batteries, this “Second Generation” ZEPHYR 8 air vehicle will be able to carry more advanced but stripped down payloads. Operating at such a high altitude means sensor payloads no longer need to be ruggedised and can perform without air conditioning units and transformers. Airbus said it had already proven the concept by stripping down a 10kg payload to just 3.5 kilogrammes.
Elsewhere, the Singapore Navy is looking to utilise a ZEPHYR air frame for maritime surveillance although take-off and landing has proven an issue to date on board vessels. However, the Navy is understood to have procured a barge for this purpose with Airbus also assisting in the development of a maritime radar for the effort.
Elsewhere, German military and law enforcement organisations are in discussions with Airbus regarding ZEPHYR as well as the UK MoD and US Department of Defense. Finally, the HAPS is also being considered for agricultural monitoring tasks in the US.
Referring to the forthcoming publication of the UK’s latest Security and Defence Strategic Review (SDSR), expected to be published in October, Airbus officials explained how they were positioning themselves to offer up a flexible and modular MMA capability based around the C295 air frame.
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| The C295 has an outstanding reliability track record. In service since 2001, and with some 80 aircraft in operations, it has amply demonstrated its worth as an outstanding “work-horse” for any kind of military transport or civic and humanitarian relief operations in the most varied environments, ranging from desert to mountainous areas, to hot and dry as well as humid or very cold. (Photo: Airbus) |
According to Gary Soul, Airbus’s account lead for Air ISTAR, any spare investment funds arising from the SDSR and the UK’s pledge to spend two percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defence and security, could be used to provide a MMA system capable of conducting maritime patrol and wider situation awareness missions, operations in support of Special Forces, search and rescue (SAR), casualty evacuation, and humanitarian aid/disaster relief (HADR) operations amongst other tasks.
“The information we see is that the chances are we’ll see a decision to replace the Nimrod [MRA4] with a multi-mission aircraft rather than maritime patrol aircraft. [The Ministry of Defence] wants it to do lots of things apart from fly over the sea,” Soul explained. “We don’t think a requirement is published at the moment but hopefully, by the end of the year, we will have an indication as to what that requirement will be. Airbus is very keen to have a competition and we believe we have a very capable set of mission systems that would give turbo fan offerings a big run for their money.”
Soul urged how a MMA concept would allow the MoD to return to running, “concurrent and contingent operations,” following more than a decade of operations fighting in, “desert,” environments of the Middle East and South Central Asia.
Additionally, he said operating C295 would allow easy integration of Royal Navy weapons already in the inventory as well as an air-to-air refuelling, short take off and landing capability, increased situation awareness and insertion capability for UK Special Forces.
Referring to the latter, Soul described how the C295 had been cleared for parachute operations up to its maximum operating altitude above ground level of 26,000 feet. Such a capability would allow for high altitude high opening (HAHO) and low opening (HALO) insertions.
Meanwhile, head of business development at Airbus Defence & Space, Steve Whitby explained how the company was already working up development plans for its next-generation ZEPHYR HAPS solution.
 |
| The Singapore Navy is looking to utilise a ZEPHYR air frame for maritime surveillance although take-off and landing has proven an issue to date on board vessels; however, having procured a barge for this purpose with Airbus also assisting in the development of a maritime radar for the effort. Elsewhere, German military and law enforcement organisations are in discussions with Airbus regarding ZEPHYR, as well as the UK MoD and US Department of Defense. Finally, the HAPS is also being considered for agricultural monitoring tasks in the US. (Photo: Airbus) |
The news follows an announcement that the first of three ZEPHYR 8 models has just been built, comprising 40% weight savings over the ZEPHYR 7, as well as provision of an ability to fly for a total of three months continuously. ZEPHYR 7 managed to achieve a record of 14 days continuous flight at a maximum altitude of 72,000 feet.
The ZEPHYR 8 comprises an interchangeable and modular payload system with 5kg capacity, allowing sensors to be swapped out as and when required. The platform has already demonstrated a capability to provide a communications relay for tactical handheld radio systems on the ground, allowing them to reach beyond 400mi in range beyond line of sight.
Other payloads include an InfraRed capability, providing coverage through cloud cover, as well as a maritime radar fitted to the 25m wingspan of the air frame.
Up to four ZEPHYR 7 and 8 vehicles can be operated concurrently from a single Ground Control Station, Whitby added.
The UK MoD is considering running a three-month operational capability demonstration although sources said it was still, “flushing out details.” However, it is understood the evaluation will see the concurrent operation of two ZEPHYR 8s at an undisclosed location with emphasis on communications and data relay tasks.
However, development of the ZEPHYR 8 has not prevented Airbus from considering a next-generation option with the next evolution of the system- potentially called the Z350- expected to comprise a 35m wingspan with 40kg payload.
Running on Lithium Sulphate batteries, this “Second Generation” ZEPHYR 8 air vehicle will be able to carry more advanced but stripped down payloads. Operating at such a high altitude means sensor payloads no longer need to be ruggedised and can perform without air conditioning units and transformers. Airbus said it had already proven the concept by stripping down a 10kg payload to just 3.5 kilogrammes.
Elsewhere, the Singapore Navy is looking to utilise a ZEPHYR air frame for maritime surveillance although take-off and landing has proven an issue to date on board vessels. However, the Navy is understood to have procured a barge for this purpose with Airbus also assisting in the development of a maritime radar for the effort.
Elsewhere, German military and law enforcement organisations are in discussions with Airbus regarding ZEPHYR as well as the UK MoD and US Department of Defense. Finally, the HAPS is also being considered for agricultural monitoring tasks in the US.
Andrew White
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