Defence Turkey Visited Airbus Defence & Space Group Facility in Seville
Airbus Defence & Space hosted media representatives from all around the world including Defence Turkey Magazine at its facilities in Seville and Madrid on 9 and10 of June. In the press briefing that took place in Seville, Antonio Rodriguez Barberan, Head of Commercial, Peter Maute, Head of Marketing, Rafael Tentor, Head of A400 M Programme, Eric Isorce, Head of A400M Flight Tests, Jens Nielsen, Head of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Ian Burrett, Head of Training and Aircrew Operations gave presentations on customer services, A400M global market Outlook, the latest status of the programme, flight tests, unmanned aerial systems and training. After the presentations the A400M final assembly line was visited. In Madrid, A visit took place to the Airbus A330 Multi Role Conversion Line where Antonio Caramazana, Head of Military Derivatives Programmes and Philippe Galland, Head of Services provided information on the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport programme. Additionally, during the press tour, Domingo Urena Raso, Head of Military Aircraft in Airbus Defence & Space joined the members of the press and provided information on the company planning in the coming year.
Airbus Defence & Space multiples its market scope
With its new formation in all fixed wing military market segments, Airbus Defence &Space has a large and versatile family of platforms and services covering A400 M , Eurofighter, A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, C295/ CN 235, C 295 ISR, CN 235 MPA and Unmanned Aerial Systems. It is seen that the creation of Airbus Defence &Space multiples its market scope with 1,800 aircraft sold to 143 customers in 69 countries. In the medium transport segment, Airbus maintained a leadership with its sales: 1 C295 for Colombia AF, 1 CN 235 For USCG, 6 C295s for Egypt AF, 2 C295 for Kazakhstan AF in 2013 and 3 C295 for Ecuador AF and 17 C295 for undisclosed customers in 2014. In total 140 C295 were sold to 20 different operators in 19 countries. Airbus expects over 58% cumulative 10 year market share in 2014 in medium transport segment. With its A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, Airbus has 83% market share in 2013-2014. It received contracts from Singapore and India for a total 12 A330 MRTT (6+6) in 2013 and from Qatar for 2 A330 MRTT in 2014. The negotiations with France and S. Korea are still ongoing. Airbus holds 32% market share with sold 172 A400 M. It is estimated that 300-400 A400 M aircrafts sales will be performed over the next 30 years. The 400th Eurofighter Typhoon has been delivered to German Air Force in 2013 and the first new standard Eurofighter Typhoon built in Italy has rolled out in March 2014. In the Eurofighter programme Airbus has 267 contracts and 161 of them were delivered.
A400 M: Entry into Service and Production Ramp-Up
Turkey joined the A400M New Generation Transport Aircraft program launched as a multi-national program with the participation of countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, UK, Spain and Luxembourg in 1988. The Program Board Decision regulating the affairs between the participant countries and project management was signed and entered into force on 22 May 2003 by the representatives of the participant countries. The A400M Agreement was signed between OCCAR on behalf of the participant countries and main contractor AMSL (Airbus Military Consortium) on 27 May 2003 in Bonn. Turkey announced a purchase of 10 A400M transport aircrafts for the Air Forces Command, according to the agreement text on which the participant countries reached a settlement. Malaysia joined the program in 2005 and the total number of aircraft orders reached 174. A400M’s Roll-Out was accomplished in the summer of 2008 and the maiden flight took place in September 2009 a year after the intended date. Several issues emerged during those years. In 2009-2010, 6 countries came together and revised the contract, determined a new schedule and went to several changes in the technical specifications. These studies revitalized the project and the first A400M aircraft was delivered to French Air Force at the end of September 2013. The second aircraft was intended to be delivered to Turkey in November 2013 within the scope of the program but as a result of the conflict between the two parties on technical specifications and financial issues, the delivery took place on April 2014 to the Turkish Air Force after a five-month delay.
Subsequent to the delivery of the MSN9 tail number first A400M aircraft in April, the second aircraft with tail number MSN 13 is ready to be delivered and after certain procedures the aircraft is expected to be received in July or August. The tail numbered MSN 23, the third A400M to be delivered, is at the final assembly line and about 70% of the aircraft has been completed. The fourth aircraft with tail number MSN 28 is at the components manufacturing and assembly line. About 40% of the aircraft has been completed.
The latest status of deliveries of the A400Ms to take place to other countries in the short-term is as follows As of June 2014, the last stage of the acceptance process for the third French aircraft with tail number MSN 10 is continuing. The delivery process for the fourth A400M with tail number MSN 11has recently started. After France and Turkey, the UK will receive three A400Ms back to back the following year. After the first aircraft delivered to Turkey in 2014 and the 2 aircraft to be delivered within two months, the remaining 8 A400M will be delivered at 2 a year during 2014-2018.
The latest situation of aircrafts on the manufacturing line is a follows: 14 aircrafts between MSN 11- 24 covering 2nd Turkey aircraft MSN 13 and first UK aircraft MSN 15 are in the Final Assembly Line. On the other hand, 20 aircrafts between MSN 25 to MSN 44 are in various stages of production (components manufacturing and assembly), 9 aircrafts between MSN 45 to MSN 53 are in the long lead items procurement process. Additionally, which configurations are to take place on the aircrafts to be delivered according to delivery years are known. Accordingly, MSN 10 to MSN 14 (France and Turkey) will be delivered with full logistics capabilities. First UK Aircraft MSN 15 delivery will be realised with initial tactical capabilities ( Paratrooper operations from ramp and side doors, RAS/Wedge aerial delivery).The target is 2015 standard with new tactical capabilities when the aircraft will get full aerial delivery, self defence and tanker capabilities. The aircrafts to be delivered according to the programme calendar, if received during the first half of that year, the configuration will be those of the previous year. Of course deliveries received at a later period can be upgraded from the existing configuration with a new contract. On the other hand, aside from the partner nations, Airbus negotiations with Mexico, Kazakhstan and the UAE have on the export versions of this aircraft within the scope of the marketing and export activities to commence the following year. For the Middle East, Mexico and Central Asia, the export version that complies with ITAR regulations were developed. First slots will be available in 2017.
A400M flight tests are successfully fulfilled
Since its maiden flight in 2009, the A400M has undertaken test flights in various regions of the world including Ankara, Izmir, Eskişehir and Kayseri. As of June 2014 the aircraft has completed 6,343 hours for a total of 2,278 test flights. AAR tanker Pod & HDU Structural Perfos & Hose Stability, Military Mission management system, Combat offload, operations on natural & gravel runway, DASS – Radar Warning Receiver, Defence AIDS System, Airdrop Static lines done – paratroops, ground loading /unloading, braking max energy Merto and Climatic Envelope Expansion, Airdrop RAS Wedge, Unpaved RWY operations, Defence AIDS Systems and aircrafts identification and signature tests were fulfilled in 2013 and 2014.
A400 M Training Systems
Airbus provides A400M customers with all training products, equipments and services needed to establish and maintain their A400M operational and support capabilities. In 2013 the International Training Centre (ITC) located in Seville has provided 315 students from France, Turkey, UK and Germany a total of 1,636 hours involving 244 different courses on training in aircrew, maintenance personnel, air-dispatchers, paratroopers, customer support teams, aero-medical personnel, maintenance and repair organizations, instructors training of ground simulator and TRI. ITC has been working at full capacity for 18 months. At the same time ITC conducts joint training with Turkey, UK (Brize Norton National Training Centre), Germany (Wunstorf National Training Centre) and France (Orleans National Training Centre). The network between the training centres offers customers optimised use of common and local resources combined with benefits of volume to give high quality and cost–effective training services with national customisation when needed.
13 personnel from Turkey completed training in 2014
A total of 427 personnel are undergoing training in 2014, while 108 have completed their training, training for 78 individuals are continuing. A total of 44 individuals consisting of 28 pilots and 16 loadmaster & support personnel are participating in the training programmes. Currently a total of 13 personnel have completed their training and 6 personnel’s training are on-going. 25 personnel of which 12 are pilots and 13 are loadmaster & support personnel will undertake training in the near future. Since Turkey has asked for engineering, avionic and engine training outside of the standard training courses, a different training programme is being applied at the facility. In 2013, 88 personnel of whom 20 are pilots, 8 are loadmaster & support personnel and 60 personnel responsible for maintenance completed their training.
A Joint Approach to European UAS
Airbus Defence & Space possesses competencies in Unmanned Aerial Systems thanks to its technology and proven references in the operation and maintenance of MALE systems, Harfang, SAATEG and advanced capabilities on the Eurohawk programme. Airbus has accumulated over 18,000 flight hours in Afghanistan operations in less than four years. Harfang, based on Heron-1 UAS fitted with Airbus Defence & Space’s surveillance solution and high performance broadband SATCOM satellite link, is successfully operated in France and MALI with 10,000 flight hours in over 900 operational missions. French Armaments Directorate (DGA) recently signed a contract with Airbus to upgrade the Harfang French Air Force fleet and keep it in active service until at least end of 2017. In the Saateg Heron 1 programme, Cassidian Airborne Solutions is the service contactor for the German Air Force’s Heron 1 in Afghanistan since 2009. In the EURO HAWK programme, the first high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE), Airbus provides stand-off wide-area surveillance with signals intelligence (SIGINT) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) based on the RQ-4 Global Hawk produced by Northrop Grumman. Airbus has also launched several technology programmes and concept studies like Barracuda, Sagitta, Optionally Piloted vehicles, HAPS.
In 2013 during Paris Airshow, Alenia (Italy), Dassault (France) and Airbus (Germany) announced that they are ready to develop a next generation advanced European Unmanned Aerial System and will work on a common proposal. 3 companies delivered a proposal for further defining a European UAS to the Ministry of Defence of France, Germany and Italy. The offer proposes a Definition Phase which has been prepared by joint development teams of Airbus Defence and Space, Dassault Aviation and Alenia Aermacchi and which is backed by an industrial agreement on workshare and a cooperative agreement to start the MALE2020 program. The definition phase foresees that the three nations define and adjust their requirements for a European UAS development together with their armed forces and the European industry. The definition phase also serves to avoid costly additional developments during production and to reduce financial and development risks to a minimum. A commitment by the nations on the further development of the European UAS has then to be made after finalizing this definition phase: the plan of the industries leads to an affordable and certifiable solution ready by 2020.
Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has a new contract from Singapore
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus Airbus A330. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Air Force (RAF), United Arab Emirates Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force. As of 2013, 19 A330MRTT has been operating in full service: 5 MRTT at RAAF(Royal Australian Air Force), 3 MRTT at UAE Air Forces, 4 MRTT in Royal Saudi Air Force and 7 UK’ s A330 voyager in the Royal Air Force.
A330 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems: Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft, Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft, Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for probe-equipped receiver aircraft, Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle System Installation (UARRSI) for self in-flight refuelling
The refuelling aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will be equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. Australia has designated the aircraft KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and IOC capability achieved for Australian KC-30A.
UK’s A330 Voyager is currently the only operational tanker in RAF, carrying regular AT and AAR missions both in civil and military registers such as Civil AT: Air-Bridge Falklands Islands, Military AT: Air-Bridge to Afghanistan, AAR: Towlines in UK, Trails to deploy fighters, and quick reaction alert. There are two versions, designated Voyager KC2 and Voyager KC3; the former will be fitted with two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, the latter with a Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) in addition to the under-wing pods. None of the RAF aircraft are fitted with the Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS). In January 2004 the UK Ministry of Defence announced that a variant of the A330 MRTT had been selected to provide tanking service for the RAF for the next 30 years under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme, replacing the RAF’s existing L-1011 and VC10 tankers. The Ministry of Defence then began negotiations with the Air Tanker consortium.
The UAE MRTT will be equipped with both ARBS and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. The ARBS units installed on these tankers include a secondary boom hoist developed for the UAE. This system permits the boom to be retracted, even in the event of a primary boom retraction system failure. The UAE A330 MRTT is used for deployment of F16 fighters for the Red Flag 2014 exercise in Nevada.
Saudi Arabia finalised an agreement to purchase three A330 MRTT equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, on 3 January 2008. Royal Saudi Air Force A 330 MRTTs are used for deployment of F15 fighters to Green Flag 2013 exercise and Red Flag 2014 exercise in Nevada.
In February 2012, Singapore also expressed interest in the A330 MRTT to replace its four KC-135s. The Republic of Singapore Air Force selected the A330-200 MRTT in February 2014 over the Boeing KC-46. Signature of the contract for six aircraft was announced by Airbus on 7 February 2014. These aircraft will be fitted with Trent 772B engines and will be delivered after 2018.
With A330 MRTT, Airbus is in the final contact negotiations with Qatar, India and France and in competition at Korea.
A330 Aircrafts are being converted to MRTT
The A330 aircrafts from Toulouse are converted to MRTT at the Getafe facility with the conversion process of a single aircraft taking 10 to 11 months. At the present time all conversions are from the new A330 aircrafts but the same conversion can also take place for the A330s in inventories.
A 330 MRTT enhanced version covers new green aircraft with new structural, aerodynamics and avionics pack and upgrade of military modifications (Mission system upgrade, MPS upgrade, BOOM Upgrade 3, solutions for implementing IFF M5/ ADS- B, improvements in industrialization process). Prototype will start conversion in October 2015 and flight tests in second half of July 2016. Deliveries will commence in late 2017. All new A 330 MRTT customers will receive aircrafts with this new configuration.
Within the scope of the needs of Turkey, the KC Tanker Aircrafts are currently in the inventory of the Turkish Air Force. It is expected to replace these aircrafts from the inventory between 2018 and 2020. Therefore the replacement of these aircrafts with the new ones could take place in Turkey’s agenda in following years.
