The future of military technology was on display at the Paris Air Show, which also highlighted the concerted efforts made by European nations to remain at the forefront of technology. Future combat systems will be far more versatile and swing-role capable than ever before. While Turkey’s TF-X unveil showcased the impressive strides made by the Turkish defence industry, the future of air combat was showcased with the unveil of the European New Generation Fighter (NGF) and its Remote Carrier (RC) concept.
European New Generation Fighter
The European New Generation Fighter (NGF) and Remote Carriers models were unveiled to an expectant audience on the inaugural day of the Paris Air Show. The concept models were developed as part of the first Demonstrator Phase of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). France, Germany and Spain will now proceed with the European Demonstrator Phase, which will run between 2019 and mid-2021.
Dassault Aviation and Airbus expect a contract award for the first Demonstrator Phase by Q4 2019.
This will serve as a starting point for demonstrators and technology development for a New Generation Fighter (NGF), Remote Carriers (RC) and an Air Combat Cloud (ACC) to fly by 2026.
The FCAS will be much more than a combat aircraft and will be a system of systems consolidating a large array of interconnected and interoperable elements: a new generation fighter aircraft, unmanned MALE drones (medium-altitude, long endurance), the current aircraft fleet (which will still be in service after 2040), cruise missiles and drone swarms.
Turkey Unveils TF-X
Turkey’s next-generation indigenous TF-X fighter jet was also created waves at the air show and the impressive looking aircraft is part of a US$13 billion Turkish effort to offer a fifth-generation fighter to the international market.
The maiden flight of the TF-X is planned for 2025 and service entry is slated for 2028.
“We have promised to our nation that this will be the best fighter in Europe,” Temel Kotil, President and CEO of TAI, said. “As well as Turkey, hopefully this will also be a good fighter option for European allies.”
Turkey has signed an agreement with the UK in 2017 to facilitate the joint development the aircraft, it said, noting that BAE Systems is helping with the aircraft design, while Rolls-Royce teamed with Turkey’s Kale Group to work on the development of an indigenous engine for the TF-X.
Next Gen Weapons for Next Gen Aircraft
European missile major MBDA sprung a surprise, when it showcased a new range of futuristic missile concepts planned for the next generation of European air combat platforms. The new concepts are the result of ongoing studies in its domestic nations.
“MBDA’s vision for future air armaments is exhaustive and ambitious, and we are ready to take on the challenge to deliver to our domestic nations the full sovereignty of their future air combat systems by taking part in the definition and development of the armaments that these systems will operate,” said Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA.
Amongst the missiles unveiled were deep strike cruise missiles with advanced options to penetrate and open breaches in the most efficient A2AD (Anti Access Area Denial) deployments in the future.
MBDA is also showcasing its future tactical strike weapons with stand-off, networked and compact armaments. These new weapons will also be able to saturate enemy defences thanks to pack or swarm behaviours.
Airbus Helicopters H160M
An important new rotorcraft type that made its debut at the air show was the new Airbus Helicopters H160M. A full-scale mock-up of the H160M marked the first public display of the new type.
The H160M was selected as the new Joint Light Helicopter (HélicoptèreInterarmées Léger; HIL) for the French armed forces and is slated for service entry in 2026.
To be called ‘Cheetah’ in French military service, a total of 169 helicopters will be acquired by the army (80), air force (40) and navy (49).
The new H160M will replace 5 different rotorcraft fleets in operation with the French armed forces, namely; Gazelle (Army), Alouette III, Dauphin and Panther (Navy) and Fennec (Air Force).
The mock-up of the helicopter on display at Le Bourget was armed with an MBDA Sea Venom/AGL anti-ship missile and a 20 mm cannon on each wing pylon.
The H160M was formally unveiled by French Defence Minister Florence Parly during her visit to Airbus Helicopters’ Head Quarters at Marignane in May.
SriLankan Cargo, the freight division of SriLankan Airlines, has partnered with digital freight solutions provider CargoAi to enhance its airfreight…
Northrop Grumman has signed an agreement for access and use of NVIDIA AI software to accelerate development of some of…
The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $451 million contract to recapitalize additional M270 systems expanding its domestic fleet…
Japan Airlines announced the unveiling of a captivating special livery on its Boeing 787-8 aircraft (registration JA823J) for its international…
Airbus Defence and Space, leading the Eurodrone programme, has concluded the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) milestone. This achievement, overseen by…
Gauzy, a company specializing in vision and light control solutions, is gearing up to unveil its latest innovations at the…
The German Heron TP (GHTP), developed by UAV PEO at the Directorate of Defense Research and Development at the Israeli…
AirFi announced its partnership with United Enterprise (UE) to establish AirFi China, located at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, China.…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is likely to accept the continuation of the S26T submarine project with Chinese CHD 620…
The Indonesian Air Force (TNI Angkatan Udara / TNI AU) received its fifth and final C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at…
The all-new Gulfstream G700 has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification, following the aircraft's Federal Aviation Administration…
The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has confirmed that South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is entering Subic,…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has dispatched 1,380 personnel to partake in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2024 (CARAT…
The 737 MAX series aircraft has been added to its Dothan, Alabama MRO facility certification, Commercial Jet Services has said.…
Korean Air has been recognised for its food and beverage service by Global Traveler in the magazine’s 2024 Leisure and…
Fokker Next Gen, a liquid hydrogen powered commercial aircraft manufacturer that plans to produce aircraft both in the Netherlands and…
Sanad, wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), has unveiled a strategic transaction between itself and CFM…
Azzera, Inc. has been selected by Pratt & Whitney to supply carbon credits for Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Carbon Offset…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) is planning a procurement program for interim submarines to augment its fleet while awaiting the…
Calian Group Ltd., a diversified company specializing in healthcare, communications, learning, and cybersecurity products and services, has completed the acquisition…
Vietjet announces a series of special promotions aimed at travellers seeking summer adventures. The airline offers discounted tickets and daily…
EDGE Group has inked a contract valued at USD 27 million (AED 99 million) with Indonesian state-owned enterprise PT Pindad…
LanzaJet, Inc., a sustainable fuels technology company and producer, today announced the appointment of Doreen Pryor as Chief Financial Officer…
Transport Canada Civil Aviation has recently granted type certification to Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW545D engine, marking an important…
Airbus Helicopters and Babcock have secured a contract to provide support for 48 EC145s operated by the French Ministry of…
The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut / TNI AL) recently launched two Pari-class patrol vessels. Constructed by PT…
A delegation from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia / TUDM) is reportedly set to engage in…
VARD, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group based in Norway, secured a contract to construct two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels…
Leonardo announced the finalization of an agreement to sell its Underwater Armaments Systems (UAS) division to Fincantieri on Thursday. “The…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is partnering with Shift5 to integrate the company’s onboard cyber anomaly detection and predictive…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.