EADS, Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian, and Eurocopter demonstrate satellite, aircraft solutions
FARNBOROUGH, England, 10 July 2012. EADS and its Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian, and Eurocopter divisions are presenting a broad array of aviation innovations, including commercial and military aircraft, satellites, and secure communications systems, during the Farnborough International Airshow.
EADS’ presence at the airshow will be centered around a new two-tier Pavilion (Row OE13) near the Airbus static aircraft display. The static display features an Airbus A320 equipped with fuel-saving Sharklet devices on its wing-tips, an A318 Corporate Jet, and the A300-600ST Beluga aircraft used for transporting oversized cargo. A Portuguese Air Force C295 maritime patrol aircraft will also be present.
The double-decker Airbus A380 is returning to the Farnborough flying display along with Airbus Military’s A400M turboprop transport aircraft. Making its first appearance is Eurocopter’s EC175, a new medium twin-engine helicopter designed to offer mission versatility and set standards in offshore oil and gas operations, search and rescue, VIP/corporate transport, and other missions. A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon will also appear in the aerial display. EADS is a partner in the Eurofighter consortium.
In the exhibition area of the Pavilion, Airbus is presenting models of its future A350 XWB aircraft and C295 in Airborne Early Warning and Antisubmarine Warfare configurations. Eurocopter is presenting a model of the EC175 and the high-speed hybrid demonstrator, the X3. Astrium, the space division of EADS, is displaying a number of exhibits including a model of its Skynet 5 England military communications satellite system, as well as the airborne satellite communications terminal, AirPatrol. The latter is designed to provide end users with a light-weight, high-performance communications module that is compatible with all types of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Cassidian, the defense and security division of EADS, is demonstrating its capabilities in areas such as border security and surveillance, cyber security, and training services, particularly in the field of air systems. In the exhibition area, the so-called TouchLab system presents a border protection scenario in 3D to illustrate Cassidian’s role as a lead systems integrator.
EADS Innovation Works, which operates EADS’ Corporate Research & Technology laboratories around the world, display a variety of technologies likely to be incorporated widely in future aircraft designs. These include a model of a portable UAV produced using Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) technology, which is also known as 3D printing. The aircraft has been designed by students from the University of Leeds, England, in cooperation with EADS IW.
Courtney Howard | Executive Editor
Courtney, as executive editor, enjoys writing about all things electronics and avionics in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Military & Aerospace Electronics, Avionics Intelligence, the Avionics Europe conference, and much more. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, and on LinkedIn.