Broadening the services capability is a priority for Airbus

Airbus has marked a new milestone in the company’s strategy to expand its services offer, adding a key customer for the Airbus Managed Inventory (AMI) solution.

At this week’s Singapore Airshow, the SIA Engineering Company signed for implementation of the AMI service – becoming its inaugural Asia-Pacific customer, as well as being the first for the solution’s “ownership” option, in which the managed parts are Airbus-owned until the moment they are required by the client.

“AMI is very important for our overall services road map, as it rounds out an offer that also includes such products as training and flight hour services,” explained Thomas Ehm, the Airbus Vice President for Material, Logistics and Suppliers.  “Building on the services strategy is something that Airbus has made a priority for the coming years.”

While expanding the services portfolio, Airbus also is growing its global footprint.  This includes the 2011 acquisition of Satair A/S, a leading aviation after-market distributor based in Denmark, whose assets significantly enhance Airbus’ aircraft material management capabilities.

Elsewhere, Sepang Aircraft Engineering – an Airbus subsidiary, and a member of its parent EADS group – provides Southeast Asian maintenance, repair and overhaul services covering airframe, component, engine and cabin refurbishment from its base at Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Airbus Media

Lockheed Martin’s Fighting Falcon Evolves With New F-16V

SINGAPORE, Feb. 15, 2012 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] unveiled a new version of the F-16 today at the Singapore Airshow. The F-16V will feature enhancements including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, an upgraded mission computer and architecture, and improvements to the cockpit – all capabilities identified by the U.S. Air Force and several international customers for future improvements.


With nearly 4,500 F-16s delivered, this is a natural step in the evolution of the world’s most successful 4th generation fighter.  The Fighting Falcon program has continually evolved as it began with the F-16 A/B as the lightweight fighter then transitioned to F-16 C/D and Block 60 versions as customers’ requirements changed.
AESA radars offer significant operational capability improvements.

Lockheed Martin has developed an innovative solution to affordably retrofit this key technology into existing F-16s.  The F-16V configuration is an option for new production jets and elements of the upgrade are available to most earlier-model F-16s. The “V” designation is derived from Viper, the name fighter pilots have called the F-16 from its beginnings.

“We believe this F-16V will satisfy our customers’ emerging requirements and prepare them to better interoperate with the 5^th generation fighters, the F-35 and F-22,” said George Standridge, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ vice president of business development. The F-16 is the choice of 26 nations. The F-16 program has been characterized by unprecedented international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace industries.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

Lockheed

The Airbus ACJ318 Corporate Jet and A330 MRTT aerial refueler come to Singapore

The diversity of Airbus’ jetliner product line is being highlighted at the Singapore Airshow with the presence of two very different aircraft in the static display area: an ACJ318 corporate jet for VIP travel; and the A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) for military aerial refueling and airlift duties.

Both the ACJ318 and A330 MRTT landed at Singapore’s Changi International Airport today, and taxied to the adjacent exhibition centre to join other aircraft participating in the biennial airshow.

The ACJ318 on display is operated by Abu Dhabi-based Al Jaber Aviation, and features comfortable and spacious seating found in well-appointed offices and homes – with a capacity for business or family groups of up to 19 passengers.  Included in the widest and tallest cabin of any corporate/business jet is a private office that converts to a bedroom.

As the newest – and smallest – member of Airbus’ corporate jet family, the ACJ318 has the broadest market appeal.   It is complemented by the longer-fuselage ACJ319, ACJ320 and A321, which typically offer seating for 19 to 50-plus passengers, depending on customer requirements.

The A330 MRTT brought to Singapore for display is outfitted in the UK Royal Air Force’s FSTA (Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft) configuration, with deployable aerial refueling hoses in the aft fuselage and under each wing.  In addition to its capability of “topping off” military aircraft while in flight, the FSTA can transport up to 290 personnel in the main cabin.

A total of 14 A330 MRTTs will be supplied by Airbus Military to the AirTanker company, which is to support operations of the aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force. 

Airbus

The Dreamliner FINALLY arrives Singapore for its tour debut

SINGAPORE, Feb. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's (NYSE:BA) new mid-size passenger airplane, the 787 Dreamliner, touched down here today for the Singapore Airshow. The airplane will be on static display Feb. 14 -17.

The Dreamliner demonstrated its long-range capabilities a few days ago, flying nonstop from Seattle's Boeing Field to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport -- a distance of 7,679 miles (12,358 km).
The 787, the first new airplane type of the 21st century, has garnered more than 800 orders from airlines around the globe. Singapore Airlines has 20 of the higher capacity 787-9s on order.

Made from lighter composite materials, the 787 is the first mid-size passenger airplane capable of flying nonstop to many more distant cities without having to go through a hub airport. That capability for a mid-size jet pleases not only passengers who would no longer need to detour to a hub airport, but also airlines who can establish long-haul routes previously served only by jumbo jets requiring many more passengers to be profitable.

The Dreamliner is in the midst of a six-month Dream Tour taking it around the world so customers and partners can experience the revolutionary jet first hand. The Dream Tour airplane, test plane ZA003, is outfitted with the 787's special cabin features including a welcoming entryway, dramatically larger dimmable windows, bigger bins and dynamic LED lighting. The airplane is configured with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.

 Aviation enthusiasts can follow the progress of the 787 tour at www.newairplane.com/787/dreamtour.

The Boeing 787, dubbed the "The Dreamliner"

• Is the first passenger airplane made from composite materials on a Southeast Asia on Dream Tour.
• Ability to fly long distance, point-to-point routes appeals to passengers wanting to avoid hub airports

Pictures are property of the Boeing company