World AirNews June 2018

INDUSTRY
NEWS
ENGINE INTEGRATION
COLLABORATION
AGREEMENT
AIRSHOW
SOFEX 2018
SURPRISES
Sam J Basch reports from Amman, Jordan
A
IRBUS AND Rolls-Royce have signed a
collaboration agreement for the integration of
Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan demonstrator for flight testing. The
integration solutions demonstration will be co-funded
by Clean Sky 2, the European Union research programme
focused on developing technology to reduce emissions.
UltraFan is a scalable jet engine design suitable for widebody
or single-aisle aircraft and offers a 25 percent fuel
efficiency improvement over the first-generation of Rolls-
Royce Trent engine.
One element of the UltraFan programme is planning for
ground and flight tests, and to support this Rolls-Royce has
signed an agreement with Airbus to provide both nacelle
and engine/aircraft integration architecture and technology
enablers.
Airbus’ integration solutions will play an important part in
achieving the overall fuel efficiency improvement of higher
bypass ratio engines such as UltraFan, through innovative
architecture and associated technologies.
Axel Flaig, Airbus Head of Research
and Technology, said: “This technology
development programme with Rolls-
Royce is a key project for Airbus to pave
the way towards the next generation
integrated propulsion systems that will
be needed by airline customers towards
the end of the next decade. “
“We thank the Clean Sky 2 European
funding programme for its strong
support to this project which is a
key contributor towards the ACARE
environmental targets.”
Andy Geer, Rolls-Royce, Chief
Engineer and Head of Programme - UltraFan, said: “This is
another step forward in our UltraFan engine journey and it
is great to have Airbus expertise to further strengthen our
ability to deliver this important development programme.
“We remain very grateful to Clean Sky 2 for its continued
recognition of the environmental benefits that UltraFan will
bring.”
UltraFan features a new engine core architecture and leanburn
combustion system which will contribute to improved
fuel burn efficiency and lower emissions, along with a
carbon titanium fan blade system and composite casing
which reduce weight.
The engine also introduces a geared design to deliver
efficient power at high-bypass ratios.
For Airbus, the project will enable it to fully integrate the
overall power plant system – composed of engine, pylon and
nacelle – on to future long-range aircraft products, as well as
facilitating scalability for future short-range aircraft.
It will also build on Airbus’ expertise in advanced
manufacturing technologies, such as high-deposition-rate
additive manufacture, welded assembly and high production
rate thermoplastics. Q
BLACK HAWK TAKE OFF DEMONSTRATION
FOR A special operaons forces exhibion, Sofex 2018 held
recently in Amman, Jordan, at the King Abdullah I air base
once again succeeded in surprising visitors and delegates.
This year the main feature was the newly delivered Mil Mi-26T2,
the largest helicopter in the world. It dwarfed all other aircra on
stac display, even the vising US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey and
of course, a ny Robinson R44 Raven II from Jordan’s Golden Eagle
Aviaon Academy.
Jordan’s air force is expecng another three of these giant
helicopters manufactured by Rostvertol, part of Russian Helicopters.
The T2 is a significantly upgraded version, operated by a crew
of two and powered by a pair of engines developing 12 500 hp
each. It is able to li loads of up to 20 tons, including more than
80 troops or vehicles that can be driven straight into the cavernous
hold.
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) has also taken delivery of
the AT-802i Air Tractor, of which the first of six was ungraded for
increased armament loads. This type is operated by numerous
countries for surveillance and light aack missions, ranging from
Argenna, Burkina Faso, Egypt and Indonesia to Yemen and the
United Arab Emirates. Kenya intended acquiring 12 of these aircra
for counter-insurgency operaons but a contract is yet to be
finalised.
An interesng aircra on display was the RJAF’S twin-turboprop
PZL Mielec M28 Skytruck. It was developed from the Antonov
An28, with new models coming from the Mielec plant in Poland,
AT-802I AIR TRACTOR
now owned by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Marn company. With a maximum
payload of 2 300 kg and range of 1 600 km, the STOL aircra
can carry 19 passengers (or 17 paratroops). In the US the Army
Special Operaons Command (AFSOC) has designated it C-145A
Skytruck. South Africa’s Civil Aviaon Authority has approved the
M28 STOL aircra for commercial operaons.
Sofex opened with a taccal demonstraon witnessed by King
Abdullah II and a large gathering of invited guests and delegates.
It took the form of a special operaons forces (SOF) team eliminang
several “insurgents” in a mock-up village. A quick fire fight
followed the SOF operaves dropped from Black Hawk UH-60L
helicopters while Cobra AH-1F helicopters patrolled above. Two
Jordanian Air Force F-16 AM fighter jets provided the necessary
show of force.
The Cobra AH-1F was recently upgraded in terms of its airframe,
avionics and weapons. The model on display featured a seven-round
70 mm rocket launcher and will also be carrying Hellfire
missiles.
Another surprise was the RJAF showing for the first me its CH-
4B armed unmanned aerial vehicle from China Aerospace Science
and Technology Corporaon (CASC). Several other naons in the
region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt now also operate
this UAV system.
Similarly, Jordan acquired the Pilatus PC-21 flown by some of its
neighbours. First deliveries of these advanced trainers started
last year. The RJAF also displayed its new Grob G 120TP, which
replaced the Slingsby Firefly basic trainer.
Now well-established on the global calendar, Sofex regularly
aracts close to 400 exhibitors from 57 countries worldwide.
PILATUS PC-21
World Airnews | June 2018
— 68 —