Doing business at Avalon

Australian industry supporting defence

‘Avalon means business’ was the theme of this year’s event, and there was no shortage of it.

Among a plethora of announcements, non-announcements and news stories was the success of Australian firms securing roles in the F-35 project, demonstrating the value of the internationalisation of the Joint Strike Fighter and Australia’s participation in it.

Two examples announced at Avalon were Levett Engineering, which has delivered its first components for the F135 engine powering the F-35 under a contract with Pratt & Whitney. Levett, based in South Australia, manufactures second and third-stage turbine vane tubes and covers for the F135.

Meanwhile, Brenco has been contracted into the F-35 program to supply high velocity oxy-fuel special coatings to the main landing gear, nose gear and weapons bay actuators. The contract follows Melbourne-based Brenco’s accreditation by the Nadcap quality system underpinning its involvement in the F-35 program and becomes the first Australian company to be accredited by Nadcap for the special coatings process. These companies, new to the F-35 program, join 28 Australian firms supplying services valued at around US$280 million. Lockheed Martin’s vice-president of F-35 program integration Steve O’Bryan said at the airshow that the Australian aerospace industry was positioned to secure work in the program to the value of approximately US$5. 5 billion.

In addition to the F-35 program, Australian businesses continue to win valuable participation in other defence projects both in Australia and internationally.

Victoria-based Lovitt Technologies was awarded a contract from Boeing to supply machined parts to the global F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet. Under Boeing’s Global Supply Chain (GSC), Lovitt will build on its existing relationship with the manufacturer by which it supplies parts for the V-22 Osprey, Chinook and P-8 Poseidon.

CAE Australia announced it had won a contract to provide maintenance and engineering support to the RAAF’s AP-3C Orion simulator. CAE already provides training support services for the S-70B Seahawk, S-70A Black Hawk, C-130J and KC-30 aircraft, and will soon deliver services to the MRH 90.

International presence

As keen as Australian industry was to demonstrate its role in the global aviation supply chain, Avalon attracted strong international interest from defence and commercial manufacturers and operators.

Some 600 exhibitors from 21 countries participated in the event this year, even if some had a scaled-down presence and there were a few absentees such as Raytheon and Boeing in the exhibition halls.

The US contingent provided a strong showing of leading aerospace companies including Northrop Grumman, Transaero, Universal Avionics, Nordam and Viassat. The US pavilion also showcased US defence capabilities. US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich officially opened the pavilion, which became a centrepiece of activity during the trade event.

Lockheed Martin demonstrated its solution for the new Airservices/ Defence oneSky air traffic management (ATM) requirement, which is due to go to tender before the end of this year. Selex ES and Saab also promoted their ATM products, ensuring a strong competition of potential suppliers to Australia’s next-generation ATM service.

Canada’s Viking Air – the company producing the new variant of the venerable DHC-6 Twin Otter, announced during the airshow it had secured orders for six aircraft from Malaysia Airlines’ regional operations in Borneo.

In addition to the static displays in the exhibition halls, flying and non-flying aircraft were in plentiful supply.

The US Air Force was again strongly represented at Avalon this year with two F-22s, a C-17, KC-135, F-16 and B-52H. The F-22 Raptor’s debut flying display in Australia caught the imagination of even the most hardened airshow goer with its impressive high-G manoeuvres and thrust vectoring-enhanced agility.

Those who saw the Raptor in its debut performance at Avalon will be thankful as it may have been its last. The widespread defence budget cuts in the United States could mean flying displays by the F-16, Raptor and C-17 will be relegated to Avalon history, with all non-essential flying by US defence aircraft now suspended.

The Japan Air Self-Defence Force exhibited a KC-767 tanker briefly during the trade days, its crew showing interest in the RAAF’s KC-30.

A 757 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force also attended for an overnight stay during the trade exhibition, adding to a crowded flightline in the heavy aircraft hardstand. The Breitling Wing Walking Team in the end, however, walked a little less than planned, after one of the two Boeing Stearman aircraft made a forced landing in a nearby paddock due to engine trouble. The team was confident of being able to mount a solo display before both aircraft were expected to be performing their normal dual routine. But the team opted to withdraw from the flying display altogether after performing just one act on the first day.

General and business aviation

Two sectors that were upbeat, perhaps surprisingly given the fragility of each in the face of recent economic turmoil, were general aviation and corporate jets.

Hawker Pacific unveiled a succession of announcements securing its position in the region as one of

Australian businesses continue to win participation in defence projects.

the leading distributors of Diamond, Beechcraft and Bell products. Hawker Pacific opened the show with an announcement it had sold a Bell 429 helicopter, and soon confirmed it had renewed its dealership rights with Beechcraft, formerly Hawker Beechcraft, as the manufacturer emerges from Chapter 11. The contract will see Hawker Pacific continue to lead and represent Beechcraft products across South-East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

During the show the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) announced it had signed with Hawker Pacific to extend the term of supply of eight King Air 350 aircraft as a training platform for air combat officers.

Hawker Pacific’s high profile at Avalon culminated in it announcing the delivery of four Diamond DA-40s to Port Macquarie-based Arena Aviation.

GippsAERO showcased the yet-to-be-certified GA10, a larger turbine version of the popular GA8 that has sold well in overseas markets. Based on this success and with an eye to sell the new GA10 in the US market, GippsAERO is certifying the 10-seat aircraft with a Rolls-Royce 250B turboprop engine to FAR23 standards.

In the corporate jet market, attendees at Avalon this year were treated with one of the show’s largest representations of business jets from the Embraer Phenom 100 to an Airbus ACJ319.

Competition in the large cabin market was played out in a near ‘clash of the titans’ sequel, with Gulfstream and Airbus each vying for business between the similarly-dimensioned brand new G650 and ACJ319 respectively. Gulfstream in particular reported strong interest in the company’s new flagship G650 – the 6,500nm-range jet being well-suited to Australia’s geographic location and the jet’s exceptional performance.

Embraer exhibited its Lineage 1000 corporate jet, a derivative of the popular E190 in service with Virgin Australia, while Bombardier showcased its new Global 6000 jet.

Defence

For an aircraft that wasn’t even at Avalon, the F-35 certainly dominated discussion. News of the Joint Strike Fighter’s precautionary grounding after the revelation of cracks in the J135 engine’s turbine blades dampened what was intended to be the highlight of current defence projects at the airshow. While the unfortunate timing of the grounding clouded Lockheed Martin’s and Pratt & Whitney’s rally cries to the aircraft’s increasing successes, industry representatives and more than 75 senior military personnel were briefed on the project’s progress.

In a highly candid speech, the new US Department of Defense executive officer responsible for the F-35 program said: “The first point I’d like to make overall is: don’t expect me to be a cheerleader for the F-35 program. That’s not my job. My job is to execute the program. ” The refreshing remarks from Lieutenant General Chris Bogdan put in clear perspective the challenges still facing the program, but significantly, the solutions to remedy the facts and perceptions around the Joint Strike Fighter program.

Before the end of the trade delegations, however, the F-35 flight suspension had been lifted.

Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith, meanwhile, announced the RAAF’s KC-30 multi-role tanker transport – a derivative of the Airbus A330 – had achieved initial operating capability. He, together with Wing Commander Geoff Fox of 33SQN, said the KC-30 would now need to prove successful operation of the aircraft’s troubled refuelling boom before achieving full operating capability. Fox said it was “a big body of work for the RAAF” and that they are working with Airbus Military to resolve outstanding issues before final operating capability can be achieved (see full report in Preflight this issue).

Despite the media report suggesting he would, what Smith didn’t announce was a letter of request for Australia’s re-entry into the US Navy’s UAV Broad Area Maritime Surveillance development program, a prelude to a potential order for Northrop Grumman’s Triton UAV, which was on display in full size model form outside the exhibition halls. “No decision has yet been made (on the Triton),” he said at the airshow.

More decisive was Beechcraft, which is eyeing the AIR 5428 competition for Australia’s new pilot training platform. The company exhibited its T-6C, which will be its proposal to replace the PC-6 training aircraft. The T-6C features a hard-point wing, integrated glass cockpit and advanced avionics suit, which Beechcraft said “expands advanced training opportunities”. Nearly 800 T-6s have been delivered to air forces worldwide.

The Kamov Ka-32 comes to this country with a sound engineering pedigree. CASA’S JOHN MCCORMICK

Russian flavour

Russian aircraft and helicopter manufacturers are making a strong bid for a foothold in the Australian market as part of a much larger effort by the country’s government-backed aerospace industry to re-establish a global presence.

In a promising sign for Russian manufacturers, the Ka-32 A11BC utility helicopter has attained Australian certification, paving the way for its use as a potent aerial firefighting platform.

During the airshow CASA’s director of aviation safety, John McCormick, participated in an official announcement of the aircraft’s certification and availability in Australia at which time he said: “The Kamov Ka-32 comes to this country with a sound engineering pedigree and an enviable record for rugged reliability – justly earned in firefighting operations in 30 countries around the world and now we trust, also in Australia.

“We welcome the Kamov Ka-32 to Australian shores, to take its place among the growing fleet of firefighting helicopters, on which an increasing level of reliance is being placed. ” In introducing the Ka-32, Russian Helicopters said: “The Ka-32 can tackle virtually all types of fires both on the ground and in high-rise buildings by deploying a collapsible ‘Bambi Bucket’ or water cannon.

Coaxial rotors make the Ka-32 the only helicopter in its class that can execute difficult manoeuvres with a high degree of accuracy, and hover with great stability even in turbulent atmospheric conditions. ” The National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) expressed interest in the Ka-32’s capabilities following the announcement, which could well see the aircraft added to the aerial firefighting capabilities in future summer seasons (see Aerial Ag this issue).

Following the success of the Ka-32’s launch, Russia’s ambassador to Australia attended a round-table during which Russian aviation manufacturers outlined their products and discussed issues of mutual interest to the Russian and Australian aviation communities.

Regional Aviation Association of Australia chairman Jeff Boyd, who attended the meeting, said the Russian companies appeared extremely motivated to get their products into the Australian market. “The Russians are very, very keen,” he said. But Boyd acknowledged that the companies still faced obstacles.

“The impression of Russian engineering in Australia hasn’t been really good,” he said. “So people want to see their products get out there and get established. That’s really their biggest hurdle, to get the product out there in the region. ” Boyd said the headline Russian offering – the 100-seat Sukhoi Superjet – could hold some real appeal for operators of fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) services in particular. “A lot of the FIFO aircraft are, in general, a bit older. So there might be an opening there,” he said.

Igor Syrtsov, Sukhoi’s senior vice-president for customer affairs, said the company was targeting both the FIFO and regional aviation markets and indicated a willingness to be aggressive on pricing. “The price is not so important,” he said. “In addition, our operational and maintenance costs are much lower than the competition. ” But the Superjet program has been marred by a number of high-profile problems that may scare off potential Australian customers at least until it is better established. Though a fatal Superjet crash during a demonstration flight in Indonesia last year has been blamed on pilot error, Russia’s Aeroflot grounded four of its 10 Superjets over technical problems.

Syrtsov dismissed those incidents as ordinary growing pains less serious than those encountered by Boeing’s 787 and said the delivery of the first of 12 Superjets to Indonesia’s Sky Aviation represented an opportunity to begin building the jet’s reputation regionally and internationally.

While Syrtsov acknowledged that it might take some time to win over the Australian market, he said the company was also exploring opportunities to partner with Australian companies on the manufacture of parts and information technology solutions that could bear fruit more quickly.

“We are open to all kinds of opportunities to build our presence in this market,” he said.

Innovators recognised

Amid the sales hyperbole and strategic discussions about the future of aerospace in Australia, Avalon 2013 introduced the inaugural Aerospace Australia Industry Innovation Awards.

Five Australian innovators were presented with awards:

• National Defence Innovation Award – BAE Systems Australia
• Defence Industry SME Innovation Grant – Tricon Defence
• Defence Industry Innovation Scholarship – Luke Vandewater, DSTO
• National Civil Industry Innovation Award – TAE Gas Turbines
• Civil Industry Innovation Scholarship – Ray Vidler, TAE Gas Turbines

Avalon 2013 CEO Ian Honnery said: “Although highly prestigious awards for excellence in engineering, industrial design and business already exist, ours are the first national awards to recognise and reward the efforts and achievements of innovative Australian companies and individuals in the aerospace industry. ” “Our purpose as a foundation is to promote the development of Australia’s industry capacity in the fields of aerospace, defence, maritime and IT so we’re putting our money – literally – where our mouth is,” said Honnery.

The Innovation Awards, including the SME innovation grants and individual innovation scholarships worth $10,000 were established last year by Aerospace Australia.