Avalon 2015

Equally, the biennial event attracts some of the world’s biggest names from industry (albeit with some notable absentees), with exhibitors from defence suppliers, technology companies and local SMEs mingling in Avalon’s three giant exhibition halls.

The 600 or so companies at Avalon were on top of a hundred or so official delegations – from the

And it seemed to have paid off, with $1. 25 billion worth of deals announced.

military, industry and science – on hand to see the latest technologies and seek a place in global aerospace supply chains.

Avalon Airshow chief executive Ian Honnery said the companies and trade visitors that came to the event were exposed to about $4 billion worth of defence contract opportunities.

And it seemed to have paid off for many, with $1. 25 billion worth of civil aviation, aerospace and defence deals announced at the event according to figures compiled by airshow organisers.

The highlight of the week was confirmation Thales had won a $600 million contract to commence work on the OneSky project, which aims to combine Australia’s civil and military air traffic management systems into one program.

At the official announcement of the OneSky contract, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews paid tribute to Australian innovation and ingenuity on display at Avalon.

“From time to time there are pessimistic pronouncements about the future of defence industry in Australia,” Andrews said on February 27.

“To come to this airshow and see what’s on display and what’son offer, and to see what’s been achieved in this announcement and the rollout of that over the coming years, shows a great deal of vitality in the defence industry in Australia and a very bright future. ” Alongside Andrews at the OneSky contract signing was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss, who said Avalon represented an opportunity for people to “see the latest and best” in the aviation industry.

“It’s a pleasure to be here at the Airshow,” Truss told reporters.

“Once again the world is bringing its best technology to Australia and indeed Australia’s leadership in so many areas of the aviation industry is on show.

“This is a very important occasion for Avalon and for the Australian aviation industry. ”Looking beyond OneSky, there was also plenty of excitement surrounding the world’s first 3D printed engine that was on display, produced by Monash University researchers working in collaboration with CSIRO and Deakin University.

Simon Marriott, managing director of Amaero Additive Manufacturing, the specialist engineering company created by Monash to make the technology available to Australian industry, said many were looking forward to the point where 3D printing would become the “third industrial revolution”.

“But that revolution will only take place when manufacturers embrace additive manufacturing with their existing manufacturing technologies, such as casting, machining and fabrication,” Marriott explained.

“When this is introduced into existing process lines andproduction facilities, we’ll see an acceleration of the technology into other industries, such as automotive, consumer electronics and IT products. ” Asked how long will it be until 3D printed jet engines were on aviation engine-makers’ production lines powering commercial and military aircraft, Marriott said: “It’s certainly at the forefront of engine manufacturers’ thinking. The French aerospace group Microturbo (Safran), based in Toulouse has been very proactive in looking at how additive manufacturing could transform its business model over the next five to 10 years. ” “With aerospace components, there’s an extremely detailed and extended certification and qualification process that needs to be adhered to before components are certified for flight. “Over the next five years, we will see pretty much all the manufacturers of aerospace components, both airframe and engine, exploring and experimenting with additive engineering to produce flight-ready components.

“There’s a lot of Australian government interest at research and production levels in what additive engineering can do for new development programs but also for maintenance of existing equipment such as high-wear components including bearing housings and rotor shafts, which could be repaired to a very high level then brought back into service very quickly. ” On the defence front, Andrews said Australia would cooperate with Norway on the development of the Joint Strike Missile for theF-35A Lighting II JSF due to enter service in 2018.

Lockheed Martin Australia won a contract to supply the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with a C-130J Hercules virtual maintenance trainer and multifunction training aid, Rockwell Collins announced it would provide the Australian Army with its latest generation Joint Fires Observer/Joint Terminal Attack Controller simulator and Raytheon Australia said it had secured a contract extension to support the RAAF F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet’s APG‑73 radar until December 2021.

Other new innovations from local firms featured at Avalon included a new Australian-designed stretcher from Brisbane-based Medical Rescue made from carbon fibre and high performance alloys that is less than half the weight of comparableproducts from other manufacturers.

The new stretcher has been tested to a 3. 5 tonne vertical static load, retaining its structural integrity, and features a ramp for easy aircraft loading of patients in a prone or upright position.

And QinetiQ Australia showcased its new crashworthy seats for the Australian Army’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

The seats, which were on public display for the first time, were developed as part of the main cabin upgrade (MCU) project for the Army Aviation Systems Program Office (AASPO).

Working on the logic that troops being transported in and out of theatre should have the same protection as helicopter pilots have had for years with seats and seatbelts, AASPO decidedBy any standards we play an important and unique role.

IAN HONNERYthe CH-47 Chinook’s red canvas wall-mounted seats should be replaced with properly engineered crashworthy seats.

Victorian Industry Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said at the Avalon opening ceremony the state government was committing $5 million to establish a Victorian Defence Procurement Office in Geelong, about 20 minutes west of Avalon, to promote to major global defence contractors the skills and capabilities of Victorian manufacturers.

“The industry component of the airshow is vital to promote Victoria’s status as Australia’s leading location for aviation, aerospace and defence businesses,” D’Ambrosio said.

Airshow chief executive Honnery said the event was a big part of the business development and economic growth in the aerospace and defence sector, adding that there was more to Avalon than just its world-famous flying displays.

“By any standards we play an important and unique role supporting Australian industry and promoting local know-how to the international marketplace,” Honnery said.

“As a not-for-profit organisation our mission is to provide a conduit between Australian technology innovators and service providers and the key international industry decision makers.

“We’re serious about the business of doing business, of bringing the world to Australia and taking Australia to the world. ”