With record numbers exhibiting and hundreds of thousands of visitors attending the public days of the event, the Farnborough show sent out a clear signal that the affection of the aerospace industry is strong as ever, and also that business is firmly back in its tracks

When people who matter have something to say, it is worth listening to.

This issue of SP’s Aviation carries impressions and opinions of a number of key industry people.

Lockheed Martin caters to the security needs of defence forces across the world. In the backdrop of the Farnborough International Airshow 2010 in London, Ralph Heath, President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics spoke to SP’s Aviation about the capabilities of the company. The President of Boeing Military Aircraft, Chris Chadwick, also spoke at length about the company’s growing presence in the international market. Chadwick says the Indian market has the right customer who is extremely smart and understands what fighting in wars is all about.

On the civilian front, the President of Boeing India, Dinesh Keskar, is upbeat. Boeing wants to address the needs of the Indian market with its fleet of aircraft. The company believes increased passenger movement in the country will entail an additional requirement of 1,150 aircraft between now and 2029.

Tommy Dunehew, Vice President, Business Development Global Mobility Systems Boeing C-17 ‘Globemaster III’ spoke about the unique C-17. Dunehew feels the Indian Air Force (IAF) can participate in Boeing’s Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership (GSP), a public /private agreement designed around the concept of performance-based logistics where the customer pays for readiness, not specific parts or services.

The interviews aside, this issue also brings to you firsthand reports–Alan Peaford reports from the Farnborough International Airshow 2010, the biggest air show of the year. With record numbers exhibiting and hundreds of thousands of visitors attending the public days of the event, the Farnborough show sent out a clear signal that the affection of the aerospace industry is strong as ever, and also that business is firmly back in its tracks.

Back home, with the distinction between pirates and maritime terrorists becoming more blurred, the ‘Search at sea’ article argues it is little wonder that there are ever-increasing demands for maritime air surveillance both in the littorals and high seas. This issue’s Forum piece asserts that the key to comprehensive air defence capability lies in the ability to provide seamless, multi-layered, round-the-clock, radar cover for the entire airspace of the national territory and adjoining areas.

We look forward to the comments of our valuable readers.