Airbus A350 XWB at the show

MiG-29, Polish Air Force

Bluecopter from Airbus Group

THOR prototype at ILA Airshow 2016

Eurofighter Typhoon

With its numerous innovations and advanced technologies, the ILA Berlin Air Show 2016 demonstrated the capabilities and achievements of the global aerospace industry. A wide range of the latest high-tech products as well as research and development projects were displayed by the 1,017 exhibitors from 37 countries. During this four-day event, 1,50,000 trade visitors and members of the public thronged the 2,50,000 square-metre Berlin Expo Centre Airport. ILA 2016 was organised by the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) and Messe Berlin GmbH.

Some 200 aircraft were featured in the static and flying displays. For the professionals, there were 50 conferences providing details about the latest developments in the industry. Digitalisation and 3D printing, Industry 4.0 and eco-efficiency were among the main themes. The many high-tech products on view at the new Future Lab on the stand of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs provided insights into the technological future of the aerospace industry. The Start-up Day was another new feature this year that enabled 50 newly established companies to present their creative ideas and business models which have the potential to benefit the aerospace industry in the future.

Volker Thum, Chief Executive of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI), said, “ILA 2016 is synonymous with innovation and leadership in aerospace. It dealt selectively with forward-looking topics in our outward looking industry, including sustainability, digitalisation, 3D printing and Industry 4.0. I am particularly pleased with the entirely positive feedback from our exhibitors from all over the world. The wide and varied programme of flying displays provided impressive proof of the fascination exerted by our products.”

New Airbus Flagship – the A350 XWB

Highlights of the flying display this year included the new Airbus flagship, the A350 XWB, and the A320neo, fitted with new and more environmentally friendly engines. The tanker and transport aircraft, the Airbus A330 MRTT, made its debut at the ILA. Visitors have been able to inspect the world’s two largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380 in Emirates livery and a Boeing 747-8 from the Lufthansa. The Bluecopter from Airbus Helicopters represented a new generation of helicopters.

One of the big attractions was the demonstration flights of the Swiss national team. For many years Patrouille Suisse has been using the ILA for one of its rare foreign appearances. There were also breathtaking displays by individual aircraft: a German Air Force Eurofighter, a MiG-29 from the Polish Air Force and a Chinook heavy-lift helicopter from Boeing. The highlight of the presentation by the Bundeswehr was provided by the various displays offering impressive proof of the range of capabilities of military aviation. THOR from Airbus is the first aircraft to be produced almost entirely by 3D printing. Numerous unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for civilian and military use were also on show at ILA 2016. Multicopters were deployed in the first Copter Race to be held at the show in which these miniature remote-controlled aircraft flew around a course at speeds of up to 100 kmph.

Space Pavilion

The International Suppliers’ Centre (ISC) was the ideal marketing platform for the entire supply industry with a substantial increase in international involvement and the participation of many more leading decision-makers compared with the last ILA. One of the main highlights was the Space Pavilion, which provided trade visitors and the public with graphic illustrations of the benefits that space research offers mankind. In the mission pavilion, the Bundeswehr and the military aircraft industry demonstrated the effective cooperation that ensures the operational capabilities of their aircraft. The German Aerospace Centre impressed with its fleet of research aircraft and details about its full range of research projects.

Airbus Defence and Space on the Moon?

The space and military division of Airbus may soon be landing on the moon. It has signed an agreement to cooperate with the European Space Agency (ESA) and its Russian counterpart Roscosmos to develop a device that will make moon landings more precise. This was announced by Francois Auque, Executive Vice President Space Systems, at the ILA 2016. This collaboration is part of a vision by the name of ‘Moon Village’ which was developed a few months ago by the Director General of ESA Jan Wörner.

Satellite Communication

The new technologies that have been developed for communication satellites are exploring the limits of mobility and accessibility. In some 20 experiments involving communication, antenna and satellite systems the Heinrich Hertz test platform will be subjecting innovative technologies to extreme conditions that are found in space such as high levels of radiation, massive temperature fluctuations and weightlessness. The satellite was on show.

Boeing Eyeing Bundeswehr Helicopter Contract

Following Sikorsky, a second bidder to supply the successor to the CH-53G heavy-lift helicopter to the Bundeswehr, made use of the ILA to present itself. If the Bundeswehr decides in favour of the Chinook, it would be the ninth NATO country to operate this helicopter, according to Michael Hostetter, Director Vertical Lift Programs Germany for Boeing.

Alternative Fuels

The Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels project (ECLIF) analyses the emissions of alternative fuels using various methods such as by combustion in a laboratory, on combustion chamber test beds and by measuring emissions during flight tests. At ILA, a liquid fuel combustion device in combination with a screen presentation was presented on how different alternative fuels display different combustion characteristics for use in aviation.

Part Drone, Part Airship

At ILA, hybrid-airplane from Baden-Baden displayed the prototype of an eco-friendly hybrid aircraft, the world debut of this device. The first impression of H-AERO is of a flying saucer. In actual fact it is a mini-airship filled with helium and propelled by two solarpowered electric motors. The patented aircraft is three metres wide and has a five-metre wingspan, with the electric motors attached to the wings. Its overall weight is ten kg and the maximum payload is three kg. Designed by Csaba Singer, the aircraft can fly to over 2,000 metres and can remain airborne for unlimited periods.

Copter Race Drones

Radio-controlled multicopters, also known as drones, have changed the face of the model aircraft racing scene. At ILA, the German Model Aircraft Association (DMFV) set up a course measuring 30 by 20 metres for daily copter races. The aircraft, most of which are homemade, flew through gates at speeds of up to 100 kmph, guided by pilots wearing video goggles.

Royal Navy Black Cats

The two Royal Navy AgustaWestland Wildcat helicopters, painted in black and grey, were among the special attractions of the flying display. The primary role of these helicopters is search and rescue or submarine warfare. Their agile handling also make them ideal for flying displays of the kind currently being performed over Schönefeld. This year’s display pilots were Lt Cdr David Lilly and Lt Chris Rebbeck.

Rolls-Royce Signs Declaration

For its planned production of Trent XWB engines for the Airbus A350 in Dahlewitz, Brandenburg, Rolls-Royce intends to introduce various elements from Industry 4.0 and to set up a smart factory. A declaration of intent to investigate possibilities for a joint venture was signed by Alastair McIntosh, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Germany and Martin Eves, a member of the management board of QiO, in the presence of the Brandenburg Minister for Economic Affairs Albrecht Gerber.

MTU Bets on Geared Turbofans

Digitisation and interconnection help to increase the pace of innovation, according to Reiner Winkler, Chairman of the Board of MTU Aero Engines. This engine manufacturer is concentrating on improving performance even further in its core areas of high pressure compressors and low pressure turbines. For the next 20 years, the geared turbofan that has been developed jointly with Pratt & Whitney, will remain the dominant power plant. Winkler reports that the initial software problems with the PW1100G for the Airbus A320neo have now been resolved and the delay in introducing these engines has been reduced by means of a physical fix and software support the production of the Eurofighter powered by the EJ200, which is manufactured by the Eurojet consortium, can be safeguarded after 2020.