From a military perspective, there was much anticipation to see the joint strike fighter (JSF) F-35B Lightning II, the new multi-role fighter, make its international debut at Farnborough. However, that did not happen. The US Department of Defense did not give it safety clearance as there was an unexplained fire on the aircraft three weeks earlier. However, the show had several highlights, particularly with several companies introducing innovative technologies for the first time.

The United Kingdom (UK), the host country, took the lead with the Prime Minister announcing on day one of the show that investments to the tune of £1.1 billion would be made to upgrade capabilities of the armed forces that would include £800 million for a new surveillance package and another £300 million for a new ice patrol ship and radar.

He also announced the setting up of a UK Defence Solutions Centre in Farnborough to develop new defence technologies, identify future market opportunities and work together to ensure they have the products and solutions that will be in demand. The global defence market is estimated to be worth around £82 billion a year until 2022.

Kallman Inc brought the largest US contingent of aerospace and defence companies, while there was scaled down presence of Russian military in the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis.

Boeing Defense Solutions to the Fore

Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), which showcased technologies that it could export, signed an agreement with Paramount Group, Africa’s largest privately-owned defence and aerospace business, to jointly exploit defence and security opportunities in key international markets. The areas include border security, heavy airlift of products and personnel across vast distances, coastal piracy and anti-poaching, disaster and humanitarian relief as part of future coalition efforts.

“Boeing and Paramount will be able to provide new and existing customers with a unique partnering of defence solutions and capabilities, including the retrofitting or refurbishment of existing platforms, systems integration as well as training and maintenance support for any new acquisitions,” said Chris Chadwick, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security.

Lockheed Martin Moves into UK Space

Lockheed Martin announced that it is opening a space technology office in Great Britain to explore partnership opportunities with UK businesses and universities to support the UK’s goal of maintaining and growing its national capabilities in space. The new office will expand the company’s relationships with the UK supply chain to share technology and expertise as well as support UK-based capabilities in space exploration and access. It will also explore new technologies from small businesses and academia. Current areas of focus include environmental monitoring, space exploration, global security and small communications satellites.

Tactical Moves by Airbus

Airbus Defence and Space presented the A400M on the ground and in the air. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, the A400M is not just suited to tactical and strategic/logistical missions, but also for special operations and air-to-air refuelling. The first A400M for the UK’s Royal Air Force is due to be delivered in the autumn of 2014 and the second by the year end.

On static display, Airbus had two C-295s, new generation, highly versatile tactical airlifters. The C-295 is able to carry up to nine tonnes of payload or 71 personnel and has a maximum cruise speed of 480 kmph. Airbus also presented the “Atlante” Unmanned Aerial System, a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) tactical multi-payload unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), designed to carry out target identification, shoot correction and damage evaluation operations, among other intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

Textron Brings Scorpion

Europe got a first look at Textron’s Scorpion, multi-mission aircraft, Scorpion, a light attack intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. Another Textron company, Bell Helicopter, had a fruitful outing signing a purchase agreement with INAER France an Avincis Group operator for a Bell 429 in Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) configuration.

Thales Showcases Range

Thales had several products and solutions on display and it released details of the new Thales Optronique targeting pod ‘Talios’ for the French Air Force. Designed as a follow-on to its Damocles targeting pod, the open architecture and sensor payload allow Talios to operate as a multi-function pod, dealing with target acquisition and designation through to non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks.

Rafael’s Concept Talk

The Israeli giant Rafael for the first time talked about TopLite multi-high definition electro-optical system (EOS), the most advanced version of the TopLite family of ISR and targeting systems for airborne, maritime, ground, homeland security and defence applications. It allows unique operational capabilities supplemented by additional state-of-the-art advanced image processing algorithms and applications.

Raytheon’s Range

Precision weapons, advanced gunfire detectors, tiny jammers and a bus-size radar that tracks missiles as they hurtle through space, were all part of Raytheon’s technology showcase. The display included avionics and weapons with recent major contract awards such as the US Navy’s air and missile defence radar and the Navy’s next generation jammer.

“Developing a common understanding of the complexity of the security challenges in today’s global environment is the first step towards building a strong customer relationship,” explains Thomas A. Kennedy, CEO, Raytheon. “The Farnborough International Airshow has historically provided us with an ideal opportunity to showcase our technology and product portfolio to customers from around the world. Defining the right mix of cost-effective solutions to support our customers’ needs drives solid business partnership and shared success.”

OIS Aerospace Platforms

OIS Aerospace displayed its all-new aircraft, helicopter & avionics simulator development platform for India. Other lead announcements by OIS AeroSpace included its strategic relationship with Logic SpA of Italy for its industry leading avionics as its OEM in India and the debut of its SkyArrow based ‘iObserver’ homeland security surveillance platform. OIS also presented the hand-held micro, mini, fixed-wing UAVs and quad copters for both surveillance and tactical monitoring applications. The Group has developed the world’s first true 3D bird detection radar which exceeds FAA’s recommended specifications for bird detection for flight safety. The product has completed trials in pursuit of the Indian Air Force tender of 45 bird detection radars, the world’s largest such opportunity.

Sanjay Bhandari, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, said R&D lies at its heart as the Group continues to push ahead with its development programmes and products such as its advanced synthetic aperture foliage detection radar.

BAE Focus on Taranis

BAE Systems and the British Ministry of Defence demonstrated several new radar-evading stealth technologies during recent flight trials of their Taranis drone programme. Under development since 2006, Taranis is a once-secret developmental stealthy drone programme jointly funded by BAE Systems and the UK’s Ministry of Defence. Other industry participants include engine-builder Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.

With the announcements by the British Prime Minister, there appears to be fresh momentum to technology initiatives and partnerships.