AIRBUS SPACE AND DEFENCE

The Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) has granted the Voyager Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) clearance for the A400M using the centreline hose and drogue system, known as the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU). The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the only MRTT customer to make use of this system, which is used to refuel large probe-equipped aircraft such as the A400M or C295. For more info: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/news/en/2020/10/a330-mrtt-and-a400m.html

The first two Airbus Pléiades Neo satellites will soon be heading to the launch pad in French Guyana. Their launch is now scheduled for very early 2021. 30cm satellite imagery from Airbus is coming to the market! The countdown has started.

Airbus has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the Mars Sample Return’s Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) – the first ever spacecraft to bring samples back to Earth from Mars. Mars Sample Return (MSR) is a joint ESA-NASA campaign and the next step in the exploration of Mars. The five year mission will see the spacecraft head to Mars, act as a communication relay with the surface missions, perform a rendezvous with the orbiting samples and bring them safely back to Earth. To be launched on an Ariane 6 in 2026, the 6 ton, 6 m high spacecraft, equipped with 144m² solar arrays with a span of over 40 m – some of the biggest ever built – will take about a year to reach Mars. It will use a mass-efficient hybrid propulsion system combining electric propulsion for the cruise and spiral down phases and chemical propulsion for Mars orbit insertion. For more info: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/10/airbus-to-bring-first-mars-samples-to-earth-esa-contract-award.html https://www.airbus.com/space/space-exploration/earth-return-orbiter.html #Mars #SpaceExploration #MarsSampleReturn

Airbus has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as one of the two primes for the definition phase of the European Large Logistic Lander (EL3). In this study (phase A/B1), Airbus will develop the concept of a large multi-role logistic lander able to transport up to 1.7 tons of cargo to any location on the lunar surface. EL3 flights are set to begin in the late 2020s, with a cadence of missions over the following decade and more. For more info: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/10/airbus-selected-for-esas-moon-lander-study.html

FCAS is a complete combat System of Systems leveraging the collaborative capabilities of connected assets. The rise of Integrated Air Defence Systems (IADS) is leading to more complex and challenging operational environments and at the same time we have seen a decline in the numbers of increasingly sophisticated Western combat aircraft, meaning fewer assets are available for operational duty. When both trends combined, Western air forces are at risk of not being able to field sufficient combat mass to defeat an adversary’s IADS. Teaming of manned combat aircraft with unmanned systems is one way of addressing this situation, whilst bringing the additional benefit of reducing the risk to the pilots. To effectively orchestrate the use of these assets, there is a strong push for Manned-Unmanned Teaming technologies, a field in which Airbus holds a leading position. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/stories/Manned-Unmanned-Teaming-and-Remote-Carriers-transcending-individual-assets-capabilities.html #FCAS #Defence #FutureAirPower

A demo of the OneAtlas mobile app allows users to search and order imagery, select analytic services, receive notifications and more. Learn more at: www.oneatlas.airbus.com/mobile-app

The first two Pléiades Neo satellites are qualified and ready for launch – despite covid challenges and in line with what we promised four years ago. They are in final preparation for their departure to the Guyana Space Centre, with launch now planned with Vega, in early 2021. https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/news/en/2020/10/pliades-neo-set-for-launch-in-early-2021.html

The Luxembourg Armed Forces have taken delivery of its Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, which was accepted at the A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville (Spain) and has performed a ferry flight. The aircraft, known as MSN104, will be operated by the Luxembourg Armed Forces and Belgium within a binational unit, together with the seven A400M ordered by Belgium, which is due to receive its first aircraft in the coming weeks. With this delivery, Luxembourg becomes the seventh A400M operator. The A400M recently achieved additional capabilities such as simultaneous paratrooper dispatch for a maximum of 116 paratroopers using the side doors, automatic low level flight in visual meteorological conditions (the only military transport aircraft with this capability), and aerial delivery and combat off-load that allows a single 16-tonne load to be dropped automatically via parachute extraction. In addition, 25 tonnes can be gravity dropped and the manual combat offload of up to 19 tonnes on pallets (one pass) or 25 tonnes (two passes) on an unpaved runway is possible, which is unprecedented. With regards to helicopter air-to-air refuelling operations, the A400M recently achieved the first successful wet contacts with a H225M helicopter. #A400M #Luxembourg #Aviation

Discover the High Accuracy Map Extraction Capability, available in OneAtlas, that provides high accuracy map extraction of 10+ class land use solutions, including building footprints, roads and more. 🔗 Learn more at: oneatlas.airbus.com #HighAccuracyMapExtraction #GeospatialAnalysis #OneAtlas

Canada’s dedicated search and rescue (SAR) crews regularly put their lives on the line, relying on aircraft to overcome the significant challenges presented by dangerous weather and terrain. ✈️ The requirements for Canadian SAR aircraft have been well-documented – from demanding mountain contour search, Arctic and North Atlantic storms, to extreme temperatures, icing and precipitation. Airbus-built C295, which has been selected for the country’s Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Program, is perfectly suited to these duties. This video is an exclusive tour inside and outside the latest generation of this versatile aircraft that Canada just welcomed in their fleet. Learn More: https://www.airbus.com/defence/c295/C295FWSAR.html #C295 #SearchAndRescue #Aviation

Highest air to surface firepower Strategic attack Suppression of air defences Close air support Strike coordination More info: https://www.airbus.com/defence/eurofighter.html

Scenario: Quick reaction alert More info: https://www.airbus.com/defence/eurofighter.html

Feature: Most modern sensors and data-fusion More info: https://www.airbus.com/defence/eurofighter.html

When Randy Bresnik was a young child, all he wanted to do was fly. Fast-forward to 2020 and the retired U.S. Marine has surpassed even his wildest dreams – having distinguished himself both as a fighter pilot and test pilot before making two trips to space as a NASA astronaut. Bresnik discusses a broad range of topics in Airbus’ latest podcast, providing insights on space cooperation between Europe and the United States, his experience aboard the International Space Station, the various training involved, and more.

Get a behind the scenes of Airbus international training centre in Seville, Spain where the military aircraft pilots are trained on A400M, C295 and A330MRTT. Military Aircraft Training & Flight Operations provides training solutions to our customers (air crew, ground crew, mission specialists, etc.) including specification, design, development, production and in-service support for training services and simulation devices. In addition, Military Aircraft Services delivers turnkey solutions at customers’ sites including simulator-based training as well as theory and facility management, making sure that the customer requirements are met alongside the pilot training path. ➡️ Learn more: https://www.airbus.com/defence/services/training-flight-operations.html Pilot training is a crucial part and Airbus has been offering training services since its creation taken a comprehensive and innovative approach via its unique cockpit commonality concept and the regular introduction of the latest technologies or learning concepts. Flight training is subject to stringent rules that oblige pilots to undergo specific training every 6 months to keep their skills up to standard, known as Recurrent training. Training is carried out on our flight simulators as you can see here, for the practical training, but also requires theory training to keep up to date with the latest aircraft & regulation evolutions. Learn how Airbus Training Centres have adapted to the COVID19 situation: https://youtu.be/3tuJJ7JTRMI #KeepTrustInAirTravel https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/topics-in-focus/keep-trust-air-travel.html

Discover how Starling technology processes data, crunching complex satellite data into valuable and ready to use information. Starling harnesses high resolution satellite imagery, advanced processing and machine learning to provide accessible and accurate information on forest issues. Starling was born from a partnership between Earthworm Foundation and Airbus with the aim of bringing the most reliable and accurate forest information to drive transformation in supply chains. Learn more about Starling: www.starling-verification.com www.earthworm.org www.intelligence-airbusds.com

As the final A400M production step, MSN100 arrives on the flight line – where all of the assembly and tests culminate with the maiden flight. This is the crowning moment of dedicated teamwork and Airbus expertise, with the result being an impressive and highly capable military aircraft in the air. For more info, please visit: https://www.airbus.com/defence/a400m/How-to-build-an-A400M-MSN100.html

The A400M paint shop is located at Station 10 on the Airbus final assembly line in Seville. At this station, we paint the entire aircraft. There are three key phases: pre-painting operations (masking and sanding), painting operations (primer and top coat application) and livery application (national livery and registration markings). The station uses digital tools such as tablets and performance trackers to organise daily tasks and to ensure a high quality throughout. Next, the aircraft will take flight for the very first time… For more info, please visit: https://www.airbus.com/defence/a400m/How-to-build-an-A400M-MSN100.html

Watch an A400M come together from start to finish – beginning with the production and build-up of its key structural components, and continuing through the final tests before delivery. For more info, please visit: https://www.airbus.com/defence/a400m/How-to-build-an-A400M-MSN100.html

The A400M is the “topic du jour” for Airbus’ latest podcast, including insights from someone who knows this advanced military aircraft inside and out: John Taylor, an experimental test pilot at Airbus Defence and Space. Based at the San Pablo site near Seville, Spain – where A400Ms are assembled – Taylor says it’s a privilege to fly the aircraft and underscores key capabilities that set it apart from the competition, both now and for the years to come. More info: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/events/virtual-comms.html