Airbus has announced it will participate in Land Forces 2018 in Adelaide, Australia, from Sept. 4 to 6 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Presented in collaboration with the Australian Army, Land Forces 2018 is an international industry exposition to showcase equipment, technology and services for the armies of Australia and the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
Tony Fraser, Airbus’s head of country for Australia and New Zealand, said the stand showcases models of the organisation’s flagship defense aircraft including the MRH and ARH helicopters, currently in service with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and a variant of the MRH (NH90) with the New Zealand Army; the H145M helicopter; the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT); aircraft maintenance capabilities; and the Zephyr High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite.
Fraser said since 2005, the business had assembled 18 of the 22 ARH Tiger helicopters for the Australian Army and 43 of the 47 MRH90 Taipan helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army.
“These technologically-advanced helicopters offer the Australian Defence Force the latest in troop transport, search-and-rescue and reconnaissance capabilities. These projects have resulted in extensive Australian industry development,” he said.
Recently the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Airbus’s A330-based KC-30A MRTT achieved a major milestone of more than 100 million pounds of fuel delivered via air-to-air refuels as part of Australia’s missions on Operation OKRA in the Middle East.
As part of a coalition including Australia, France, Britain and the United States, Australia’s MRTT has refueled a variety of aircraft including Eurofighters, Rafales, Harriers and Globemasters.
Airbus this year selected Wyndham airfield in Western Australia as the first flight base for its pioneering Zephyr solar-powered unmanned aircraft, or drone. Known as High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS), Airbus will begin flights of the Zephyr which is extremely lightweight and makes virtually zero noise as it leaves and returns to its base.
It typically flies for days or weeks at a time without landing and operates at very high altitudes, far above even commercial airliners. It weighs less than 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and flies by charging its batteries from sunlight during the day and maintaining its high altitude at night, all under control from the ground. It is uniquely capable of providing persistent surveillance over land or sea, and hosting communications links for civil or military purposes.
As well as for military operations, Zephyrs can be used for humanitarian missions, precision farming guidance, environmental and security monitoring, and to provide internet coverage to regions of poor or zero connectivity.
Fraser said the stand also featured a virtual reality simulation of the Airbus MRH90 Taipan helicopter allowing participants to explore and interact in a realistic MRH90 cabin.
“The simulation showcases the multi-role cabin configurations and Australian unique enhancements for troops, weapons and equipment for Aeromedical Evacuation, Special Forces, Troop transport and more,” he added.
The realistic 3D environment accurate to the real aircraft, allows the user to experience what it is like to work in that environment. This simulation has been used as part of the design and development for the Aeromedical Evacuation configurations for the MRH90. The simulation includes interactive role equipment:
- Medical equipment;
- Taipan gun mounts;
- FRED (Fast Roping and Extraction Devices);
- Center rappelling; and
- Troop seats
Also on the stand is an interactive augmented reality display of the H145M Deployable Light Helicopter, MRH90 Taipan, and ARH Tiger, showcasing the capabilities of these aircraft.
Visitors will interact with a physical model of the MRH90 to see proposed MRH90 capability upgrades and Special Forces equipment, including: fast roping; rear window and other gun mounts; MRH Cap upgrades; and electro-optical sensor equipment.
Airbus has a strong industrial presence in Australia and the Pacific, with local operations overseeing the sale of its defense and space products in the region. Additionally, the company provides support to civil and military fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft in the region.
The Airbus stand is located in Hall 1, Stand number: 1Q16.
