DSEI 2017: The FINN wrap
The FINN team spent this week at London’s Excel Centre for DSEI, the world’s largest defence fair, covering navy, army and air forces. FINN editor-in-chief Alan Peaford rounds up the…
The FINN team spent this week at London’s Excel Centre for DSEI, the world’s largest defence fair, covering navy, army and air forces. FINN editor-in-chief Alan Peaford rounds up the big show news concerning aerospace.
500 national delegations were among the 36,000 visitors from 54 countries in attendance at DSEI this week. There were 1,605 exhibitors and 42 national pavilions.
Saab presented its new Gripen Aggressor and Israel Elbit Systems teamed up with CAE to develop a synthetic training programme.
Future of defence
Training and careers were a theme throughout the event, with DSEI holding its first ever futures day to encourage young people to understand the value of careers in aerospace and defence. Inzpire partnered with Jordan’s Golden Eagle Aviation Academy to provide helicopter flight training to military and civilian flight training programmes in Jordan.
Drones
UAVs were an important element of the show too – building them, knocking them down (and watching them dance). Hungarian manufacturer Uaviator made a DSEI debut with its seven-metre flying wing hammerhead. The flexible platform comes in a number of configurations, and can be powered by its tether wire for static surveillance and then released with full battery power.
UMS Skeldar’s family of unmanned rotorcraft will be finding new opportunities. A deal with JetLease means the aircraft will be offered to potential users, such as border patrol or coastguards, on short to long-term leasing basis.
BAE Systems entertained the crowds with dancing drones but as we know, unauthorised drones can also be a nuisance and dangerous. Allen Vanguard displayed an affordable solution to ensure that prisons and private property etc. can be protected.
Watch the video for Alan’s full analysis and his interview highlights with aerospace and defence industry leaders.
