PAS 2019: Day 2 wrap – Dassault and Airbus reveal fighter model, Italian PM unveils Leonardo drone
Day two of the Paris Air Show 2019 brought more aircraft unveilings plus news on some of the latest mergers and acquisitions. We bring you some of the sights and…
Day two of the Paris Air Show 2019 brought more aircraft unveilings plus news on some of the latest mergers and acquisitions. We bring you some of the sights and sounds from the world’s largest aerospace event
Today, we took a closer look at the air defence industry, starting the day with the unveiling of two model fighter aircraft.
Airbus, Dassault and TAI unveil new fighter models
Dassault unveiled a full-scale model of its New Generation Fighter which it plans to develop with industrial partner Airbus. Defence ministers from France, Germany and latest partner Spain joined France’s president Macron to commit to a framework to advance the Future Combat Air System and signed an agreement to take the project to the demonstration phase.
Dassault CEO Eric Trappier said it will shape “Europe’s most decisive military air combat programme for decades to come.”
TAI also unveiled its full scale model of the fifth generation TF-X Turkish Fighter. Designed in cooperation with BAE Systems, the first flight is expected in 2026
Italian PM unveils Leonardo’s largest drone
Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte paid a visit to the show to unveil the latest addition to Leonardo’s Falco family of drones. The Falco Xplorer is the largest drone manufactured by Leonardo and is expected to make its first flight later this month.
Mergers and acquisitions discussed
Daher, the French manufacturer of the TBM family, is getting closer to the Kodiak 100, with news of its goal to acquire the utility aircraft’s manufacturer Quest Aircraft Company.
This would introduce a third single-engined turboprop to the Daher family to go alongside the TBM 910 and 940 and broadens its international footprint and manufacturing capability. The sale is expected to be completed before year-end.
Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi has been deflecting questions about its interest in picking off the last pieces of Bombardier’s commercial aircraft business. The companay admitted that the global support business, together with its experience in certification issues, would be useful.
Mitsubishi goes head to head with Embraer
Mitsubishi Aircraft went further unveiled the Spacejet 90. The 76-seater regional jet meeting US scope requirements includes additional space for added passenger comfort with wider seats, larger baggage bins and in-seat connectivity.
While Mitsubishi aims to challenge the dominance of Embraer in this sector, the Brazilian company is also showing its teeth with its “Profit Hunter” lion livery. The liveries are becoming a real airshow talking point with previous successes including a tiger at Singapore, a shark at Farnborough and for Air Astana, a show leopard. They follow the first eagle’s head livery in Paris two years ago.
Collins secures £1.5bn maintenance agreement
Collins Aerospace secured $1.5 billion in power control and aerostructures maintenance agreements from commercial aircraft operators, including its first MRO deal with Ethiopian Airlines. The 25-year Ethiopian agreement, valued at $500 million, covers maintenance of heat exchangers, air management systems and fuel metering units on 60 De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops.
We will be bringing you all news from Le Bourget this week. Catch up on all of the latest announcements, deals and unveilings, along with the latest in supersonic air travel at wearefinn.com.
Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for our Day Three wrap programme or subscribe to receive it here.
