Number 34 – 02 May 2024

“Aviation will give new nourishment to the religious spirit of mankind. It will add airspace to those other great heighteners of the cosmic mood: the wood, the sea, the desert.” Christian Morgenstern

Dewoitine D.27 Acheron

(Information from Wikipedia)

The Dewoitine D.27 was a parasol monoplane fighter aircraft designed by Émile Dewoitine in 1928.

After the end of World War I, the slump in demand for aircraft forced Dewoitine to close his company and move to Switzerland in 1927. He produced the D.27 the following year, 66 of which were produced for the Swiss Air Force from 1931. It was also license-built in Yugoslavia by Zmaj aircraft and in Romania. Seven strengthened versions, designated the D.53, served experimentally with the French Escadrille 7C1, flying from the aircraft carrier Béarn.

Those persons who correctly identified this week’s mystery aircraft:
Ruhul Vala, Ari Levien, Magiel Esterhuysen, Wouter van der Waal, Willie Oosthuizen, Hilton Carroll, Righardt du Plessis, Andre Visser, Kevin Farr, Bruce Prescott, T.C. Schultz, P. Rossouw, Andrew Peace, Sergio Antao, Piet Steyn, Karl Jensen, Charlie Hugo, Johan Venter, Rennie van Zyl, Ahmed Bassa, Jan Sime, Selwyn Kimber, Lance Williams, Pierre Brittz, Rex Tweedie, John Moen, Dave Lloyd, Erwin Stam

2024 United Kingdom airshow season

By Ian Doyle

The UK is a hotbed for aviation and nothing epitomises this more so than the airshow season is a spectacular period for aviation enthusiasts and the general public alike, offering a variety of events that showcase the best of both historical and modern aircraft. Here African Pilot offers an overview of some of the most anticipated airshows in the UK for 2024, including the Midlands Air Festival, D-Day commemorations, The RAF Cosford Airshow, Duxford and the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Midlands Air Festival

The Midlands Air Festival is set to take place from 31 May to 2 June. This event promises a mix of night fire, air displays and hot air balloon launches, providing a thrilling experience for families and aviation fans. The festival will be held in the Midlands of the UK at the stately home of Rigley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire and is known for its diverse range of aircraft and vibrant atmosphere.

D-Day commemorations

The D-Day themed events with up to 30 Dakota / C47 aircraft reenacting the landings, they are a poignant reminder of the significant military operations during World War II. In 2024, the Duxford Summer airshow will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 1 and 2 June. This event will feature those historic Dakotas, dramatic flypasts and a mass parachute jump, bringing that part of history to life at the show.

RAF Cosford airshow

The RAF Cosford airshow, scheduled for 9 June, is the only remaining RAF-organised airshow. Every year it offers a unique opportunity to explore the Royal Air Forces current operations and its rich history. Visitors can expect a full three-hour international flying display programme and a chance to get up close with cutting edge technology and various static aircraft including a number from the museum itself.

Sywell airshow 2024

This event takes place over the weekend of 22 and 23 June at their Northamptonshire home. Sywell 2024 will be a quite remarkable airshow combining a number of warbirds with ground attractions including classic cars and much more.

Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT)

RIAT is one of the world’s greatest airshows and in 2024, it will run from 19 to 21 July. RIAT is renowned for its international participation, with a wide array of military aircraft from around the globe performing breathtaking displays and showcasing the latest advancements in aerospace technology.

The Duxford airshow season

Apart from the D-Day commemorations, Duxford has a packed flying season with several themed events. The Duxford Battle of Britain airshow on 14 and 15 September is the highlight, featuring iconic aircraft like the Spitfire and paying homage to the heroes of the Battle of Britain.

Alongside each of these events not only celebrates aviation but also serves as a tribute to the history, bravery and advancements in technology that have shaped air travel and military operations. The UK airshow season is a testament to the enduring fascination with flight and the ongoing commitment to peace and innovation. Ian Doyle will be providing superbly illustrated reports on the UK airshow 2024 scene for African Pilot’s readers.

SAAF Museum airshow on Saturday 4 May

The SAAF Museum airshow is scheduled for this Saturday 4 May at SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing (formerly Air Force Base Zwartkop) and according to the organisers spectators will be able to watch Gripens and Hawks amongst many other displays including a mini-war demonstration, aerobatic display teams and several examples of the Museum’s vintage aircraft and helicopters.

As a publicity stunt on Tuesday morning a SAAF Museum Alouette II helicopter raced the Gautrain from Midrand to Centurion, soundly beating its slower not much slower rail competitor. Gautrain is one of the SAAF Museum’s airshow partners and this service will be offering a free bus service from the Centurion Gautrain station to the airbase. The annual SAAF Museum airshow is an important component for the raising of funds for the upkeep and continued role in keeping SAAF Museum aircraft flying.

Civilian displays will include aerobatic aircraft such as Andrew Blackwood-Murray flying his Nashua Extra 300L and Menno Parsons flying his P-51 Mustang, to a Tiger Moth, Beech 18, Mwari and two Chipmunk vintage aircraft. Civilian owned jets will be represented by a L-29 Delfin and a Hawker Hunter, while rotary wing displays will include a Gazelle helicopter flown by Juba Joubert, Huey and Magni gyrocopter.

Several of South Africa’s main airshow aerobatic display teams have agreed to take part and these include the Puma Flying Lions, Hired Gun Pitts Specials, Team Extra with Nigel Hopkins and Jason Beamish, Goodyear Eagles, Raptors and the Navion display team. Flyable SAAF Museum aircraft based at the SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing will include Alouette II, III and Puma helicopters, Bosbok, Kudu and Cessna 185 fixed wing types. Fresh from an impressive capability demonstration at the Wonderboom airshow on 20 April, the South African Police Service will contribute its assets. The gates open at 07h00 on Saturday, with the airshow officially commencing at 09h00 with a mass paraglider fly over the airfield.

Saturday’s airshow will be preceded by a career exhibition on the Friday, which will see about 1 500 learners from 25 schools in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces take part. Via the Department of Education, the youngsters will have an opportunity to be exposed to aviation careers, including in the SAAF.

2024 ABSA Lowveld Airshow

The 2024 ABSA Lowveld Airshow promises to be a thrilling event, showcasing high-energy aerobatic displays from 15h00 until after dark, culminating in a spectacular fireworks finale. The events on the programme brings together South African elite, so expect to see the ultimate extravaganza in formation aerobatics which include high-energy, dynamic air displays in close formation with cross-over passes and synchronized aerobatics. In between the spectacular formation aerobatics the individuals will perform freestyle aerobatics and gyroscopic manoeuvres as well as some graceful flying by the glider with an impressive aerial firefighting demonstration by Kishugu / WoF

Notable highlights include a performance by the iconic, fast, agile and stunningly beautiful P51 Mustang regarded as one of the most important and popular warbirds on the planet  flown by Menno Parsons as well as  the display by the Airlink Embraer 190 airliner flown by Jaco Henning.

The flying programme will conclude with the legendary Harvard aircraft dazzling spectators against the backdrop of the setting sun. After sunset then in the soft glowing light caused by the reflection of the sun’s rays from the atmosphere, they will continue to perform their magic with amazing pyrotechnics until dark. The event will conclude with a captivating 12-minute fireworks spectacle promising to leave the audience spellbound by its awe-inspiring beauty. Brought to you by ABSA and the Lowveld airshow committee.

27 April to 4 May
Gauteng Regional Gliding Championships at Magalies gliding Club
Contact Soaring Society of South Africa Website: www.glidercomps.co.za

4 May
SAAF Museum airshow at AFB Zwartkops
Contact Lt. Gaelejwe OC Zwartkops Cell: 079 110 5855

4 May
Algoa Flying Club breakfast fly-in to Jay Kilian Farm
RVSP E-mail: info@algoafc.co.za Tel: 041 581 3274 Cell: 079 502 6421

Chad operating Turkish Aksungur UAVs

A video released on 21 April shows a single Aksungur in Chadian markings taking off from Adji Kossei Air Base at N’Djamena International Airport and Chad Air Force personnel being trained in Turkey by Turkish Aerospace Industries. TAI describes the Aksungur as being able to carry out day and night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions with electro-optical / infrared and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payloads and a variety of air-to-ground weapons. Three hardpoints can carry 750 kg of weaponry. The aircraft is powered by two PD-170 twin-turbocharged diesel engines enabling long endurance operations up to 12 000 metres. An optional satellite communications payload can allow beyond line-of-sight operations. The Aksungur is 12.5 metres

Pilot ejects from F-16 crash at Holloman Air Force Base

On 30 April an Air Force pilot ejected from an F-16 fighter jet assigned to the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., when it crashed. The crash happened at about 11h50 local time, west of the base near White Sands National Park. The only person on board the jet, the pilot ‘was transported by ambulance for medical care,’ the base said in a Facebook post. Later that evening, officials said in a release that the pilot was in good condition and had been released from a local hospital.

Certain areas of the park were closed to the public to allow for emergency response. The wing commander, Col. Justin Spears, thanked a long list of agencies including local and state police, US Customs and Border Protection and a US Army Air Flight Detachment for helping out. “An investigation conducted by a board of qualified officers is underway to determine the cause of the incident,” the base wrote.

The mishap comes about three months after an F-16 crashed in South Korea on 31 January, the third such crash on the Korean peninsula in nine months. All of the pilots of the downed aircraft ejected safely. The last time an F-16 crashed in the continental US was on 23 March 2022, when an Oklahoma Air National Guard F-16 came down in western Louisiana. The pilot also ejected safely from that crash.

From 2010 to 2021, the latest year for which the Air Force Safety Center has published statistics 33 F-16s have been destroyed in mishaps, or 2.75 per year. Holloman is one destination where rated Air Force pilots learn how to fly the F-16 in a 37-week Basic Course, also known as the

Tornado hits Omaha airport, destroys hangars and many aircraft

On Friday Nebraska was hit with multiple tornadoes that destroyed private planes and hangars at the Eppley Airfield Airport (OMA) in Omaha. The airport has since reopened and flights are arriving and departing, but there was substantial damage to many buildings, hangars and planes in the general aviation area. The US National Weather Service reported that on Friday a tornado outbreak occurred from central Nebraska into central Iowa, largely centering around Omaha. According to AP News, dozens of tornadoes were reported in the Midwest, leading to a building collapse and damaging about 150 homes in Omaha alone. Local news KLKN said the local Weather Service confirmed it was an EF-3 tornado, with winds ranging from 135 to 165 mph. The tornado that touched down near Eppley Airfield was categorised as an EF-2 tornado, with winds ranging from 110 to 135 mph. Eppley Airfield confirmed that the tornado touched down at about 5:08 p.m. while passengers within the terminal were placed in storm shelters. The airport reopened to aircraft operations at 17h59.

Eppley Field said there were no injuries reported and by Saturday morning, the airport was operational. The airport said the damage included the destruction of four hangar buildings where 32 privately owned GA aircraft were stored. Eppley went on to say that other buildings operated by tenants of the airport had also sustained damage. The tornado did not hit the passenger terminal area or Build OMA construction projects and operations were able to commence on Saturday. Access to the GA area is restricted as the recovery and cleanup process continues. On Saturday evening, the airport shared that the cleanup and recovery process progressing but the GA portion of the airport remained restricted to employees and customers of businesses on the east side of the airport.

Photos shown on Eppley’s social media pages reveal the bleak aftermath of Mother Nature. Scenes of mangled planes, shredded insulation and metal siding litter the airfield. The airport said it is working with the affected hangar tenants on aircraft recovery and the focus is on maintaining safe and secure airport operations.

Houthis shoot down third MQ-9; five now lost to hostile fire in just over a year

On 25 April Houthi rebels claim to have shot down an MQ-9 drone over Yemen, releasing nighttime intercept footage and daytime video of what appears to be MQ-9 wreckage. If confirmed, it would mark the third MQ-9 shot down by the Houthis in the past six months and the sixth Reaper damaged in various Middle East conflicts within the 13 months.

The nighttime footage shows what appears to be the launch of a surface-to-air missile, followed by an explosion and falling wreckage. The daytime footage shows the aftermath: the apparent remains of an MQ-9 tail section, propellers and engine as well as portions of a wing. Some of the parts are labelled ‘General Atomics.’ A Houthi spokesman did not say what kind of surface-to-air missile was used in the attack. A Pentagon spokesperson acknowledged that an MQ-9 went down in Yemen but said the crash is under investigation.

Since Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October sparking a regional crisis, the Houthis and other Iran-backed militias have repeatedly attacked US forces and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. All told, the Houthis have threatened or attacked more than 100 commercial vessels in the waters off Yemen, saying the attacks, which have killed two merchant sailors, are showing solidarity with Gaza, where Israel has been prosecuting a retaliatory war against Hamas. They have also fired on US intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, to include Reapers, operating in the region of Yemen.

In November 2023, the Houthis shot down an MQ-9 off the coast of Yemen. In January 2024, an MQ-9 crashed in Iraq, believed to have been shot down by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group of Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia militias. The Pentagon said the missile used was likely provided by Iran. In February 2024, Houthis shot down an MQ-9 over the Red Sea, again using weaponry provided by Iran. In the latest incident in April 2024, Houthis claim to have shot down a Reaper operating over Yemen.

Before the 7 October conflict began, a Russian fighter collided with an MQ-9 in March 2023 while intercepting it over the Black Sea, causing the Reaper to crash. In July 2023, Russian fighters interfered with two MQ-9s over Syria over the course of several days. They dropped flares in the path of the Reapers damaging but not destroying them. The US and Britain have launched four joint airstrikes at Houthi targets in Yemen associated with the attacks on commercial shipping.

The Reaper has been operational since 2008. With a persistence of up to 24 hours and a ceiling of 50,000 feet, the Reaper has been valuable in ISR missions in a number of conflicts and saw heavy use in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. The Air Force has employed more than 320 Reapers operationally. The remotely piloted aircraft, valued at about $30 million apiece, are operated by a rated pilot and sensor systems operator. The type is headquartered at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.

The US Air Force has stopped buying the MQ-9, saying that while the type was useful in conflicts where the threat was minimal, the non-stealthy aircraft is not survivable in theatres where the opposition possesses even moderately sophisticated anti-air capabilities. The service has been intermittently pursuing an ‘MQ-X’ replacement for a number of years but plans to keep the MQ-9s for use in low-threat operations through 2035.

China Southern joins the queue at COMAC and orders 100 C919 narrowbodies

China Southern Airlines has become the latest Chinese carrier to enter into an agreement with aircraft manufacturer COMAC (Commercial Aviation Corporation of China) to purchase 100 C919 narrow-bodied jets. The announcement comes just days after fellow Chinese carrier Air China also placed an order for 100 examples of the twinjet.  In a public filing placed on 29 April 2024, Guangzhou-based China Southern stated that the order will partly be funded by its own ‘internal resources’, as well as by ‘loans or other finance arrangement by banks or other institutions’. Setting out the broader terms of the agreement with COMAC, the carrier stated that while the deal is valued at $9.9 billion in terms of list prices, the airline has secured price concessions from the manufacturer as part of the order. 

“The purchase of aircraft aligns with the strategy of our country and effectively meets the medium- to long-term fleet development needs of the company,” said China Southern in a statement. It added that “the Chinese domestic market demand for narrowbodies is showing a significant upward trend”. The new C919s are expected to be delivered to China Southern between late 2024 and 2031, a similar delivery schedule to that secured by the other two main Chinese-based customers for the aircraft, Air China and China Eastern. While Air China is also a new customer for the type, China Eastern has operated the C919 since taking delivery of its first aircraft in May 2023.

On 26 April 2024, Air China announced its own order for 100 C919s, in a deal reported to be worth around $10.8 billion in list prices. It cited the ‘optimisation of fleet structure and long-term supplement of fleet capacity’ among the reasons for the order. “The transaction is in line with the development plan of the company and the market demand, which is conducive to the group’s optimisation of fleet structure and long-term supplement of fleet capacity,” Air China said in a statement. 

The COMAC C919 is pitched directly onto a highly competitive playing field, up against its Western rivals the Boeing 737 MAX family and the Airbus A320neo family, both of which have order backlogs of several resulting from the surge in demand following the pandemic. These backlogs are making carriers explore other more readily available alternatives, one of which is the C919. Other operators that have announced orders for the C919 are Tibet Airlines (which placed an order for 40 aircraft in February 2024), Urumqi Air and Hainan Airlines which has ordered the type for its subsidiary Suparna Airlines. 

Both China Southern and Air China are already existing operators of COMAC’s other product, its ARJ21 regional jet, with China Southern having 26 in service while Air China has 20 operating in its fleet.

Why is Emirates shifting its hub to Al Maktoum International Airport?

Emirates is shifting its hub to Al Maktoum International Airport to capitalise on its massive expansion, accommodating more passengers and flights. The move supports Dubai‘s vision to become the global aviation leader, ensuring state-of-the-art facilities and growth in passenger traffic at the new mega hub.

Dubai has recently disclosed ambitious plans to extend Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) with an investment of $34.85 billion (AED 128 billion). This massive expansion is set to redefine global air travel norms by boosting the airport’s capacity to an unprecedented 260 million passengers annually.

The Gulf States are no strangers to grand infrastructure projects, especially in aviation. Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport, the largest by area, covers 780 square kilometres. However, Dubai’s latest plans not only challenge but aim to surpass this, with a vision to handle significantly more passengers than the current busiest airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Since its inauguration 14 years ago, Al Maktoum International Airport was destined to become a major player in aviation. The updated plan includes expanding Al Maktoum International Airport to accommodate 260 million passengers yearly, which overshadows earlier projections by 100 million. This expansion includes five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, signalling a shift of all operations from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to DWC in the foreseeable future.

The expansion of DWC is just one part of a larger project known as Dubai South. Envisioned to cover 70 square kilometres, this new city will integrate eight distinct neighbourhoods, each dedicated to various industries and activities, blending residential and commercial spaces. This ambitious project is expected to provide housing for a million people and attract leading companies in logistics and air transport.

The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, outlined that the initial phase of the Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) expansion should be operational within the next decade, increasing its capacity to 150 million passengers annually. The full project, set for completion over several decades, aims to set the stage for Dubai’s aviation sector growth for the next 40 years.

The expansion at DWC adds to a series of developments in the Gulf region’s aviation sector. Hamad International in Qatar and new facilities in Oman, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait showcase the intense competition and rapid growth in the region. These projects include new terminals and expansions designed to increase capacity and enhance passenger experience significantly.

With Emirates airline planning to relocate to DWC, the airport is set to become the central hub for the carrier. This move is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to maintain and enhance its status as a global aviation leader. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasised that the growth of Dubai has always paralleled the expansion of its aviation infrastructure. The new phase at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) marks not just an investment in physical assets but also in the future of aviation and urban development in Dubai. As the city prepares to host the world’s leading companies and cater to millions of passengers, its journey towards becoming the global center of aviation and urban life continues to unfold.

US Air Force awards Boeing contract for additional MH-139As

The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a US$178 million contract to produce seven MH-139A aircraft and provide sustainment and training support, bringing the total number of aircraft under contract to 26. “Building the Grey Wolf fleet and paving the way towards full-rate production is a critical step in supporting the Air Force’s modernisation priorities,” said Azeem Khan, the MH-139 programme director. “Delivering on these commitments and getting more capability into the hands of our customers is important to their mission protecting vital national assets.”

This award follows the inaugural flight of the first production aircraft in December 2023. With the initial production aircraft currently undergoing additional testing and others in various stages of production, Boeing remains on course to deliver the first LRIP aircraft to the Air Force this summer. The MH-139A, a multi-mission helicopter designed for patrol, search and rescue and troop / cargo transport, is based on the proven Leonardo helicopter AW139. Equipped with bespoke military technology by Boeing, the MH-139 boasts advanced state-of-the-art features enabling operators to swiftly, quietly, efficiently and safely accomplish missions.

US Air Force awards $13 billion contract for new ‘Doomsday’ planes

On 26 April the US Air Force awarded a $13.08 billion contract to the Sierra Nevada Corporation for its Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft, the successor to the service’s E-4B ‘Doomsday’ plane.  Like the E-4B, officially called the National Airborne Operations Center, the SAOC will be meant to withstand a nuclear attack and keep the government running from the air during a crisis. Sierra Nevada Corp. was one of two bidders for the SAOC, according to a Pentagon release. Reuters reported back in December that Boeing, the only other bidder and the builder of the E-4, was eliminated from the competition. Work on the contract is slated to last until 2036.  

The US Air Force first started work on SAOC in 2019, but the process has been slow and was delayed several times. By June 2022, lawmakers said they were ‘concerned’ by the lack of progress and the ‘availability and capability’ of the E-4 fleet, which has been flying since the 1970s.  Progress is slated to ramp up rapidly now. After spending just $94 million on the programme in fiscal 2023, the Air Force got $744 million from Congress for 2024 and is seeking $1.69 billion in 2025.

According to Air Force budget documents, the SAOC will be a commercially derived aircraft ‘hardened to protect against nuclear and electromagnetic effects and modified with an aerial refuelling capability to enable sustained airborne operations.’ It will also need secure command, control and communications systems and modern IT infrastructure. 

The E-4B fleet consists of four modified Boeing 747s that are struggling with ‘capability gaps, diminishing manufacturing sources, increased maintenance costs and parts obsolescence,’ according to budget documents. The fleet’s mission capable rate has been steadily declining, reaching a low of 55.4 percent in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. To keep the plane flying until the early 2030s, the Air Force has invested in virtual reality training for the E-4, using a 3-D scan of the interior and exterior to create training modules for maintainers and operators.

G100UL maker refutes NATA claim that the company is not ready to sell its fuel

Vitol Aviation, which has more than a million gallons of General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) G100UL unleaded avgas for sale, is disputing claims by the National Air Transportation that the fuel is not ready to be sold. In a statement, NATA said that without a fuel specification from ASTM International, which GAMI has chosen not to pursue, fuel suppliers and retailers ‘lack assurances that the unleaded fuel they are selling will not expose them to liability’ and the fuel therefore cannot be considered ‘commercially available.’ However, Vitol says it has had no problem getting insurance for its handling of G100UL, the fuel has been fully tested and vetted and it fully intends to bring it to market.

“Vitol Aviation is proud to have brought the first 100 octane avgas to market, which is fully compatible with all FAA certificated engines without modification,” Vitol said in a statement “G100UL is has an FAA-approved specification, is tested according to ASTM standards and fully available under standard aviation fuel contract terms.”

‘Climate-smart’ corn-based SAF rules defined

The Biden Administration has laid out rules for corn farmers to qualify for subsidies to supply feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The corn is now used to make ethanol, which is added to gasoline but the move to electric cars will diminish that market. However, ethanol can be turned into Jet A and will cut the carbon footprint of jet fuel. The administration is proposing subsidies from $1.25 to $1.75 a gallon for farmers but only if they meet some conditions. The farmers will have to use of ‘climate-smart’ farming practises including the use of approved fertilisers. The resulting fuel must cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least half compared to Jet A made from fossil fuels. The measures were met with approval from the farm community but environmentalists are less enthusiastic. They are concerned a flood of ethanol-based SAF will hinder development of fuels that are even greener that the corn-based product.

Airbus expands its Earth observation constellation with Pléiades Neo Next

Airbus has launched the Pléiades Neo Next programme to expand its very high-resolution Earth observation constellation. This new programme will result in new satellite assets and capabilities, including enhanced native resolution. As a first step of Pléiades Neo Next, Airbus is developing a new satellite which will be launched in the next few years.

“The Pléiades Neo Next programme builds on the success of our existing Pléiades Neo constellation which serves government and commercial customers around the world,” said Karen Florschütz, Executive Vice President Connected Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space. “This new programme will further enhance our standard of excellence in terms of quality, performance and reliability to deliver images as well as geo-intelligence services and applications.”

The Pléiades Neo Next programme is funded, manufactured and operated by Airbus Defence and Space, with the full image capacity available for a wide range of sectors including defence and intelligence, agriculture, environment, maritime, disaster response, mapping, location-based services, civil engineering, urban planning and utilities. Users will continue to be able to directly task the Airbus satellites up to a few dozen minutes prior to the satellite over the area of interest. Images will be received through the customer’s Direct Receiving Stations (DRS) on the ground, or on the OneAtlas digital platform, swiftly after collection, allowing mission-critical applications.

Working together, the Pléiades Neo and Pléiades Neo Next satellites will offer a higher revisit anywhere on Earth, up to several times per day, along with the best spatial resolution and geolocation accuracy available in the market. In addition to enhanced native resolution, Pléiades Neo Next development will further improve the ground segment, the DRS and the OneAtlas platform, resulting in a higher capacity of imagery requests as well as optimising the time between request, capture and reception.

With Pléiades Neo Next, Airbus is reinforcing  its Earth observation capabilities and services to remain at the forefront of geospatial technologies. The Airbus fleet includes both optical and radar satellite constellations ensuring complementarity services and applications, including various resolutions, all-weather and day and night capabilities. In parallel, Airbus is developing new capabilities based on stratospheric platforms.

Joby breaks ground on California expansion, second eVTOL rolls off production line

On Monday Joby Aviation celebrated breaking ground on the expansion of its Pilot Production Line in Marina, California. This expansion will more than double the company’s manufacturing footprint at the Marina Municipal Airport and operations are expected to begin in 2025. At the celebration, Joby showcased its second production prototype aircraft which recently rolled off of the Company’s pilot production line. The second prototype is expected to join the first at Edwards Air Force Base later this year. Joby said there are two additional aircraft in final assembly.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Monday had many guests in attendance, including Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado, Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root-Askew and Toyota Collaboration Lead Kiyoshiba Mase. The expansion will bring jobs to the local community and support growth in the county. “Joby benefits all of our tri-county community,” Delgado said. “We are pleased to see Joby continue to invest in expanding its presence at Marina Municipal Airport, providing high-tech jobs in clean manufacturing that benefit the local community.”

In November 2023, Joby was awarded a $9.8 million California Competes grant by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) to support the company’s continued expansion within the state. The funding will finance the expansion of Joby’s Marina facilities, as well as higher manufacturing volumes and initial training for pilots and aircraft maintainers, continued hiring at Joby offices in San Carlos and Santa Cruz. As part of the larger agreement, Joby has committed to investing $41.3 million to create 690 full-time jobs in California by 2027. The expanded facility will support a target production rate of 25 aircraft per year, housing a range of key operations facilities like an expanded pilot training and flight simulation center and aircraft maintenance facilities designed to support Joby’s scaled commercial operations.

Uganda’s defence industry takes off China partnership soars with UAV workshop

Uganda’s defence sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with China playing a pivotal role in this modernization effort. This collaboration is not just about acquiring new equipment, but also about establishing a domestic capability for research, development and production. The cornerstone of this partnership is the establishment of a comprehensive UAV workshop in Nakasongola. This joint venture between Uganda’s Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and China’s North Industries Corporation (Norinco) signifies a new era in Uganda’s military capabilities. The workshop will focus on the entire UAV lifecycle, encompassing assembly, testing, maintenance, and training. This comprehensive approach aims to make Uganda self-sufficient in the critical field of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the UAV workshop marked a broader milestone. It also saw the inauguration of a Joint Research and Innovation Centre. This centre fosters collaboration between Ugandan and Chinese experts, fostering knowledge transfer and the development of indigenous defence technologies. Additionally, an ANFO explosives production line was established for Kyoga Dynamics, a joint venture between Uganda and China Wanbao Engineering Company. This demonstrates the multifaceted nature of the partnership, extending beyond just UAVs and encompassing various aspects of the defence industry.

Both Ugandan and Chinese officials expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership. Minister Ssempjjja of Uganda acknowledged the importance of research and innovation in bolstering national defence, highlighting China’s willingness to share expertise. Norinco’s Executive President, Xiaoqing, emphasised the rapid six-month timeframe for the workshop’s completion, signifying a significant step forward for Uganda’s UAV industry. General Mbadi, Chief of the UPDF, lauded the partnership as a symbol of the strengthening ties between Uganda and China. This high-level endorsement underscores the strategic importance of this collaboration for Uganda’s defence modernisation.

Uganda’s recent acquisitions of unmanned systems further bolster its military capabilities. In 2023, a Turkish STM Togan surveillance and reconnaissance drone was acquired. In addition, the Ugandan military began fielding Israeli Elbit Systems Hermes 900 Kochav medium-altitude long-endurance drones in March 2022. In 2020, Uganda also procured the Aerosonde Mk4.7 unmanned aerial system from the US-based AAI Corp. This willingness to acquire diverse UAV technologies from various sources demonstrates Uganda’s strategic approach to integrating different systems into its growing arsenal.

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