PARIS — The US will be back in force at the Paris Air Show with a large number of combat aircraft on display. It'll be a strong turnabout from 2013, when concerns over Washington's budget sequestration forced a low US profile.
With about 250 exhibitors, the US will be second only to the French in bookings, with a large number of small- and medium-size US companies, Emeric d'Arcimoles, director of the air show, said May 21 at a press conference. There will also be delegations from US states, but US aircraft will not perform in the daily flying display -- a decision announced some months ago.
Another high-profile aircraft that will not fly will be the Airbus A400M, which will be on ground display. Marwan Lahoud, Airbus chief strategy and marketing officer, said there are concerns over delivery of the aircraft following the deadly crash in Spain of an A400M earlier this month. Spanish authorities are in charge of the crash inquiry and the release of information is in their hands, said Lahoud, who is also chairman of GIFAS, France's aerospace industry trade body.
Britain, Germany, Malaysia, Spain and Turkey suspended flights of the A400M, which raises concerns on how to deliver the aircraft once assembly is completed in Seville, Spain. France is the only country flying the plane and has restricted its use to essential missions. Airbus Military is flying the plane to continue its development and meet the operational requirements agreed with the client nations.
As usual, the French Defense Ministry will turn out for the show in force, with a sign "combat-proven" on display in support of its export efforts. There will be on display for the first time a model of the Future Combat Air System – Demonstration Program, the Anglo-French bilateral project for a combat drone.
On display will be the Rafale fighter, Tiger combat helicopter, NH90 transport helicopter, A330 multirole tanker transport, Musis spy satellite, and the planned Talios laser targeting pod, a spokesman for the Direction Générale de l'Armament said. There will also be a 3-D simulator projecting the aircraft combat scenario in 2025. There will be a sign "mission-ready" sign on display. The Rafale will be on the daily flight schedule.
The Defense Ministry and GIFAS seek to promote the French regional industrial bodies and small and medium companies. Starburst, a business angel for start-ups seeking venture capital seed funding, will be at the show.
About 120 aircraft will be on the ground, with some 20 aircraft in the daily flying display. Some 151 defense delegations and 17 defense ministers are expected.
Making first time appearances in at the Paris show will be Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter and the Antonov AN-178, the latest version of the transport plane from Ukraine. Textron AirLand's Scorpion ISR-light strike jet will be on display. Russian companies will be there, but no Russian pilots will fly in the daily flight show. Textron AirLand's Scorpion ISR-light strike jet also will be on display.
BAE Systems will be absent and Finmecanicca has reduced its footprint. "Corporate policy," Lahoud said. BAE is more selective and Finmecanicca will be there but in a smaller chalet, he Lahoud said.
Email: ptran@defensenews.com
