Page 10 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb 2020

10 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
FEBRUARY 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
AIRBUS GOES LIVE WITH CLASSIFIED LO PROGRAM
seamlessly integrated into the wider struc- ture. The air breathing engine has been extensively tested in both simulated envi- ronments and in the real-life demonstrator.
Elements at every stage address electronic counter measures, signature reduction and electromagnetic emission control. (Airbus)
The surface is virtually free of steps and gaps with ‘surface wave attenuation to de- couple mutually spaced scattering effects’, ie making it really hard to find with pretty much any sensor. A blend of transparencies and shielding technologies are supported by LO coatings for specific areas of the wing.
With links into future fighter programs in Germany, such as FCAS (future combat air system that will see the replacement of the Eurofighter and Typhoon fleets in due course), the program has been working behind the scenes for well over a decade in this space.
It is understood that the current program of funding has ended but there is scope for further development at this time. Given the classified nature of the program, many questions from the international media pack were met with coy smiles.
The writer travelled to Germany as a guest of Airbus
KATHERINE ZIESING | GERMANY
AIRBUS has released details for the first time about their classified LOUT (low ob- servable UAV testbed) program with me- dia in a recent German tour.
Beginning in 2007 and in earnest in 2010 with German MoD funding, the program has been running as a Skunk Works type program in both Bremen and Manching, working on low observable technologies in terms of designs, coatings and antennae.
The flying wing design, a diamond shape of 12 metres by 12 metres, has un- dergone an extensive program of iterative design and testing at the site. Perched on a plinth inside a massive anechoic chamber, the biggest in Europe at 60m by 16m by 14m, the aircraft has not flown, according to program lead Mario Hertzog.
With echoes of F-22 and F-35 alongside the flying wing designs synonymous with Northrop Grumman, the German pro- gram boasts an impressive history of live and simulated testing of the concept. With antennas integrated into the structure, an integrated flat nozzle design around the engine with twin air intakes on the top of the structure to minimise radar cross section, the design screams ultra-modern technology from every angle.
The program team has taken a holis- tic approach to stealth, with elements at every stage addressing electronic counter measures, signature reduction and elec- tromagnetic emission control.
The system employs jamming, deception
and signature augmentation strategies along- side a suite of datalinks across the spectrum and new sensors that focus on low detect- ability. On the design front, the engine inlet alone is worthy of note. Made from radar absorbing structures, the design is not visible from the bottom of the aircraft at all.
The diverterless inlet has provisions to suppress IR radiation with all the apertures
DR BRENDAN NELSON TO LEAD BOEING AUSTRALIA
BOEING has appointed Dr Brendan Nelson as the next president of Boeing Australia, NZ and South Pacific, based in Sydney.
Maureen Dougherty, who has served as the company’s president for the Oceania region since 2014, will retire in March af- ter a transition with Dr Nelson.
Effective 11 February, Dr Nelson will become chairman of the board for Boeing Australia Holdings and the company’s senior leader for its 3,800 employees working across commercial airplane manufacturing, defence systems, services, research and development, and autonomous systems.
He will also execute the com- pany’s strategy for community engagement, focusing on STEM and veteran outreach efforts.
“Boeing is proud to have Bren- dan join our team after his many years of outstanding public and private sector service,” Michael Arthur, president of Boeing Inter-
national, said. “His proven ability to under- stand and manage complex situations – first as a medical doctor, later as a government leader and diplomat – will be put to good use as he leads Boeing Australia, the company’s largest presence outside the US and home to a large engineering and technical staff.
Most recently, Dr Nelson served as the director of the Australian War Memorial. He began his career in 1985 as a medical practitioner before going on to lead the Aus- tralian Medical Association. In 1996, he was elected to the Federal Parliament of Austra- lia where he went on to serve five years as Minister for Education, Science and Training, two years as Minister for Defence. He was elected leader of Australia’s Lib- eral Party in 2007 and led the Opposition until 2008. He later served as Australia’s ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the EU
and NATO until 2012.
BOEING
AIRBUS