JetSMART selects NAVBLUE’s ROPS system for its fleet

· Signs largest ROPS agreement by a low cost carrier in South America· NAVBLUE will equip the airline’s 100 A320 Family aircraft with the Airbus Runway Overrun Protection System
· This deal confirms the success of this innovative system on the market with more than 900 aircraft equipped

Airbus subsidiary NAVBLUE will provide Chile’s low-cost carrier JetSMART with the Airbus Runway Overrun Protection System (ROPS). Under the agreement, which was signed at the FIDAE Air Show in Santiago, Chile, NAVBLUE will equip 100 aircraft, including retrofit of three aircraft already in operation. As a result JetSMART’s entire A320 Family fleet will be equipped with ROPS by the end of 2026.

Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSMART, said: “As a modern airline, our strategy is to look for the best aircraft with the most up-to-date systems, and Airbus A320 Family aircraft with ROPS are clearly the best answer to our crews’ needs in terms of safety of operation.”

Fabrice Hamel, CEO of NAVBLUE, said: “We are proud that the ROPS system has been selected by JetSMART, this deal is a true vote of confidence in our overrun protection solution.”

Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS) is an on-board cockpit technology which Airbus and NAVBLUE have pioneered over several years. It is an alerting system which reduces exposure to runway overrun risk, and if necessary, provides active protection. It compares remaining runway length to expected stopping distance in real time to prevent runway overrun. So far, ROPS has been installed on more than 900, single-aisle and Widebody  aircraft and many more are awaiting delivery.

Runway excursion – meaning either an aircraft veering off the side of the runway, or overrunning at the very end – remains the primary cause of civil airliner hull losses. ROPS is the only overrun prevention system certified by all leading authorities.

JetSmart is an ultra low-cost Chilean airline created by US investment fund Indigo Partners, which also controls US airline Frontier Airlines, Mexico's Volaris and Hungarian airline Wizz Air. Its primary base of operations is Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, Chile.

Leonardo strengthens local support for Chilean helicopter fleet with new Authorised Service Centre

- Aerocardal  Limitada  appointed  as  an  Authorised  Service  Centre  for  AW109  light twin-engine  and  AW119 single-engine  helicopters  in Chile 

- Leonardo  is  committed  to  expanding  the  level  of  customer  services  for  new  models entering  the  market,  such  as  the  AW109  Trekker,  recently  sold in Chile

- Leonardo’s  helicopter  fleet  in  Chile  exceeds  20  aircraft  including  AW119,  AW109, AW139  and  W-3A  Sokol  types  carrying  out  VIP/corporate  passenger  transport, firefighting,  utility  and law  enforcement

Santiago,  5  April  2018  –  Leonardo  announced  today  that  Aerocardal  Limitada  has  been  appointed an  Authorised  Service  Centre  for  its  helicopters  in  Chile.  The  announcement  was  made  during  an official  ceremony  held  at  FIDAE  2018.  Under  the  agreement,  Aerocardal  Limitada  will  provide comprehensive  support  and  maintenance  services  from  its  base  at  Comodoro  Arturo  Merino Benítez  international  Airport,  for  Chilean  owners  and  operators  of  AW109  light  twin-engine  and AW119  single-engine  helicopters. 

As  an  established  operator  of  two  Leonardo  AW109  Grand  helicopters  for  emergency  medical service,  Aerocardal  Limitada  has  been  delivering  maintenance  services  for  the  AW109  Power, Grand  and  Grandnew  types  in  Chile  for  eight  years.  It  is  now  reinforcing  its  support  capabilities extending  its  range  of  services  to  new  models,  including  the  latest  addition  to  the  Chilean  fleet  of Leonardo  products,  the  AW109  Trekker  which has  recently  entered  this  market. 

This  latest  agreement  provides  further  evidence  of  Leonardo’s  commitment  to  expanding  its  range of  customer  services  close  to  operators  around  the  world,  as  its  fleet  and  customer  base  grow stronger.  Over  20  Leonardo  helicopters  are in  service in  Chile today,  including  the  AW119,  AW109, AW139  and  W-3A  Sokol  models  performing  VIP  transport,  firefighting,  law  enforcement, emergency  medical  service  and utility  tasks. 

Over  400  Leonardo  helicopters  are  operated  by  military  and  civil  customers  in  Latin  America, making  Leonardo  a  major  force  in  the  regional  helicopter  sector.  The  helicopters  are  used  for  the widest  range  of  applications  including  naval  roles,  law  enforcement  and  homeland  security, EMS/SAR,  firefighting  and disaster  relief,  utility,  VVIP-VIP/corporate  and offshore  transport.

Operating  since  1991  with  zero  accidents,  Aerocardal  Limitada  provides  a  wide  range  of aeronautical  services  including  fixed  wing  executive  transport  and  MEDEVAC,  helicopter ambulance  services  as  well  as  full  maintenance  for  Chilean  registered  and  FAA  certified  aircraft and engines. 

A350-900 lands in Chile for FIDAE air show

World’s most modern airliner on static and flying display during Latin America’s iconic air show

The A350-900 flight test aircraft arrived at Santiago Chile’s Arturo Merino Benitez Airport for the 20th edition of the FIDAE air show, where it will be on static display and take part in flying demonstrations between 2-5 April.

The A350-900 displayed in Santiago, MSN002, first made its debut at FIDAE in 2016. MSN002 is one of the five original development test aircraft, fitted with a two-class cabin with 42 lie-flat, business-class seats in a four-abreast configuration and 210 economy-class seats in a nine-abreast configuration. This aircraft was used for testing all cabin-related systems, which have demonstrated a high level of maturity since the A350-900’s entry into service in 2015.             

The A350-900 is a member of the A350 XWB Family, an all-new family of mid-size widebody long-haul airliners shaping the future of air travel. Since its launch, Airbus has captured nearly 50 percent market share of net orders of widebody aircraft in Latin America.

In 2016, LATAM Airlines Group became the first operator in the Americas to fly the A350 XWB when it started operating its first of 27 on order. Other A350 XWB customers in the region include Synergy Aerospace, Avianca’s main shareholder and owner of Avianca Brasil, which has ordered 10 A350 XWB.

The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. More than 26 million passengers have already enjoyed the absolute comfort of the A350 XWB Airspace cabin which, on top of the aircraft’s spaciousness and quietness, provides better ambience, design and services.

Currently operated by 17 airlines, the A350 XWB has flown more than 100,000 flight cycles over more than 200 routes.

Leonardo to provide UK defensive aids suite for British Army’s new Apache AH-64E helicopters

•  Leonardo will  integrate  a  suite  of  UK  sensors  and  countermeasures  on  the  Army’s  new Apache  helicopters  to  ensure  they  are  protected  against  current  and  future  threats 

•  Leonardo  provides  defensive  electronic  warfare  capabilities  across  UK  Armed  Forces helicopters  including  for  the  AW159  Wildcat,  AW101  Merlin,  Chinook  and  Puma   

•  Leonardo  is  Europe’s  leader  in  airborne  electronic  warfare,  with  equipment  in  service  on numerous  platform  types  internationally.  Notably,  the  company  leads  the  provision  of  the integrated  defensive  aids  sub-system  for  the  Eurofighter  Typhoon   

Santiago,  3  April  2018  –  Leonardo  has  announced,  at  the  FIDAE  exhibition  in  Chile  (3-8  April),  that it  has  been  contracted  by  the  UK  Ministry  of  Defence  (MOD)  to  provide  a  defensive  aids  suite (DAS)  for  the  British  Army’s  new  fleet  of  Apache  AH-64E  helicopters.  Under  related  contracts  from the  UK  MOD  and  Boeing,  Leonardo  will  integrate  sensors  and  countermeasures  to  ensure  that  UK Apaches  remain  amongst  the  best  protected  attack  helicopters  in  the  world. 

Combat  helicopters  like  the  Apache  fly  at  relatively  low  speeds  compared  to  fighter  jets  and  often at  low  altitudes,  so  they  are  vulnerable  to  a  wide  range  of  threats  including  infrared-guided  missiles and  anti-tank  guided  weapons.  An  integrated  defensive  aids  suite  helps  protect  a  helicopter  from threats  in  a  joined-up  way.  A  complete  system  includes  sensors  to  identify  threats  to  the  helicopter, countermeasures  to  defeat  these  threats  and  a  computer  that  coordinates  the  whole  system, linking  the  incoming  warnings  with  protection  techniques  such  as  chaff  or  flares. 

Minister  for  Defence  Procurement  Guto  Bebb  said  “UK  Apaches  provide  our  Armed  Forces  with world-leading  capabilities  in  the  field  of  combat.  Today’s  announcement  will  see  our  aircraft  fitted with  cutting-edge  British  protection  to  rapidly  detect  and  defeat  inbound  threats.  This  is  a  welcome boost  for  UK  jobs  and  investment  which  is  part  of  the  Government’s  recently  announced  Defence Industrial  Policy  Refresh.”

Every  Apache  AH-64E  that  comes  off  the  production  line,  regardless  of  its  end  user,  already  has  a built-in  Leonardo  defensive  aids  suite  computer,  known  as  an  ‘AGP’  (Aircraft  Gateway  Processor). This  project  will  see  Leonardo  take  the  UK’s  Apache  defensive  aids  suite  a  step  further  by integrating  a  number  of  sensors  and  countermeasure  systems  onto  the  AH-64E  to  enhance  its situational  awareness  and  survivability. 

The  helicopters’  sensor  fit  will  include  Leonardo’s  SG200-D  radar  warning  receiver  (the  UK-specific variant  of  the  company’s  SEER  family)  and  will  re-use  a  number  of  systems  that  are  currently  onboard  the  Army’s  fleet  of  Apache  AH  Mk1.  These  re-used  sensors  and  effectors  include Leonardo’s  S1223  laser  warning  receiver,  the  BAE  Systems  AN/AAR-57  missile  approach  warner and  the  Thales  Vicon  countermeasure  dispensing  system.  Initially  these  systems  will  be  taken  from spares stores  and  the  remainder  will  become  available  when  the  AH  Mk1s  retire  from  service  in 2023/24.  This  means  that  the  British  Army  will  experience  a  seamless  transition  to  the  new helicopter  type  with  both  old  and  new  models  being  equipped  with  integrated  protective  suites  on operations. 

Integration will  be  conducted  by  Leonardo  in  Luton  and  the  complete  system  will  then  be  installed by  Boeing  on  its  AH-64E  production  line  in  the  United  States.  All  50  helicopters  being  procured  by the  UK  MoD  will  be  capable  of  operating  with  the  integrated  defensive  aids  suite. 

A  key  benefit  to  the  British  Army  of  equipping  the  Apache  AH-64E  with  a  UK  sovereign  defensive aids  capability  is  that  the  MOD  will  be  able  to  continue  to  re-program  the  helicopter’s  defensive aids  suite  to  respond  to  changing  battlefield  conditions.  This  is  a  critical  support  function  known  as ‘Electronic  Warfare  Operational  Support’,  or  ‘EWOS’,  which  the  UK  has  developed  a  world-leading capability  in  at  the  MoD’s  Air  Warfare  Centre  at  RAF  Waddington,  supported  by  Leonardo  at  its EWOS facility  in  nearby  Lincoln.  Being  able  to  keep  the  defensive  suite  up-to-date  without  needing to  consult  another  country  gives  the  UK  essential  freedom  of  operation.

Leonardo  already  provides  defensive  aid  suites  across  the  UK  Armed  Forces’  helicopter  fleet  and provides  EWOS  support  to  all  of  these  platforms.  Existing  Apache  AH  Mk1  helicopters  are  all equipped  with  the  company’s  HIDAS  system,  which  stands  for  ‘Helicopter  Integrated  Defensive Aids  Suite’.  Leonardo’s  AW159  Wildcat  helicopters,  which  are  operated  by  the  British  Army  and Royal  Navy,  also  carry  HIDAS  systems. 

As  well  as  providing  defensive  aids  suites  for  new  UK  helicopters,  Leonardo  has  retro-fitted  all  of the  UK’s  Chinook  helicopters  with  defensive  aids  suite  capabilities  (including  the  latest  HC  Mk  6 standard).  Under  this  project,  Leonardo  brought  together  all  of  the  Chinook’s  existing  sensor  and effector  systems  into  an  integrated  system  that  offers  similar  decision  making  capabilities  to  the HIDAS  system.  The  company  has  also  conducted  a  similar  retro-fit  integration  on  the  UK’s  Puma fleet  and  is  currently  doing  so  for  the  Merlin  helicopter  under  the  HC  Mk  4  upgrade  programme. Like  the  Apache  AH-64E,  both  RAF  Puma  and  Chinook  helicopters  are  also  receiving  updated radar  warning  capabilities  in  the  form  of  Leonardo’s  SG200-D  which  in  the  case  of  the  Puma  and Chinook  is  replacing  the  platforms’  previously  installed  Leonardo  Sky  Guardian  200  systems. 

In  addition  to  helicopters,  Leonardo  also  provides  integrated  defensive  aids  protection  for  combat jets,  leading  the  EuroDASS  consortium  (which  also  includes  Leonardo’s  Italian  partner  Elettronica as  well  as  Hensoldt  in  Germany  and  Indra  in  Spain)  to  provide  the  Praetorian  Defensive  Aids  Sub System  for  the  Eurofighter  Typhoon  jet.  The  company  has  recently  been  contracted  to  upgrade  the system  on  RAF  Typhoons  to  ensure  that  Praetorian  can  continue  to  identify  and  defeat  known  and emerging  threats.

Airbus to be largest exhibitor at FIDAE

Latest  products,  services  to  be  showcased  at  Latin  America’s  leading  airshow 

Santiago  de  Chile,  28  March  2018–Airbus  will  have  a  major  presence  at  the  20th  FIDAE Airshow,  showcasing  the  latest  products,  services  and  innovations  in  the  commercial  aircraft, defence,  space  and  helicopter  markets.  Since  1994  Airbus  has  participated  in  the  biennial show,  which will  takes  place  at  Santiago’s  Arturo  Merino Benitez  Airport  between 3  -  8  April.

After  making  its  first  debut  at  FIDAE  in  2016,  the  A350-900  is  back  and  will  be  on  static display  and  take  part  in  flying  demonstrations  between  2  -  5  April.  The  A350-900  is  the cornerstone  of  the  A350  XWB  Family,  an  all-new  family  of  mid-size  wide-body  long-haul airliners  shaping  the  future  of  air  travel,  and  since  its  launch  Airbus  has  captured  nearly  50 percent  market  share of  net  orders  of  widebody  aircraft  in  Latin America.                   

The  highlight  of  Airbus  Defence and Space’s  presence at  FIDAE  includes  an  A400M  from  the Spanish Air  Force.  This  new-generation  military  airlifter  has  proven  its  capabilities in  the  most demanding  theaters,  also  playing  a  critical  role  in  humanitarian  operations  around  the  world. The  highly-versatile  C295  military  transport  and  mission  aircraft  from  the  Mexican  Air  Force (SEDENA)  will  also  be  on  static  display.  Airbus  is  the  preferred  partner  of  all  three  of  Chile’s armed  forces,  with  12  light  and  medium  military  transport  aircraft  –C212,  CN235  and  C295- in  operation.  In  the  space  field,  Airbus  will  exhibit  its  satellite  offering.  Visitors  will  see  a mockup  of  the  AstroBus-S,  a  compact  satellite  with  high  performance  that  was  the  basis  of the  Perú  SAT-1,  the  Peruvian  satellite  built  in  a  timeframe  of  less  than  two  years  and successfully  launched  in  September  2016. 

Leading  the  region’s  helicopter  market  with  39  percent  of  deliveries  in  the  past  five  years, Airbus  Helicopters  will  showcase  a  wide  range  of  products  already  in  service.  From  the  light single  engine  H125  and  H130  to  the  medium  H155,  to  the  light  twin  engine  H135  and  H145, visitors  will  discover  that  Airbus  has  the  right  product  for  every  helicopter  mission. 

Making  its  debut  at  FIDAE,  Airbus  Helicopters’  highlight  at  the  show  will  be  the  H145,  which will  be  delivered  to  Chilean  operator  Ecocopter,  becoming  the  first  of  its  type  in  service  in  the country.  With  more  than  100  helicopters  in  service,  the  Super  Puma  family  will  be represented  by  the  nine-ton  H215M  which  combines  mission-proven  ruggedness  with  a  full glass  cockpit,  modern  avionics,  and  very  competitive  operating  and  maintenance costs.    Operated  by  both  Chile’s  army  and navy,  the  H215M  will  be  part  of  their  display.

Key  Airbus  activities at  FIDAE  include:

- Airbus  will  host  a  series  of  media  briefings  covering  the  commercial,  helicopter, military  aircraft  and space systems  markets

- Airbus  will  sponsor  a  variety  of  events  running  in  parallel  with  FIDAE  or  organized  by FIDAE,  such  as  the  IATA  Wings  of  Change  Conference,  Aviation  Leaders  Forum  and the  IV  Space  Conference and  the  LARS  2018  Conference

- Airbus  will  also  kick  off  the  2018  edition  of  InPlaneSight,  a  A400M  global  photo competition  launched  to  celebrate  the  A400M  entering  into  service  with  Air  Forces around  the  world

Latin America is one of the first markets and sourcing partner regions for Airbus, with an order backlog of $50 billion and a legacy business that goes back more than 40 years. As one of Airbus’ key markets, Latin America is home to over 1,200 Airbus employees, at 21 sites across six countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay).

Leonardo to exhibit at the FIDAE Air Show, looking to Latin America as a sustainable-growth market

- On  display  will  be  two  Peruvian  Air  Force  C-27J  aircraft  and  a  Carabineros  de Chile  AW139  helicopter

- A new Leonardo office  has  opened  in Santiago

Rome,  26  March  2018  –  Leonardo  is  ready  to  attend  FIDAE  2018,  one  of  the  most  important Aerospace,  Defence  and  Security  exhibitions  in  South  America,  which  opens  its  doors  on  the  3rd April  in  Santiago,  Chile.  Looking  to  grow  its  business  in  Latin  America,  Leonardo  (stand  B44)  will be  exhibiting  a  range  of  products  that  can  meet  the  needs  of  the  armed  forces  of  Chile  and  other Latin American  nations  as  well  as  those of  commercial  helicopter  operators.

Leonardo  will  be  showcasing  several  of  its  rotorcraft  for  military  and  commercial  customers including  the  medium-heavy  three-engine  AW101  and  the  single-engine  AW119Kx  helicopters.  An intermediate  twin-engine  AW139  helicopter  operated  by  the  Carabineros  de  Chile  will  be  exhibited in  its  law  enforcement  configuration  in  the  customers’  static  display  area.  With  over  20  helicopters in  service  in  Chile  including  the  AW119,  AW109,  AW139  and  W-3A  Sokol  models,  and  over  400 military  and  civil  helicopters  operational  in  the  wider  region,  Leonardo  is  a  major  force  in  the helicopter  sector.  The  Company’s  helicopters  are  used  for  a  wide  range  of  applications  including naval  roles,  law  enforcement  and  homeland  security,  emergency  medical  service,  search  and rescue,  firefighting  and  disaster  relief,  utility,  VVIP-VIP/corporate and  offshore  transport. 

FIDAE  Air  Show  will  also  host  two  Peruvian  Air  Force  C-27Js,  a  type  chosen  by  the  customer  for its  ability  to  operate  safely  and  efficiently  from  high  altitude,  unprepared  airstrips  in  the  Andes  and from  local  airfields.  One  of  the  key  roles  of  the  C-27J  is  the  efficient  and  cost  effective  delivery  of humanitarian  aid.  The  C-27J  allows  Armed  Forces  to  rapidly  deliver  aid,  cargo  and  vehicles  for emergencies,  in  all  weather  conditions,  night  and  day,  to  any  geographical  location  (including  the Andes,  the  Antarctic  and  the  Chilean  Pacific  Islands),  all  the  while  providing  a  high  level  of  safety for  the  crew  and passengers.   

Leonardo  has  been  present  in  Latin  America  since  the  1930s,  with  its  fixed-wing  trainers  present  in the  region  since  the  ‘60s.  All  South  American  countries  have  operated  Siai  Marchetti  or  Aermacchi (both  now  Leonardo)  trainers  and  fighter-bombers,  used  with  great  success  in  defence  and security  operations.  Leonardo’s  trainers  meet  requirements  across  the  region  and  the  new  M-345 and  M-346  Fighter  Attack  aircraft  perfectly  match  the  needs  of  several  Latin  American  air  forces due to  their  low  acquisition  and  operational  costs  compared  with other  basic-advanced  trainers  and for  their  high  performance  versus  other  air  policing/airspace  control  aircraft.

Leonardo  has  contributed to the  security  of  Chile  by  providing  the  Armed  Forces with  world-leading electronic  systems  and  sensors.  The  Company  has  delivered  land  communications  equipment  to Chile  for  many  decades.  To  meet  new  net-centric  requirements  and  to  improve  effectiveness  of joint  operations,  Leonardo  has  developed  new  SDR  (Software  Defined  Radio)  communication systems  for  soldiers  and  tactical  vehicle  systems  that  will  be  showcased  alongside  the  Company’s hand-held IR  camera. 

Its  experience  and  expertise  in  the  field  of  electronics,  defence  and  security  systems  makes Leonardo  a leader  in the  domain,  able to provide  solutions such  as  the  Falco  Evo  Remotely-Piloted Air  System  (RPAS),  which  can  carry  multiple  sensors  to  provide  persistent  surveillance.  Other technologies  on-show  include  an  Identification  Friend  or  Foe  (IFF)  system  which  meets  the  new Mode  5  standard,  the  future  NATO  and  allied  forces  baseline  which  will  replace  Mode  4  by  2020, and  the  readily-exportable  Miysis  Directed  Infra-Red  Counter  Measure  (DIRCM)  system,  which provides  protection  for  airborne  platforms  against  heat-seeking missiles.