Damen Shipyard Unveils SIGMA 6110 Corvette at
NAVDEX 2017
New XMini Robotic Manufacturing System introduced by Exechon at IDEX 2017
Exechon, LLC, a joint-venture (JV) company comprising Abu Dhabi-based Injaz National, U.S. global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin, and Sweden-based Tecgrant AB, introduced its new XMini today at the International Defence Exposition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
New XMini Robotic Manufacturing System showcased at IDEX 2017
The XMini is a robotic, next-generation intelligent portable machine system that uses Parallel Kinematics Machining (PKM) to support industrial automated manufacturing capabilities. As a standalone tool or as part of an existing production system, the XMini merges the flexibility and high dynamics of the articulated-arm robot with the stiffness and accuracy of the rigid machine tool. The device, which is made of carbon fiber, can be taken apart and reassembled inside spaces traditionally inaccessible to machines or people, such as an aircraft wing box.
The XMini is the first product developed by the JV, and establishes an engineering and manufacturing center for advancing this technology in the aerospace, defense and automotive sectors, as well as other industrial areas. The facility is set to open at Masdar Institute in 2017.
"Exechon is based in the UAE to nurture local innovation and accelerate the expansion of industrial automation and robotics manufacturing in the region," said Kalle Neumann, Exechon chief executive officer. "The XMini on display at IDEX is built locally in Abu Dhabi to support international aerospace, defense and automotive markets around the world."
Commenting on the partnership, Rick Edwards, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said, "We are excited to celebrate this milestone in the partnership with local experts to develop the XMini, which will enhance local manufacturing capabilities and create long-term economic benefits. The XMini reflects Lockheed Martin's commitment to supporting the UAE's goal of becoming the leading supplier of cutting-edge, automated manufacturing technology."
His Excellency Sultan Rashed Saeed Al Dhaheri, chairman of Injaz National added, "Today marks an important step in our international collaboration to bring this new technology and manufacturing capacity into the UAE. We look forward to continuing our partnership to facilitate meaningful and lasting economic impact throughout the Emirates."
Exechon has several key partnerships in the UAE and around the world to bring its products to market:
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Tawazun Economic Council. The Council made the formation of the JV possible through its support of the UAE's strategy to develop advanced and pioneering technology for the UAE and worldwide markets.
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Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. The Masdar Institute is a research-oriented university in Abu Dhabi. Our Application and Technology Center will be located on its campus.
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Premier Composites. Dubai-based Premier Composites is the supplier for XMini carbon fiber components. Maintaining a local supply chain for critical parts lowers costs and maximizes local economic value addition.
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AAR. An industry-leading provider of aviation services and integrated supply-chain solutions, U.S.-based AAR is responsible for XMini strategic production sourcing, procurement, kitting, and aftermarket component distribution.
The XMini can be found on display in the Lockheed Martin stand at IDEX, at 01-A11 in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
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IDEX 2017 Arabic Military Industries section
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Airbus Zephyr HAPS makes first civil flight in Dubai
Posted 25 September 2014
A team of engineers from the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) and the Airbus Zephyr programme has successfully completed the first civil flight of the Airbus Zephyr High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS).
The flight, completed last week in Dubai, achieved the highest altitude ever reached in the United Arab Emirates, 61,696 ft., and by completing a full day / night cycle of operation also recorded the longest flight of any aircraft within the UAE.
The flight was approved by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and represents the first time that a HAPS operation has been authorised by a civil authority.
"DCAA are proud to have been able to support EIAST and Airbus to complete the first flight of a High Altitude pseudo-satellite in the UAE." said Michael Rudolph of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and then explained the importance of the operation.
"By working closely with EIAST, Airbus, DCAA, Sheikh Zayed Centre and our military Air Force colleagues we have been able to complete not only the first flight of such a novel air vehicle but also safely manage a flight to above 60,000 feet close to one of the three busiest airports in the world. This shows that Dubai and the DCAA hold a leading position in developing and implementing procedures and policies for the safe and efficient operation of UAVs within the region"
Sarah Amiri, EIAST Programme manager for the Advanced Aerial Systems Programme said “This has been an outstanding cooperation between Airbus, EIAST and the Dubai CAA and we are delighted that within a few short months we have integrated, tested and flown such an advanced unmanned aircraft and been able to demonstrate a number of applications that are critical to Dubai and the wider world.”
“The flight in Dubai demonstrated the ability of Zephyr to operate in regions of the world’s most crowded airspaces”, said Chris Kelleher, Technical Director of the Airbus HAPS programme. ”I am immensely grateful for the support and diligence of the Dubai CAA and other authorities in working closely with the combined EIAST Airbus Team to ensure a safe and successful stratospheric flight. With all systems working well in temperatures ranging between +40oC and -80oC and up to a maximum altitude of 61,696ft, this flight further reinforces confidence in Zephyr for users and regulators.”
Jens Federhen, Head of the Airbus HAPS programme, highlighted the importance of this most recent flight for the Airbus programme: ”Airbus has long recognised the value that HAPS can bring to important civil applications such as resource management, environmental monitoring and support to emergency services and it was critical that we demonstrated that the Zephyr could be operated under civil jurisdiction to enable these services to be offered. With the support of the Dubai CAA, EIAST has shown, for the first time anywhere, that such operations can be undertaken in the civil domain.”
EIAST and Airbus now intend to work together on the development of more advanced HAPS systems and payloads and, through further demonstrating safe flight operations, to enable these systems to provide essential services to the civil and commercial markets.
http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/airbus-zephyr-haps-makes-first-civil-flight-in-dubai.html
Zephyr, the High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite
Zephyr is a High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) that fills a capability gap between satellites and UAVs:
- runs exclusively on solar power
- flies above the weather and above commercial air traffic.
Replacing one conventional UAV with just one Zephyr would save 2,000 tons of fuel each year.
Uniquely designed for both military and commercial purposes, Zephyr can deliver numerous payload capabilities across two platforms. Zephyr S with its ability to carry payloads, offering voice, data communications both line of sight and beyond the line of sight, and line of sight high resolution optical imagery. Zephyr T carrying larger payloads offers the ability to bring more active payloads to the fore; for example, widespread, persistent internet coverage to remote areas of the globe, and active RADAR. Together they enable real-time mapping, internet and a number of surveillance opportunities to meet a broad range of requirements.
THE ZEPHYR FAMILY
Zephyr S
Zephyr T
Airbus has two variants of the Zephyr designed to accommodate a variety of payload capacities.
Zephyr S is the name of the production variant of the Zephyr 8 vehicle.
The larger size of the Zephyr T (Twin) vehicle enables it to accommodate payloads with larger masses and continuous power in excess of 300W to accommodate for example RADAR, LIDAR,ESM/ELINT and Broadband CommsA key feature of the Zephyr family is that they share common avionics, software, power flosystems, propulsion design and command and control and aero-structural design and elements. This means that production of the larger vehicle follows closely on the success of the Zephyr S.
More info on Zephyr S and Zephyr T
USE ZEPHYR S FOR:
- Maritime & Border surveillance
- Environmental surveillance
- In-theatre C4ISTAR relay
- Missile detection
- Navigation
- SIGINT
- Ad-hoc communication bandwith
- Continuous imagery
- Many further …
More information on Zephyr S
