Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/861022
time when full production routers for Raytheon and used in Patriot systems were shown in public. The router was to be exported a couple of days after the fair, with new orders incoming on an on-going basis. Moreover, there was a pre-premiere presentation of the newest element of the Jasmine system - the JFSS Jasmine data exchange system for joint fire support, to be tested during Bold Quest 2017 exercises in the USA. Taking into account the fact that other elements of the system had been tested during previous editions of Bold Quest, with the results of the tests being positive, the TELDAT representatives have good reasons to hope for the best. All of the exhibited solutions earned them a second class Air Fair prize. An interesting side note: one of the guests visiting TELDAT stand was the ambassador of Iraq – a country that is consistently developing and modernizing its armed forces and law enforcement to let the state have a full control over the internal situation. As already mentioned, apart from Polish companies, there were also foreign exhibitors presenting their latest developments such as Israeli IAI and Swedish Saab IAI showcased Harop loitering munition UAV. The company presented also a model of its MRTT aircraft based on Boeing 767. The presence of the said model at the fair is related to the announcement of the Karkonosze program, as part of which a aircraft of this class is to be purchased. As reported by the Armaments Inspectorate, IAI sent an application as part of a consortium established with WZL nr 2 S.A., which might carry out a significant part of adaptation works 'on the spot' thanks to its advanced Service Center – in cooperation with IAI, of course. Unlike Airbus and Boeing, IAI offers reconstruction and adapta- tion services that make it possible to reuse airframes from the secondary market and transform them into MRTTs. At first, the offer included a smaller 767-200ER, but the lower number of planes in good condition made the com- pany decide to promote solutions based on larger (and more popular) 767-300ERs whose life cycle in passenger lines is to end soon because they are driven out by newer Boeing 787 Dreamliners or Airbus' aircraft. As part of a conversion project performed successfully to the benefit of Columbia, IAI intends to install cargo fuselage door to enable loading to the main board. After the aircraft's struc- ture has been reinforced and had a set of rolls installed, it has become easily rearranged – apart from transport- ing palletized cargo loads, it can be now fitted with VIP or passenger modules (offering standard chairs), or medical rescue modules. The load cabin can now feature addi- tional fuel tanks, and fuel can be fed to other machines through an underfuselage rigid boom or underwing tanks with flexible hoses. Currently, IAI is interested in supplying MRTTs based on 767-300ERs not only to Poland, but also to Israel, where the future of the fleet of machines of this class is currently a hot topic. Saab, in turn, is trying to get Polish MOD interested in a range of special purpose aircraft. At present, the main pri- ority of the said programs is the purchase of maritime pa- trol aircraft with ASW/AsuW capabilities, to be used by the Naval Aviation Brigade. In the case of the plane in ques- tion, Saab offers Swordfish – a militarized Bombardier Global 6000 adapted to MPA role. While the favorite in the context of the purchase of MPA so far has been Airbus and its C295 Persuader, there have been more and more talks about opting for a jet capable to carry guided an- ti-ship missiles. Such requirement would eliminate the C295 from competing whatsoever. Unfortunately, while the deadline for submission of ap- plication documents expired on 31 May, the Armaments Inspectorate did not give any information (until the closing date) on which companies responded to the an- nounced analytical-conceptual stage. What's more, since 2016 there have been talks of another project related to acquiring surveillance aircraft for the Polish Air Force. According to the available information, both programs are to involve acquisition of three aircraft. Perhaps purchase of Gulfstream G550 will lead to unification by acquiring additional aircraft of this type in a specialty variants? According to the president of the board of WZL nr 2 S.A., Air Fair 2017 was the last Air Fair organized in the form as we know it. Due to a number of requests from exhibitors, the next edition of the fair will take place in 2019. Is it go- ing to be any good for the fair? Only time will tell. www.fragoutmag.com