AALTO & UK CAA Milestone
AALTO HAPS Ltd., a pioneering company designing, manufacturing, and operating the stratospheric, solar-powered Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), has made history by securing its Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Air Show, following months of engagement between AALTO and the UK CAA. The DOA is a crucial step towards Type Certification of the Zephyr Z8 aircraft, a prerequisite for UK-based companies before commercializing their services globally.
Zephyr, known for its record-breaking 64-day flight in the stratosphere, is a world-leading HAPS poised to revolutionize mobile connectivity and earth observation. As a payload-agnostic platform, Zephyr can deliver multiple applications, including low-latency 5G direct-to-device connectivity and high-quality earth observation services.
AALTO’s CEO, Samer Halawi, expressed his delight, stating, “This approval underscores the regulatory confidence in HAPS as we demonstrate the potential of providing cutting-edge services from the stratosphere. The UK CAA continues to show its global leadership as an enabler of sustainable technology such as Zephyr.”
Pierre-Antoine Aubourg, AALTO’s CTO, added, “This validation from a world-leading aviation authority is testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams at AALTO.”
Garry Lathey, UK CAA’s Design and Certification Manager, stated, “We are committed to working with innovative companies like AALTO to ensure their ideas are realized safely and sustainably. This DOA brings us closer to a future with certified RPAS, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining the UK’s forefront position in global aviation innovation.”
Orbex Partners with Altair for UK Launch Services
In a significant development, Orbex, a UK-based spaceflight company, has announced its partnership with Altair, a leading provider of design and simulation technology, to support its orbital launch services. The agreement was revealed at the Farnborough Air Show 2024, marking a crucial step towards bringing orbital launch services to the UK.
Under the partnership, Altair will provide Orbex with access to its Hyper Works platform, which includes advanced structural simulation, composite design, and additive manufacturing solutions. This collaboration will enable Orbex to optimize the design and manufacturing process of its Orbex Prime micro launcher, which will vertically launch small satellites into Low Earth Orbit from its Sutherland Spaceport.
“We are proud to collaborate with Orbex and support its drive for small satellite development and launches,” said Dr. Pietro Cervellera, Senior Vice President Aerospace and Defence at Altair. “By utilizing Altair’s world-class design and simulation technologies, Orbex will be able to analyse launch vehicle components prior to manufacturing, ensuring efficient results and streamlining product production.”
Phil Chambers, CEO at Orbex, added, “With a strong focus on quality and sustainability, suppliers are a critical part of our journey to launch. This agreement with Altair takes us one step closer to delivering orbital launch services from the UK.”
This partnership follows Orbex’s recent agreement with MSP to supply technology to automate the production of components. With these collaborations, Orbex is poised to become a leading player in the UK’s orbital launch services industry.
Orbex has established headquarters, production, and testing facilities in Scotland, as well as design and testing facilities in Denmark. The company is rapidly progressing towards its first launch, with a focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation.
Kromek’s D3M Detector Selected
In a significant development, Kromek’s cutting-edge D3M detector has been chosen as the Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) under the UK Government Resilience Framework. This framework aims to strengthen the UK’s resilience system by preventing risks and crises, ensuring public safety and security.
The D3M detector, renowned for its exceptional situational awareness, has received its first order from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service as part of their Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) Equipment Uplift project. This project focuses on enhancing the service’s capabilities to detect Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Under the UK Government Resilience Framework, all blue light service operators in the UK, including fire, police, ambulances, and first responders, can now purchase the D3M detector for projects without undergoing a separate approval process. This four-year framework is slated to improve the UK’s resilience to civil contingencies risks by 2030.
Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, expressed his delight at the D3M detector’s selection, saying, “We are thrilled to have received our first order from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. The D3M is a world-leading radiation detector that offers unparalleled situational awareness. This recognition is a testament to the strength of our solutions and opens up a new commercial avenue for our CBRN products.”
Kromek’s D3M detector is set to play a vital role in supporting UK emergency services in identifying potential radiological threats and keeping the public safe.
Barnbrook & Flair’s FIA2024 Success
Barnbrook Systems, a specialist in global engineering solutions, has built on the success of its record-breaking Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2024, generating significant interest in its cutting-edge systems from major blue-chip companies and prime contractors, including Flair.
The company’s stand at FIA2024 saw a record number of visitors, with a notable presence from international business leaders and government officials, including a meeting between Managing Director Andrew Barnett and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on the opening day.
Barnbrook’s innovative solutions, including the advanced BlueDot remote sensing and tracking technology for hydrogen, the E-bag fire suppression system for lithium-ion batteries, and the latest generation of its inflight refuelling technology, garnered significant interest from potential customers.
Andrew Barnett stated, “It was our best airshow to date. We are now holding further talks with potential customers for our pioneering solutions, which have the potential to result in very significant business for the company and propel us to the next level of growth.”
In addition to its business success, Barnbrook is also expanding its ‘Engineering the Future’ talent and skills development program for interns, apprentices, and trainees.
Menzies, CHAMP Partner for Enhanced Cargo Management
Menzies Aviation has announced a new partnership with CHAMP Cargo systems to further enhance its recently launched Menzies Aviation’s Cargo Handling (MACH) cargo management system. As part of this collaboration, CHAMP will provide a standardized platform to deliver customs filing processes, leveraging its expertise in customs and security filing.
CHAMP’s Traxon Global Customs (TGC) solution will be integrated into MACH, enabling Menzies Aviation to process import, export, and transit controls with increased efficiency and compliance. This solution reduces the risk of customs ‘holds’ and allows Menzies to respond quickly to specific country customs requirements. With CHAMP’s platform, Menzies will have access to a single gateway for reporting to over 65 customs authorities worldwide.
The partnership follows a successful pilot program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where the Traxon solution was first launched. The plan is to deploy the solution across Menzies’ global network by the end of 2024.
Rory Fidler, Senior Vice President of Cargo Technology at Menzies Aviation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re looking forward to working with CHAMP to integrate Traxon Global Customs with our pioneering MACH cargo management system. This upgrade will further streamline our cargo operations, providing customers with seamless and efficient customs and security processes.”
Dirk Thorwirth, Head of Sales – Global Distribution Services at CHAMP, added, “We’re pleased to support Menzies Aviation’s global operations and cargo handling system. Traxon Global Customs is a fantastic tool that easily integrates into third-party platforms and drives efficiency through open and interconnected operations.”
With this partnership, Menzies Aviation is well-positioned for growth in the years to come, ensuring compliance with the ever-evolving regulatory landscape in the cargo industry.
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