Aerospace Industry

1. AERONEWS
OCTOBER 2023
SCHAUBLIN
25th October 2023
Airbus to renew its fleet of ships transporting aircraft parts between Europe
and the US
Airbus has plans to completely renew its fleet of ships used to transport aircraft sub-assemblies
between its factories in Europe and the USA. The change will be made with the acquisition of three
modern, low-emission vessels with roll-on/roll-off propulsion, supported by wind-assisted propulsion
technologies.
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, a shipping company, has been selected by Airbus to build, maintain and
operate these new efficient ships, which are due to enter service from 2026. The new fleet aims to
reduce average annual CO2 emissions during Atlantic crossings from 68,000 tonnes to 33,000 tonnes
by 2030.
This action highlights Airbus' commitment to reducing its industrial emissions by up to 63 per cent by
the end of the decade, using 2015 as a base year, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement to
limit global warming to 1.5°C.

2. "This renewal of our marine fleet is a major step forward in reducing our environmental impact," said
Nicolas Chrétien, Head of Sustainability and Environment at Airbus. "The latest generation of ships
proposed by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs is more fuel-efficient than its predecessors, utilising innovative
technologies such as wind-assisted propulsion. This demonstrates our determination to lead the
decentralisation of our sector by innovating not only in aviation, but in all our industrial operations."
"We are delighted to have been chosen by Airbus to develop this cutting-edge low-emission fleet and
to continue our long-standing partnership," said Edouard Louis-Dreyfus, chairman of Louis Dreyfus
Armateurs. "This new project, with high targets, reflects our ambition regarding the decentralisation
of the maritime industry. We are proud to support our customers in their energy transition by going
beyond their expectations, offering innovative solutions and promoting sustainable change."
The fleet renewal will be implemented gradually, with the aim of gradually replacing the chartered
vessels that transport aircraft assemblies between the factory in Saint-Nazaire, France, and the single-
aisle aircraft final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama.
The new ships will be equipped with six Flettner rotors - large rotating cylinders that generate lift
thanks to the wind, propelling the ship forwards - and two multi-mode engines, fuelled by marine
diesel and e-methanol. In addition, a routing programme will optimise the ships' journey across the
Atlantic, maximising wind propulsion and avoiding drag caused by adverse ocean conditions.
The fleet renewal also supports Airbus' ambition to increase production of the A320 family to 75
aircraft per month by 2026. Each new transatlantic ship will have the capacity to carry around seventy
40-foot containers and six aircraft sub-assembly sets, including wings, fuselage, engine pylons,
horizontal and vertical planes, compared to three to four sets on current cargo ships.
24th
October 2023
France and Airbus sign billion-dollar contract to support and modernise A330 MRTT fleet

3. Airbus Defence and Space has formalised two contracts with France's Direction Générale de
l'Armement (DGA) and Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMA), totalling €1.2 billion. These
contracts aim to promote Capacity Enhancement and In-Service Support for the French A330 MRTT
(Multi Role Tanker Transport) fleet.
Currently operating 12 A330 MRTTs under the nickname "Phenix", the French Air and Space Force has
accumulated more than 18,000 flight hours. France is the A330 MRTT's main customer, with 15
aircraft on order.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, expressed his
gratitude to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces for their continued confidence in the Airbus
A330 MRTT. He said: "With this new aircraft capability, we are preparing for the future by
transforming the MRTT into an in-flight communications node, as the first building block of the Multi
Role Tanker Transport of the future, integrated into the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)."
The Standard 2 contract marks a breakthrough for French MRTTs, with a focus on improving
connectivity and self-defence capabilities. The aim is to ensure effective connectivity, even in
challenging scenarios such as saturated environments and extreme weather conditions. This will be
achieved through the integration of the MELISSA satcom station.
These new capabilities will convert the French A330 MRTT into a high-bandwidth communications
relay node with command and control functionalities. This development is seen as a milestone for the
integration of the A330 MRTT into the future air combat cloud within the FCAS.
The first aircraft to receive the Standard 2 upgrade will be A330 MRTT No. 15, which is scheduled to
be completed at Airbus' military facility in Getafe and qualified for the French Air Force by 2028.
Following this, the upgrade to Standard 2 of the remaining 14 A330 MRTTs will take place at Istres Air
Base in France.
10-Year In-Service Support: Sustaining the 'Phenix' Fleet
The second contract, the Service Support of the "Phenix" fleet for a decade, with the possibility of an
optional two-year extension. Airbus, together with its partners in France, will lead fleet
modernisation, maintenance, logistics and technical support to ensure optimum operational
availability. Airbus' local team in France will be doubled to strengthen these operations.
These support services aim to guarantee a level of availability, responsiveness and resilience in line
with the stringent requirements of the French Air Force and Strategic Air Forces. This includes
support for aircraft deployed beyond French borders.
The A330 MRTT has a strong presence on the global stage, with 79 orders from 15 countries and an
impressive 90 per cent market share outside the United States. The fleet has accumulated more than
270,000 flight hours, cementing its reputation as a pillar of modern military aviation.
Information from Airbus

4. 12th
October 2023
Archer confirms US$65 million in financing for the world's largest eVTOL aircraft production plant
Archer Aviation, the US manufacturer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft,
announced yesterday, 11 October, that it has signed agreements with Synovus Bank and Evans
General Contractors for the financing and development of its high-volume production facility in
Covington, Georgia (USA).
Construction is already underway on the first phase of the Covington facility, with approximately
350,000 square feet (32,516 square metres), to support the production of up to 650 aircraft per year,
which would make it the largest eVTOL aircraft manufacturing facility in the world by volume.
Archer explains that it expects to produce the highest volume of eVTOL aircraft while having a
dramatically lower manufacturing capital cost than projects announced by competitors in the sector.
This week's announcement secures at least $65 million in financing, which represents a substantial
majority of the construction cost of the first phase of Archer's eVTOL manufacturing facility.
Together with previously announced incentives from the state of Georgia and Archer's partnership
with Stellantis, today's announcement advances the company's strategy of creating the most capital-
efficient path to scale production. This is also possible due to Archer's commercial strategy of
partnering with first-tier aerospace suppliers such as Honeywell and Safran for the majority of the
aircraft's components, called Midnight.
The first phase of Archer's high-volume manufacturing facility is scheduled for completion in 2024,
ahead of Midnight's planned entry into service in 2025.

5. The second phase of the facility will offer the ability to expand the operation to approximately
900,000 square feet (83,612 square metres) to support long-term production goals of more than
2,000 aircraft per year.
"The ability to manufacture eVTOL aircraft at scale is critical to building a successful business in this
industry and Archer continues to maintain significant leadership on this front. Today, we are taking
another major step in our manufacturing build, securing a design-build agreement and a financing
agreement for the world's first and largest eVTOL manufacturing facility," said Adam Goldstein,
Archer's founder and CEO.
"Consistent with our capital efficiency strategy to reach commercialisation, we have achieved
attractive terms on the project. These agreements, together with our already strong partnership with
Stellantis, give us the flexibility to increase our capacity and become the leading manufacturer of
scale eVTOL aircraft in the world," the CEO concluded.
Archer's goal is to transform urban travel by replacing 60-90 minute car journeys with electric aircraft
flights estimated at 10-20 minutes, which are safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with
ground transport.
The Midnight aircraft will be piloted and have a capacity for four passengers, designed to make quick
consecutive flights with minimal battery recharging time between flights.
11th
October 2023
KLM joins the advisory board of Heart Aerospace, manufacturer of the future ES-30 electric aircraft

6. Swedish aircraft manufacturer Heart Aerospace reports that the world's oldest active airline, the
Dutch KLM, is joining Heart's Industry Advisory Council to provide its insight into the design,
development and commercialisation of the company's first regional electric aircraft, the ES-30.
The Industry Advisory Council consists of airlines, governments, leasing companies and airports from
around the world, each representing a key part of the aviation ecosystem needed to support the
electrification of air travel.
KLM, which currently serves 162 destinations worldwide, is part of one of Europe's largest airline
groups, Air France-KLM, and has placed sustainability at the centre of its business strategy.
Heart Aerospace is developing the ES-30, a regional electric aeroplane with a standard capacity for 30
passengers, powered by electric motors with battery-derived energy.
The model will have an all-electric, zero-emission range of 200 kilometres, an extended hybrid range
of 400 kilometres with 30 passengers and the flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometres with 25
passengers, all including typical airline reservations.
Maarten Stienen, COO of KLM, said:
"It's important for us to support the development of zero-emission technologies and the ecosystem
needed to implement them. The decarbonisation of air travel will not happen overnight and there is
still no magic solution.
We must work together with all the partners in the chain to bring solutions and innovations. In Heart
Aerospace we have found a great partner who, like us, is willing to do everything to achieve
maximum results. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll get there."
Simon Newitt, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Heart Aerospace, said:
"With 'the Flying Dutchman' on our advisory board, we will all benefit from KLM's extensive
operational experience. You don't become the world's oldest airline without the ability to reinvent
yourself, so we're very excited to have KLM helping us shape the future."
Heart Aerospace has received a total of 250 firm orders for its ES-30, with options and purchase rights
for a further 120 aircraft. The company also has letters of intent for a further 91 aircraft.
9th
October 2023
Airbus officially kicks off the construction of a new maintenance centre for the large A400M aircraft

7. Airbus has just announced this Monday morning, October 9, that it has officially launched the
construction of the new maintenance centre for the large A400M multi-mission military aircraft in
Wunstorf, Germany.
The traditional inauguration ceremony took place at Wunstorf Air Base, the base for the German Air
Force's A400M military transport aircraft, and was held by the CEO of Airbus Defence and Space,
Michael Schöllhorn, together with high-ranking representatives of German politics and the German
Armed Forces.
At the new maintenance centre, around 300 employees will service and maintain A400M aircraft
from mid-2027. The search is mainly on for aeronautical engineering personnel.
According to current planning and depending on the progress of construction, the increase in
personnel should start gradually from 2025.
Currently, around 20 employees from the construction companies are on site; during peak
construction periods, more than 500 employees can work on site. Completion of the A400M
maintenance centre is scheduled for the end of 2026. Entry into service is scheduled for mid-2027,
following approval by the German Armed Forces Airworthiness Office.
"Here at the new Airbus A400M Wunstorf Maintenance Centre, we will deepen our cooperation with
the German Armed Forces and further improve the availability and operational capability of the
A400M. The new maintenance centre will sustainably strengthen the successful cooperation between
industry and the German Air Force," said Mike Schoellhorn.
9th
October 2023
Construction begins on the assembly line for VoltAero's Cassio hybrid electric aircraft

8. French aircraft manufacturer VoltAero said this week that it had taken another important step
towards large-scale production of its Cassio family of hybrid electric aircraft, with the inauguration of
construction work on a final assembly line at Rochefort Airport in the Charente-Maritime department
of France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
This 2,400 square metre facility will serve as a construction site and delivery centre for VoltAero's
new product line and will position the company in a strategic location in the south-west of France,
with a dynamic economy and an established industry presence - including the aviation sector.
The masterplan incorporates VoltAero's future growth potential of up to 7,400 square metres at
Rochefort Airport, as well as allowing suppliers and service providers to develop their own presence
while supporting the production of Cassio aircraft.
The company's industrial facility at Rochefort Airport was designed with a focus on sustainability. As
well as meeting or exceeding the requirements of the French RT 2005 regulations for energy-efficient
buildings, the project management team went further with features including a mixed
concrete/wood structural design and the use of wooden floors where appropriate, along with
rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic panels for electricity.
Construction is scheduled for completion in August 2024. It will incorporate the final assembly line,
workshop, logistics area and design/engineering offices. At full speed, VoltAero expects to produce
around 150 Cassio family aircraft a year.
"With today's groundbreaking for our final assembly facility, VoltAero is once again delivering on its
promise to bring to market an aircraft with an innovative design for safe, quiet, efficient and
environmentally friendly flights using hybrid electric propulsion," said Jean Botti, VoltAero's CEO and
Chief Technology Officer.
The advantages of the industrial site for VoltAero include direct access to Rochefort Airport's 2,280
metre long x 45 metre wide runway, as well as the availability of road, rail and sea links in the region.