Flight International will provide full editorial coverage throughout the build-up and duration of the show, starting with a comprehensive guide to the show in the Paris Show Special issue (11-17 June). First News will be published in the 18-24 June issue, followed by a full Show Report (25 June-1 July) which will be available at the show on Friday 20 June. A final Review will be published in the 2-8 July issue. For further information contact Forbes Mutch, Deputy Editor, tel:+44 (181) 652 3852 or fax: +44 (181) 652 3840, or Ian Burrows, Display Advertisement Director, tel: +44 (181) 652 3319 or fax: +44 (181) 652 8981.
FLIGHT DAILY NEWSThere is no doubt that the Paris air show, like other major international trade exhibitions, has not escaped the impact of the increasing number of regional air shows which have prised away some exhibitors. When the 42nd Salon International de l'Aeronautique et de l'Espace is officially opened on 14 June by French President Jacques Chirac, however, the show's organisers are expecting to have attracted an increased number of exhibitors, up from 1,600 in 1995 to about 1,750. More than 300,000 visitors are expected over the eight days of the show.
MILITARY AIRCRAFT
Sukhoi will be hoping to dominate the show, as it did 1996's Farnborough, with its thrust-vectoring Su-37, and advanced development of the Su-27 Flanker. The fighter will lead a strong Sukhoi presence which promises to include the Su-32FN two-seat strike derivative of the Su-27 and the Su-30 two-seat long-range fighter version recently sold to India. It remains to be seen whether Russian rival MAPO MiG will deliver on its Farnborough promise to bring a thrust-vectoring MiG-29 to Paris.
European manufacturers will be hoping to rival the Russian flying display. Eurofighter has been expanding the envelope of the EF2000 to allow a Paris display routine , for the first time, will give the public a glimpse of the aircraft's true capabilities. Dassault, meanwhile, will be flying both the Rafale and the Mirage 2000-5, while Saab will display the JAS 39 Gripen. It is now unlikely that a memorandum of understanding launching production of the EF2000 will be signed at Paris, which will focus attention on the programme's continuing political problems.
US manufacturers will be supported by a large US Department of Defense presence, which will include Lockheed Martin F-16s and the McDonnell Douglas F-15E and F-18, as well as the Northrop Grumman B-2. The upgraded McDonnell Douglas AH-64DLongbow Apache is scheduled to appear, and will compete for attention with the European Tiger and Russian MAPO MiG Kamov Ka-50 and Mil Mi-28N combat helicopters.
A McDonnell Douglas C-17 is expected at Paris, as the company mounts a campaign to sell the transport aircraft to European air forces, as well as commercial customers. Lockheed Martin will display its C-130J for the first time and is promising news on its New Strategic Aircraft programme to develop a replacement for the Lockheed C-141 and Boeing KC-135, possibly with European involvement. European industry, meanwhile, will be looking for progress on the Future Large Aircraft. Antonov hopes to display its propfan-powered An-70 transport for the first time at Paris.
The appearance of a Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft will boost the company's efforts to win NATO's Airborne Ground Surveillance programme, which is to be decided later this year.
MAPO MiG and Yakovlev will display their competing entrants for the Russian air force's trainer requirements, the MiG-AT and Yak-130, respectively. MAPO MiG is pushing to win a large Indian order, while Yakovlev has teamed with Italy's Aermacchi, which already offers the S.211 basic and MB339FD advanced trainers - also on show at Paris. Raytheon will display its Beech MII trainer for the US Joint Primary Aircraft Training System.
COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT
Airbus Industrie is expected to launch the A340-600 commercial airliner at Paris. The long-range aircraft, which will be capable of carrying up to 380 passengers, is expected to enter service in 2000. The show may also provide a launch platform for the very-long-range A340-500. With its superior payload/range characteristics, the -500 may replace the smaller A340-8000 in the Airbus production line.
Not to be outdone, Boeing may launch its very-long-range derivatives of the 777-200, the -200X and the 777-300X. The latter aircraft will accommodate around 368 passengers and is aimed at the 747 "Classic" replacement market.
Aero International (Regional), which combines the regional-aircraft activities of Aerospatiale, Alenia and British Aerospace, is expected to launch its 70-seat regional twin-jet, the AIRJET 70. The consortium has signed a preliminary agreement for Korean Commercial Aircraft Development to take a stake of up to 40% in the $1.1 billion project. Embraer will display its EMB-145 50-seat regional jet and hopes to launch a 34-seat derivative, the EMB-135 and possibly a 70-seater, the EMB-170.
Bombardier will display its Global Express long-range business jet for the first time outside of North America, alongside its lighter Learjet 45. Both are in flight-test. Gulfstream will bring its recently certificated GV long-range business jet, while Cessna will display its entire Citation line, including the new Excel, which is still in flight test. On its home ground, Dassault will parade its upgraded Falcon 50EX and 900EX business trijets. Raytheon will display a range of corporate aircraft, including the Beechjet 400A and the Hawker 800XP.
The show organiser hopes to display about 200 aircraft, including several debut models. Antonov's An-70, Agusta's A119 Koala single-turbine light helicopter, Bombardier's Global Express and Learjet 45, Cessna's Bravo and Excel and relaunched 172 Skyhawk, 182 Skylane and 206 Stationair piston-singles, Embraer's EMB-145, Ilyushin's Il-76MF medium-range transporter and Il-96T commercial freighter and PZL Swidnik's SW-4 light helicopter are among those scheduled to be at Paris for the first time.
Eurocopter may also exhibit its EC120 light single-turbine helicopter, being developed in conjunction with China and Singapore Aerospace, and now undergoing flight testing. NH Industries will display its NH 90 military helicopter, also now in flight test.
INDUSTRY AWARDS
The fourth Aerospace Industry Awards ceremony, sponsored by Flight International, will be held at the Le Meridien Montparnasse Hotel on the evening of Monday 16 June. The awards are designed to recognise achievements across the aerospace and aviation. The winners will be announced on the night and a report on the ceremony, including a list of winners, will be published in both Flight International and Flight Daily News. Tickets can be obtained from Folio Consultants, Grapes House, High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9QA, UK. Tel: +44 (1372) 466996 or fax: +44 (1372) 469951.
Source: Flight International
