November 11-15, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
While the U.S. defense aircraft were among the headliners at the Dubai Air Show, a full contingent of exhibitors on the commercial aviation side were also prominent at the event.
AIA member companies were numerous among the civil aviation group, providing many of the seemingly dozens of business jets on display. Gulfstream, Cessna, Embraer and others provided examples of their products. Eclipse aviation also showcased its 500 Very Light Jet.
A Boeing 767 was on display as part of the campaign of Silverjet, a United Kingdom-based airline that configured the aircraft to all-business-class seating. It is opening a new service to Dubai.
There was a strong showing of AIA companies on the expanded trade show floor as well, led by Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, GE Aviation, Raytheon and others. The trade show has grown to include 850 exhibitors from 50 countries, making it the third largest in the world. It has become, like large international shows in Paris and near London, an event during which airlines announce billions of dollars worth of orders.
The F/A-18 E/F gives a flight demonstration during the air show. |
The Eclipse Aviation 500 VLJ. |
A Gulfstream G150, center, is flanked by a G450 on the left and a G550 on the right. |
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A Patriot (top) and THAAD missile on display at the Lockheed Martin booth.
Simulators at the Northrop Grumman booth.
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Monday, November 12, 2007
The U.S. Defense Department corral at the Dubai Air Show was one of the most crowded ever, with a wide variety of high-tech aircraft on display.
A total of 10 aircraft were on static display at the show, and two are performing daily flights as part of each day's flying exhibition. A U.S. Navy F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and a U.S. Air Force F-117A Nighthawk took to the air each day.
The number of military aircraft is notable since it is larger than the International Paris Air Show earlier this year and the Farnborough International Airshow last year near London, which are the two largest shows in the world.
AIA President and CEO John Douglass led several tours through the corral during the show, including high-ranking DoD officials representing the United States at the event.
He said the large number of aircraft reflects the obvious importance of strategic partners like Dubai in the volatile Middle East region.
The aircraft at the show varied widely, from the small-but-deadly MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to the giant C-17 Globemaster III cargo transport. The MH-53 Sea Dragon represented rotorcraft and there several types of surveillance craft, including an E-3 B/C Sentry AWACS. The stealth F-117A Nighthawk and sleek B1-B Lancer bomber were crowd favorites.
The crews that brought the planes to the show were a mix of active duty and national guard units, some coming from as far away as South Carolina, Texas and New Mexico.
An overview of the U.S. Defense Department corral. |
John Douglass and Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Bruce Lemkin talk to the crew of the F-117A Nighthawk. |
A MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter, used for search and rescue. |
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The F-117A sits under the sun in the corral.
An MQ-1 Predator UAV rests aside a B1-B Lancer bomber.
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Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Dubai Air Show officially opened Sunday with a ceremony by the emirate's ruler followed by a walking tour through some of the aircraft on display by the U.S. Defense Department.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Marktoum, the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, cut the ribbon to open the show Sunday morning with AIA retiring President and CEO John Douglass representing U.S. industry at the event.
The Sheikh walked through the corral with a large entourage and throng of press, stopping to chat with several U.S. Air Force service members.
The Dubai Air Show is now the third largest in the world, following just behind Paris and Farnborough in England in participation.
Douglass said the U.S. industry and government participation is especially strong at the show reflecting Dubai's strategic location and importance as an ally in the region.
The sheikh, his entourage and press walk past the U.S. Defense Department corral Sunday. |
The sheikh meets crew members from the U.S. Air Force E-3 AWACS surveillance plane on display at the show. |
The sheikh walks past an U.S Navy E-2C Hawkeye aircraft shortly after opening the Dubai Air Show Sunday. |
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Boeing Integrated Defense Systems CEO Jim Albaugh (left) and U.S. Army Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (right) talk to AIA president and CEO John Douglass at the Dubai Air Show Sunday.
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