15 Jul 12. Ensuring U.S. Defense Capability in Times of Diverse Threats and Lean Budgets. The South Carolina International Defense Exhibition and Conference (SCIDEX) is an international Defense and Homeland Security event featuring a sequential one-day conference and three-day exhibition. SCIDEX will be both multi-service and multi-national in focus, with a secondary theme being increased technological collaboration between the U.S. military and its foreign allies and coalition partners. SCIDEX is being hosted at The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina, and is supported by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Defense Management Group (DMG). With the recent global economic downturn and corresponding decrease in government spending for defense and security, attention has rapidly shifted away from costly programs to more efficient and cost-effective solutions. SCIDEX will provide a unique venue for companies and government organizations within South Carolina, from across the United States and overseas, to share information and exchange ideas on how best to meet these challenges and to showcase their R&D, manufacturing, technology, and service offerings to both a U.S. based and an international audience comprised of senior political, military, and private sector leaders and decision makers.
13 Jul 12. US$72bn of confirmed orders and commitments by airlines, leasing companies and manufacturers. At the end of a busy trade week, orders and commitments announced at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow have been confirmed at US$72 covering a total of 758 aircraft. The figures represent a 53% increase on the 2010 show and close to the 2008 figure when sales peaked at US$88bn. To add further weight to the show’s success, 20% of exhibitors have already rebooked for the 2014 show. Airshow organisers, Farnborough International Ltd, can also confirm that over the five days of the show, the event attracted just over 107,000 trade visitors and over 1500 exhibitors with representation right across the supply chain. Over 70 military delegations from 46 countries attended with a further 13 delegations from the civil sector. This event saw good engagement from decision-makers with the Prime Minister opening the show, a further 6 Cabinet members making keynote speeches, as well as senior ministers visiting from the UK and overseas. Over 140 aircraft took part in the static and flying displays at the Farnborough Aerodrome in Hampshire including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which flew on the first three days of the show – a Boeing and FIA first – and the Airbus A380 in attendance for the full seven days. Flying display highlights included the Bell Boeing V22 Osprey, a Saab Gripen Fighter and the Korean T50 jet trainer.
08 Jul 12. One of the best in recent years: that was the verdict after a star-studded line-up lived up to expectations at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Despite the inclement weather, over 130,000 visitors attended during the show period, and their resilience was rewarded with some truly spectacular flying, with the Black Eagles aerobatic display team from South Korea getting everyone talking with a breath-taking debut performance. Organisers were delighted to provide a classic Air Tattoo line-up, made possible by: debut visits from the air arms of Japan, Colombia and South Korea; five other aerobatic display teams, including crowd favourites The Red Arrows, plus the first Air Tattoo appearance of Al Fursan (The Knights from the United Arab Emirates); and iconic aircraft such as the USAF B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, the ever-popular Avro Vulcan, and the Bell-Boeing Osprey MV-22. A total of 39 air arms from 25 nations were represented at the event, bringing in 268 aircraft and 10 hot-air balloons. And 43 senior military representatives attended the Air Chiefs’ Conference which preceded the airshow. Considering the cou