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Scenes from the Farnborough Airshow

Kim Khan
WATCH LIVE

The Buzz Is Back

The Farnborough International Airshow in the UK runs from July 19-25 and alternates each year with Paris as the premier European trade and display air show. This year the show kicked off with a higher-than-expected amount of new plane and leasing orders in the private sector. But the warnings were clear from the world's military, that cuts in defense spending would make it harder for firms to win new contracts. Farnborough has a history of flight testing and aircraft building going back to the s
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

The Farnborough International Airshow in the UK runs from July 19-25 and alternates each year with Paris as the premier European trade and display air show.

This year the show kicked off with a higher-than-expected amount of new plane and leasing orders in the private sector. But the warnings were clear from the world's military, that cuts in defense spending would make it harder for firms to win new contracts.

Farnborough has a history of flight testing and aircraft building going back to the start of the 20th century, when it was home to the HM Balloon Factory. The Concorde debuted in the UK at the air show in 1970.

By Kim Khan, CNBC Europe
Posted 21 July 2010

Army Exhibits the Apache

The UK Army Air Corp demonstrated the capabilities and let visitors take a cockpit tour of its Apache attack helicopter. The helicopters were first operational for use in the UK in 2005. A pilot can sit in the higher back seat of the cockpit, with a gunner or co-pilot in front, using the latest helmet-mounted heads up displays to find targets.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

The UK Army Air Corp demonstrated the capabilities and let visitors take a cockpit tour of its Apache attack helicopter. The helicopters were first operational for use in the UK in 2005. A pilot can sit in the higher back seat of the cockpit, with a gunner or co-pilot in front, using the latest helmet-mounted heads-up displays to find targets.

Nobody Does It Better?

Reminiscent of the start of the title sequence in the James Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me," the Farnborough parachuting display included a finale featuring a huge Union Jack flag.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Reminiscent of the start of the title sequence in the James Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me," the Farnborough parachuting display included a finale featuring a huge Union Jack flag.

Feel Like a Pilot

Those not wanting to spend all their time waiting in line to tour the latest passenger jets could get a close-up view of some of the smaller planes and military aircraft in the static displays. Many allowed visitors to get hands on with the cockpit -- but not too hands on, as using the joystick triggers alarms on some planes and helicopters.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Those not wanting to spend all their time waiting in line to tour the latest passenger jets could get a close-up view of some of the smaller planes and military aircraft in the static displays. Many allowed visitors to get hands on with the cockpit -- but not too hands on, as using the joystick triggers alarms on some planes and helicopters.

Show Focuses on Drones

Finmeccanica, Boeing and others put the spotlight on drone aircraft at Farnborough.Makers of unmanned military planes said cuts in defense spending and Western troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would not hit demand, and they stood to benefit from fewer boots being on the ground in the future, Reuters reported.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Finmeccanica, Boeing and others put the spotlight on drone aircraft at Farnborough.

Makers of unmanned military planes said cuts in defense spending and Western troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would not hit demand, and they stood to benefit from fewer boots being on the ground in the future, Reuters reported.

Dreamliner Debut

Boeing took the spotlight at the start of the show, with the , a next-generation aircraft built using composite materials to make it lighter. Lines to view the 787 were at one time up to 40 minutes long. But it was not all celebratory, as Boeing announced just before the show that the aircraft due to issues with instrument configuration.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Boeing took the spotlight at the start of the show, with the European touchdown of its new 787 Dreamliner, a next-generation aircraft built using composite materials to make it lighter. Lines to view the 787 were at one time up to 40 minutes long. But it was not all celebratory, as Boeing announced just before the show that the aircraft could face further delays due to issues with instrument configuration.

No Pilot, No Windows

Those waiting for a close-up view of the Dreamliner got a great view of Northrop Grumman's unmanned surveillance aircraft, the Global Hawk, in the static display next to the 787. The plane has logged more than 10,000 combat flight hours for the US Air Force.It is also the only unmanned aerial system to meet FAA and military air worthiness standards and can fly in US air space, the company said.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Those waiting for a close-up view of the Dreamliner got a great view of Northrop Grumman's unmanned surveillance aircraft, the Global Hawk, in the static display next to the 787. The plane has logged more than 10,000 combat flight hours for the US Air Force.

It is also the only unmanned aerial system to meet FAA and military air worthiness standards and can fly in US air space, the company said.

World's Favorite Fighter?

The F-16 is one of the world's most popular military aircraft, with the fighter jet sold to 24 countries, according to Lockheed-Martin. The US Air Force's F-16C pictured here was on display in the Department of Defense exhibition corral, where attendees had a chance to live out some fighter-pilot fantasies by getting a tour of the plane and the cockpit.The success of the F-16 contrasts with concerns about Lockheed's joint strike fighter program that has seen costs per plane balloon from early es
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

The F-16 is one of the world's most popular military aircraft, with the fighter jet sold to 24 countries, according to Lockheed-Martin. The US Air Force's F-16C pictured here was on display in the Department of Defense exhibition corral, where attendees had a chance to live out some fighter-pilot fantasies by getting a tour of the plane and the cockpit.

The success of the F-16 contrasts with concerns about Lockheed's joint strike fighter program that has seen costs per plane balloon from early estimates and will receive more scrutiny from the Pentagon's efficiency program.

The Need for Speed

The F-15E Strike Eagle is projected to be in service for the US Air Force until at least 2035. The plane — which can fly at twice the speed of sound —has two afterburning turbofan engines that generate about 29,000 pounds of thrust, according to the company. The F15 was initially a McDonnell Douglas plane. McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in 1997.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

The F-15E Strike Eagle is projected to be in service for the US Air Force until at least 2035. The plane — which can fly at twice the speed of sound —has two afterburning turbofan engines that generate about 29,000 pounds of thrust, according to the company.

The F15 was initially a McDonnell Douglas plane. McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in 1997.

A400M Vies for Spotlight

EADS' Airbus competed for top billing at Farnborough with its military A400M airlifter. While the project has faced delays, similar to the Dreamliner, it drew a lot of eyeballs with its flying display, that featured sharp banks and steep climbs for such a large aircraft.The A400M and will challenge Boeing's C-17 and Lockheed's C-130 Hercules, Reuters reported.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

EADS' Airbus competed for top billing at Farnborough with its military A400M airlifter. While the project has faced delays, similar to the Dreamliner, it drew a lot of eyeballs with its flying display, that featured sharp banks and steep climbs for such a large aircraft.

The A400M is currently in the middle of flight testing and will challenge Boeing's C-17 and Lockheed's C-130 Hercules, Reuters reported.

On the Scent of a Record

Farnborough wasn't just for the skies. The Bloodhound SSC is looking to shatter the land-speed record with a top speed of 1,050 miles per hour, faster than most aircraft. The engine will be a jet and rocket hybrid. The car pictured is the 1:1 scale replica show car of the actual Bloodhound.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Farnborough wasn't just for the skies. The Bloodhound SSC is looking to shatter the land-speed record with a top speed of 1,050 miles per hour, faster than most aircraft. The engine will be a jet and rocket hybrid. The car pictured is the 1:1 scale replica show car of the actual Bloodhound.

Size in the Skies

Airbus garnered top positioning for the A380 at Farnborough, close to the main entrance gate. The world's largest commercial carrier also participated in the flying display. The company said it received seven orders for the jumbo jet in the first half of the year, while Dubai-based Emirates, which has 90 of the planes, said it has plans to add in-flight wi-fi to all its fleet of A380s.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Airbus garnered top positioning for the A380 at Farnborough, close to the main entrance gate. The world's largest commercial carrier also participated in the flying display. The company said it received seven orders for the jumbo jet in the first half of the year, while Dubai-based Emirates, which has 90 of the planes, said it has plans to add in-flight wi-fi to all its fleet of A380s.

The Death-Defying Blades

The Blades aerobatic team caused quite a few gasps on the ground at Farnborough with their precision flying and rapid dives. The group flies blue Extra 300 LPs and appear at events across Britain.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

The Blades aerobatic team caused quite a few gasps on the ground at Farnborough with their precision flying and rapid dives. The group flies blue Extra 300 LPs and appear at events across Britain.

Search and Rescue or Attack

The MH-60R helicopter is used for anti-submarine and anti-surface operations by the US Navy over the ocean or in zones close to shore. It can also be used for search and rescue or medical evacuation. It became operational in 2005.Earlier this month, the military informed Congress that Australia may want to buy 24 of the helicopters.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

The MH-60R helicopter is used for anti-submarine and anti-surface operations by the US Navy over the ocean or in zones close to shore. It can also be used for search and rescue or medical evacuation. It became operational in 2005. Earlier this month, the military informed Congress that Australia may want to buy 24 of the helicopters.

Cargo Bay Door Open

The US Department of Defense displayed the cargo hauling capability of the Boeing C-17. Boeing announced at Farnborough that India could buy 10 to 12 more of the transport planes. The C-17 was also the Pentagon's alternate press conference venue in case of inclement weather.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

The US Department of Defense displayed the cargo hauling capability of the Boeing C-17. Boeing announced at Farnborough that India could buy 10 to 12 more of the transport planes. The C-17 was also the Pentagon's alternate press conference venue in case of inclement weather.

The Affordable Option

China and Pakistan, countries known for exporting inexpensive goods to the US, are looking to supply more affordable fighters to countries across the globe. The JF-17 Thunder would cost about $15 million per plane, according to the Wall Street Journal, putting them in the reach of developing nations with modest military budgets.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

China and Pakistan, countries known for exporting inexpensive goods to the US, are looking to supply more affordable fighters to countries across the globe. The JF-17 Thunder would cost about $15 million per plane, according to the Wall Street Journal, putting them in the reach of developing nations with modest military budgets.

Invitation Only, for Now

Government officials, company officers and the press are some of the early attendees. Later, Farnborough opens up its doors to the public. Some 150,000 visitors have attended past shows.
Photo by Sharon Lorimer

Government officials, company officers and the press are some of the early attendees. Later, Farnborough opens up its doors to the public. Some 150,000 visitors have attended past shows.