Global solutions provider Barnbrook Systems is following up global business opportunities after the ‘most important Farnborough International Airshow in a generation’.
The Hampshire-based company welcomed a record number of visitors from the UK and abroad during the world famous event – including politicians, businesses and the military.
Barnbrook – attending for the 16th consecutive time – showcased its latest cutting-edge products and services on its stand with the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC).
They include its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, BlueCube© powered remote sensing and monitoring technology and E:BAG, developed with tech firm Flair, for the suppression of lithium-ion battery fires.
Managing director Andrew Barnett also hosted a reception for the South Central Regional Defence and Security Cluster (SCRDSC), of which he is chair.
Organisers expect to have welcomed more than 100,000 visitors – the most for any show so far – by the end of the show on Friday July 24. Americans were out in force, occupying more than a third of the exhibition floor space.
Andrew said: “It was a record year at an airshow which had a very different feel about it.
“There was a greater focus than ever on defence and especially upon the application of technology for the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare.
“It was also telling that many operators, primes and militaries were seeking improved efficiencies to extend the operational life and effectiveness of their platforms amid budgetary pressures despite increasing geo-political instability.
“We discussed the role of MRO with many visitors to our stand as well as how innovative technology can support predictive maintenance, operational continuity and service delivery.
“Although a record year for both Barnbrook and the airshow itself, this was the most important for a generation for aviation and aerospace as well as defence to face the demands of a changing world.”
Andrew, who is a board member of the FAC, added: “We are now following up on contacts made at the show and business opportunities around the world to support Barnbrook’s strategic growth and support the UK and allied defence infrastructure.”
Barnbrook, which has offices in the US and Europe, welcomed visitors from countries including Germany, the US, France, India and Czechoslovakia as well as politicians including Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin.
More than 120 delegates attended a SCRDSC breakfast reception on the FAC stand where they come together to network, share insights and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and new Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Alex Baker were among the politicians at the show.
Mr Streeting confirmed the government’s £298bn Defence Investment Plan (Dip) will go ahead, including a £15bn increase over four years.
Andrew said: “The Defence Investment Plan is finally out, and with the new government team in place, we are now more hopeful within the defence sector.
“Mr Streeting must be prepared to fight the corner of defence and secure even greater investment, which must make its way down the supply chain through prime contractors to SMEs.
“Currently, spending on defence the end of the decade will be 2.7% of GDP, well short of Nato’s core defence spending target of 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.
“A fairer, simplified and more strategic procurement process would support the supply chain as well as create greater efficiencies to help the government hit its Nato target too.
“There is much for our new Defence Secretary to do.”
Multi-award-winning Barnbrook, with nearly 50 staff, holds both Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) accreditations.
Its MRO solutions and services for components including engine controls and flight actuators for such active fighter aircraft across the world as the Tornado, Jaguar, Hawk and Sea Harrier. It also supplies such systems as temperature monitors and rotary variable differential transformers (RVDT).
It also supplies BlueCube© enabled IIOT refuelling switches for Leonardo helicopters which have transformed the safety and efficiency of inflight refuelling.
SCRDSC brings together industry leaders across Hampshire, Surrey, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex to grow the sector in support of the UK’s evolving defence and security needs.
Visit https://www.barnbrook.co.uk/ and https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/ for more information.