KEY MARKET: File photo shows a crowd checking out aircraft at the previous installment of Lima. Malaysia remains a key industry player and market for Boeing. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet is set to return to the skies of Malaysia for its fourth appearance at the biennial Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) Exhibition.
“The show runs March 26 to 30 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre,” Boeing said in a statement from St Louis yesterday.
“Boeing’s goals for Lima are to highlight our capabilities and to strengthen the already solid relationships we have developed with Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region,” said Jim Armington, vice president, East Asia & Pacific Business Development, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Malaysia is a key industry player and market for Boeing.
“Boeing sees many opportunities to expand our regional capabilities in partnership with local industry.
“Through our wide engineering and manufacturing expertise, Boeing is uniquely positioned to create new initiatives that will advance aerospace in Malaysia.”
Two Super Hornets will be part of a formidable line up at the airshow of Boeing defense products and services designed to meet the needs of customers in the region.
Boeing platforms scheduled to be on display include Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornets, a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airlifter, a Royal Australian Air Force Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Wedgetail, a Republic of Singapore Air Force AH-64 Apache helicopter, and full-scale models of the unmanned ScanEagle and Integrator from Boeing subsidiary Insitu Pacific.
An F/A-18E/F Super Hornet flight simulator will be the centerpiece of Boeing’s exhibit in Hall A, Booth A255.
The system, with its 180-degree projection screen, was capable of demonstrating simulated aerial combat and air-to-ground targeting, navigation, and mission systems operation, Boeing said.
Operators can also practice landing on and taking off from runways or an aircraft carrier.
The Boeing exhibit will also feature the AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopter and the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition and Harpoon weapon systems.
It is adjacent to the Insitu Pacific exhibit at Booth A260. Boeing maintains a corporate office in Kuala Lumpur and a Boeing Commercial Airplanes Field Service office at Subang Airport.
Its relationship with Malaysia dates back to 1947, with the acquisition of three DC-3s by Malayan Airways Limited.
Current national carrier Malaysia Airlines was one of Boeing’s first 777 customers in Southeast Asia.
In 1993, Malaysia ordered eight F/A-18D Hornets to strengthen the military capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and today the country is evaluating the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for its multi-role combat aircraft requirements.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specialising in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.
Headquartered in St.Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a US$33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide. — Bernama