Farnborough, UK: AALTO HAPS Ltd. (“AALTO” or “the Firm”), an Airbus subsidiary which designs, manufactures and operates the Zephyr Excessive Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), has appointed Hughes Boulnois as CEO. Hughes succeeds Samer Halawi within the function with quick impact.
After conducting an intensive assessment of AALTO’s market, constructions and technique, Airbus Defence and House has determined to replace the Firm’s focus to align with the sturdy demand for HAPS options throughout the federal government sector, alongside the priorities of its strategic buyers included in HAPS JAPAN Company.
Hughes joined Airbus in 2004 as an engineer and has since held a number of govt roles, main programme, buyer and enterprise administration. He brings with him detailed information and experience of HAPS know-how, having served most just lately as Vice President for Zephyr at Airbus. He was beforehand answerable for buyer programme administration for the A400M, main its enterprise progress and export help. He additionally served for greater than 5 years as Normal Supervisor for Airbus’ SpaceDataHighway, the world’s first operational optical communication system.
The appointment of Hughes follows a interval of great progress for Zephyr’s industrial and technical roadmap. This consists of the profitable testing in Could 2024 of a Zephyr check plane outfitted with newly developed superior flight controls in Yuma Proving Floor, Arizona. Demonstration of Zephyr’s superior technical maturity was adopted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s resolution to challenge a Design Organisation Approval to the Firm in July 2024, an important regulatory milestone in the direction of Kind Certification.
AALTO’s ongoing precedence stays delivering its buyer flights from its AALTOPORT in Kenya, the place Zephyr’s first everlasting launch and touchdown web site is positioned. A number of further buyer missions are deliberate for the approaching 12 months.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Chair of the AALTO Board of Administrators and Head of Air Energy at Airbus Defence and House, mentioned: “After a decade of stewardship by Airbus and two years since years we created AALTO, Zephyr has established itself because the main platform HAPS globally. Our focus is now on accelerating the commercial roadmap for Zephyr, whereas delivering for our current clients and capitalising on targeted market alternatives.
“With the appointment of Hughes, AALTO has gained a confirmed chief in aerospace and defence, with a track-record of supply for patrons and main programme growth. Together with his experience throughout a large portfolio at Airbus, alongside his distinctive understanding of the HAPS business. I’m assured he’ll lead AALTO by way of its subsequent part of progress.”
Hughes Boulnois, CEO of AALTO, commented: “As AALTO re-aligns its technique and strategy, the enterprise is coming into a crucial interval the place it will likely be targeted on buyer supply, governmental markets and operational excellence. Though there are challenges forward, I’m assured that AALTO will attain its ambitions in markets together with authorities and business connectivity. I look ahead to working with our companions, buyers, clients and colleagues at AALTO, as we realise the potential of Zephyr.”
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