China Southern Airlines has selected Panasonic’s eX2 AVOD inflight entertainment system for its five Airbus A380s, the first of which is due for delivery next year.
The contract restores Panasonic’s lead over rival Thales in A380 selections, following the recent British Airways decision in favour of the latter. Lake Forest, California-based Panasonic has also been contracted to supply eX2 for China Southern’s Boeing 787s.
Other announced A380 positions for eX2 are Emirates, Qantas and Singapore Airlines. Besides British Airways, Air France and Etihad have opted for Thales’ TopSeries for their A380s.
Overall, eX2 selections have been announced by a total of 23 airlines: Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Austral, Air New Zealand, All Nippon, Asiana, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Continental, Delta, El Al, Emirates, Finnair, Jet Airways, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, TAM, TAP Air Portugal and United.
The system is installed variously in the Airbus A330-200/300, A340-300/500 and A380, and Boeing 747-400, 767-300 and 777-200/200LR/300/300ER. It is also destined for the Boeing 787-8 and -9. Panasonic says that eX2 installations now exceed a hundred and that more than 900 examples have been ordered by carriers worldwide.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
Although the Pentagon claims that current systems can detect this type of threat, it has confirmed that measures will be taken in order to maintain the US's edge over its adversaries.
The UK and France aim to deliver a new cruise missile in 2030 as part of the MBDA-led Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) project.
China's Multi-Domain Precision Warfare project is aiming to disrupt US networks, and could outpace the Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative. A retired US Army general explains what the Pentagon is doing about it.
Although AI provides several operational benefits in the defence arena, it can also put armed forces in risky situations.
Connect with us on socials
