More than 100 U.S. aerospace and defense companies are exhibiting at the Singapore Airshow, occupying more than 30 percent of the indoor exhibit space and making it the largest national representation outside that of the home nation. The majority of the companies—64 in total—form part of the USA Partnership Pavilion, organized by Kallman Worldwide. Eleven of the Pavilion’s exhibitors have come to exhibit in Singapore for the first time. With 21 U.S. states represented in total, the Pavilion also incorporates standalone display areas for Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
As well as a strong presence in the exhibition halls, U.S.-built aircraft dominate the static display park, including the traditionally strong support for the show from the Department of Defense. Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus tanker and P-8A Poseidon maritime patroller are on show, courtesy of the Air Force and Navy, respectively, while visitors show considerable interest in the two Lockheed Martin F-35As that have deployed from the U.S. Air Force’s 356th Fighter Squadron.
As an illustration of the strong alliance between the U.S. and Singapore, the Pavilion will announce the winners of the Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Singapore Award during the week. Four students and one educator will form the second “mission team” to be selected from Singapore and will receive scholarships to attend a week’s astronaut training at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Funded by international airshow communities, the nation-to-nation scheme aims to inspire young people through STEM education.