Newsdesk – Military

RAF Order Could Be the Trainer Buy of the Decade:

The RAF’s requirement to replace the present fleet of Jet Provost trainers, defined as Air Staff Target 412, has marketing executives from more than two dozen companies sharpening their pencils in anticipation of a mammoth sale of up to 150 aircraft. However, despite much of the optimism expressed at times by local officials the chances of the AAC Warmira in this contest, the RAF has yet to define specifically what of three options it will finally accept in further defining AST412. The three options involve – a British refurbishment of the present Jet Provost fleet using new engines, an avionics upgrade and airframe strengthening – building under licence a turboprop trainer – building under licence a turbofan trainer Selection of the appropriate option is expected by mid-year and only if option number two is chosen in the first instance will Australia have a chance with the Wamira, which itself will have to be altered from s1deby-side seating to tandem to satisfy

RAF requirements. British Aerospace are also seeking Government funding for their P164 which can be built in either turbofan or turboprop versions while the US-built Fairchild T-46A could well be a favourite if a turbofan aircraft is selected Whatever happens, and with around 18 firms actively bidding for the turboprop section alone, the winner will no doubt have to have an order book ready to offset the value of the contract Anyone for Hawks, 146s or Jaguars?

Tucano for Egypt and Iraq:

Embraer has formalised an agreement with the Egypt-based Arab Organisation for Industrialisation to build the EMB 312 Tucano turboprop trainer. Production will initially run to 120 units with80goingtothe Iraqi Air Force and the remaining 40 for Egypt AOI will be pursuing sales throughout Africa as all Tucanos sold in the region will be supplied directly from the Egyptian factory.

USMC Takes First Harrier II:

The Marine Corps took delivery of their first SAV-SB Harrier in January. In in Marine service the AV-SB will replace five squadrons of McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk aircraft and three squadrons of AV-SA Harriers. The AV-8B offers twice the payload or flying radius of the AV-SA and standard RAF Harrier.

British Aerospace serves as a major subcontractor to McDonnell Douglas for the 336 AV-8Bs the USMC intends to buy. The RAF plans to acquire 60 aircraft, designated Hamer GR Mk 5 with the first entering service during 1986. The Spanish government also plans to acquire 12 AV-8Bs to supplement the AV-SA Matadors currently in service with the Spanish Navy Ferry range for the AV-SB Harrier II is morethan2000nmand Its maximum payload is greater than 9000 lbs carried on seven external stations.

Uk-Australia Design High Tech Laser for US Navy and RAAF:

The Minister for Defence Support, Brian Howe, has welcomed the selection of Fairey Australasia Pty Ltd to participate with Ferranti pie, Scotland, in the design and development of a Laser target designator/ranger for use by the US Navy and RAAF in the F/A-18 aircraft. The Laser to be developed under contract to the US Navy is for fitment to the Forward-Looking Infrared Pod to provide a laser range finding and target designation capability. The RAAF plans to procure a number of pods as part of the procurement of 75F/A-18 aircraft Mr Howe said Fairey engineers from Holden Hill in South Australia would be involved in the design and development of one of the main components for the laser designator. Subject to successful development, Fairey would be able to manufacture components, assemble and test lasers for use in the RAAF pods, as well as participate in production of of components for US Navy requirements. The development tasks proposed for Fairey would establish a capability in the high technology area of electro-optics at a level that does not exist currently in the Australian industry. Fairey Australia also produces muzzle velocity indicator equipment, telemetry and night vision equipment.

Advanced F-18 Under Study by USN:

The US Navy is studying an advanced version of the F-18A Hornet for production from 1987 onwards. The Advanced Hornet would feature a modified wing with an increase in area of 32 sq ft, an increase in internal fuel capacity of 3000 lbs, a buddy tanker capability, an enhanced with a160 increase equivalent to that of the F-15C, automatic Terrain Following Radar, larger HUD and improvedenginesof18,000lbthrust.The Navy is studying advanced versions of the A-6E bomber and the F-14 Tomcat air superiority fighter in an effort to establish service aircraft requirements throughto201O. The Advanced Hornet would also be a dual-seater with a wide range of system displays in the rear cockpit.

Pentagon Sacks Super Phantom Programme:

On the eve of its 25th anniversary, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II looks ‘half-life’ refit that will take it well into the twenty century. Boeing and Pratt & Whitney have teamed to offer a Super Phantom, as the type has been designated, that encompasses the avionics/engine reliability of new-generation fighters with the traditional fighter bomber qualities of the onginalF-4. The program will take existing F-4s and refurbish them using Pratt & , Whitney’sPW112021,0001bclass turbofan in place of the GE J79s., the Westinghouse APG-66 multimode radar from the F·16, the Marconi HUD from the F-16 and also various Sperry CRTs in a simplified and more functional cockpit environment. Boeing will undertake the airframe work which will also include the fitment of a conformal fuel tank beneath the belly which along with the vastly improved SFCs of the PW 1120s will greatly enhance the Super Phantom’s warlord/ radius, Both companies are quoting price of $US7/9 million dollars per aircraft for the upgrade. There are still 3500 Phantoms in service worldwide including more than 2000in current service. West Germany, with 273 F-4s andIsraelwithnearly200 are considered prime candidates for the programme as both nations have expressed desire to maintain their F-4 forces through to the year 2000. Additionally Japan operates 154 of the type along with Turkey with 100, Spain with 44, Greecewith64andtheUKwith185 It is felt that US forces might upgrade upwardsof1000late build F-4E/ J if the programme proceeds. At present the programme has the backing of Pentagon but the USAF would prefer new F-16s in place of refurbished aircraft.

New Helicopters Squadron Formed at Nowra:

A new helicopter squadron, which will be primarily involved with Fleet utility and Army support, has been formed at the Naval Air Station, Nowra.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral D. W Leach, stated that the new squadron, HU816, would initially operate the Wessex 31B helicopter already in service. The new squadron would also operate and train crews for the guided missile frigate helicopters when they were introduced into service in about four years’ time.

Admiral Leach said the Wessex helicopters to be operated by HU816 squadron would be taken from HC723 squadron, which also operated Iroquois and Bell 2068 aircraft Additionally, HC723 would operate theAS350 Squirrel helicopters when they were delivered in mid-1984. The name HU816 comprised the initials HU (helicopter utility) to describe the role, and the squadron number 816 which previously belonged to the front-line Tracker squadron.

Until the new helicopters came into service, the Fleet Air workhorse, the 21-year-old Wessex, would continue its service with the RAN. He said this would provide the Fleet and the Army with reliable support and give aircrew and maintenance personnel, many younger than the aircraft they operated, experience m the naval environment to prepare them for the challenge of operating a newer and more capable aircraft in the future.

Hermes Retires:

The camera that could have been flying the RAN pennant, HMS Hermes, is being officially retired as this issue goes to press. The vastly updated veteran of the Falklands war will remain in strategic reserve until 1985 when HMS Ark Royal, the third and final ship in the invincible Class, becomes fully operational in Royal Navy Hermes will then be either sold to a foreign power or for scrap.

A Ski Jump hornet?

McDonnell Douglas and the US Navy have completed an evaluation of the F-18A Hornet using the British-conceived ski jump ramp as a launch aid. Previous tests have also been undertaken using the A-6 and F-14 aircraft off the ramp. The test programme was run in late 1983 utilising the 12degreerampatthePatuxentRivertest station. Aircraft weight varied between 32,000 lbs and 37,000 lbs (Hornet grosses at 50,000lbs) while takeoff run was reduced to below 1000 ft using the 122 ft long ramp utilising standard Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) fabrication from Army stock. The ramp could be later used to provide a number of launching sites where an airfield was prone to enemy attack or where a runway was already temporarily put out of action.

US Navy May Train Against MiGs:

The, which is currently investigating a replacement for its Northrop F-5E Tiger II Aggressor aircraft, is examining the possibility of using ‘real’ MiG-21and-23aircraft in air combat manoeuvring role. The USN requires 24 aircraft with the current shortlist being shared by the General DynamicsF-16179, the Northrop F-20, Dassault’s Mirage IIING, IAI Kfir, and an innovative concept being developed by Flight International using ex-Egyptian Air Force MiG-21 Fishbed and MiG-23 Flogger aircraft. The idea of using the ‘real thing’ is certainly extended from year to year through the course of a decade. Aircraft selection is expected during 84 with the first of type being delivered during 1985

Netherlands Orders Additional F-16s:

The Royal Netherlands Air Force has ordered an additional 57 F-16 fighters from General Dynamics via Fokker. The RNAF initially ordered a total of 102 F-16s back in 1976 and this latest follow-on order takes the projectedDutchproductiontotalto213aircraft Norway is also looking at extending its F-16 procurement and plans to announce the purchase of an additional 24 aircraft during 1984.

Singapore First Buyer of Siai Marchettis 211 Jet Trainer:

Singapore has signed a contract with Italy’s Siai Marchetti for 10S 211light jet trainers. Eventual number to be procured will be 24 with at least 20 of these being locally assembled in Singapore. This marks the first order of single-engined Pratt & Whitney JT15-powered light jet which is around 50% lighter than a Macchi MB-326H.

Supersonic Fighters for Less Than a 172:

If you are sick of punting the average four-cylinder lighting through the sky at 120 knots then you might spare a thought the government of Turkey which has just purchased 22 Lockheed F-104 Starfighters from the Royal Netherlands Air Force for the grand sum of $US60,000 each. Taiwan made a similar purchase 1982which begs the question, will the RAAF be selling off any of its Mirage IIID dual-seaters when the type is eventually withdrawn from service in 1990? Might be just the thing for the next air race!

Australian Aircraft Fatigue Analysis System to Be Marketed Overseas:

An aircraft Fatigue Data Analysis System (AFDAS) is already in service with the RAAF is to be marketed overseas. The Minister for Defence Support, Mr Brian Howe, has announced the licensing of British Aerospace Australia to manufacture and market the Australian-designed Aircraft Fatigue Data Analysis System. He said AFDAS would be marketed in ASEAN countries, New Zealand, Europe and the USA.

AFDAS, developed jointly by British Aero-Space Australia and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, is based on the electronic-sensing system known technically as a Strain Range Pair Counter which records aircraft fatigue data during flight.

Mr Howe said the device had been designed by government scientists and engineers at the Aeronautical Research Laboratories, Fisher-men’s Bend, Victoria, and had been successfully developed through cooperation between government and industry.

The whole AFDAS package includes an onboard sensing and recording device together with an on-ground data analysis computer. AFDAS will be available in various kit forms varying from a basic kit to a more advanced kit appropriate to complex aircraft systems

First F/A Engine for RAAF:

The first engine for Australia’s F/A-18 fighters has rolled off the assembly line at the General Electric Aircraft Engine plant in Boston.

The FIA is powered by two of these 16,000 lb thrust F404 engines which give the fighter rapid acceleration up to speeds of Mach 1.8.

This is the first of a scheduled 160 engines which will be delivered to the RAAF by General Electric for the 75 McDonnell Douglas-built Hornets on order.

This engine is being used on the 1377 Hornets to be procured by the United States Navy, the 138 for Canada, and 84 ordered by Spain.

In addition, versions of the F404 will also power Northrop’s single-engine F-20 Tiger- shark, and Sweden’s single-engine JAS Gripen 39. Grumman’s X-29A Forward Swept-Wing Demonstrator, and the Grumman A-6 STOL Demonstrator.

US Army Rebuilding Chinook Heli-Copters:

In a fitting tribute to the original structural integrity of the Boeing Vertol CH-47 Chinook airframe, the US Army and Boeing are to rebuild 436 early-build aircraft to CH-47D standards. The refurbishment program will save an estimated one billion dollars when compared with the purchase of new aircraft. Boeing Vertol commenced Chinook deliveries in 1961 and delivered a total of 354A, 108Band 270 C models over twenty years. The rebuild includes more powerful engines, updated avionics and electrics, new composite rotor blades and single-point high-pressure refuelling. The CH-47D can lift a 26,000 lb load on the sling while the first batch of aircraft in service are posting an 88% availability rate.

Tender for RAAF Utility Helicopters:

The Minister for Defence has announced that the Department of Defence has released a Request For Tender seeking new utility helicopters for the RAAF.

The tender, for aircraft to supplement the RAAF’s current fleet of tactical troop transport/helicopters, has been released worldwide. The Minister emphasised that the Government had not yet approved the purchase of the additional helicopters, but seeking tenders now would permit both Navy and Air Force requirements to be examined together to identify the prospects of a common purchase.

 McDonnell Douglas Buys Hughes Helicopters:

St Louis-based McDonnell Douglas has acquired Hughes Helicopters for $ 470 million. Hughes had been scouting for a buyer for some time as their company had two primary problems in a low capital base for future R & D funding, and heavy tax commitments following the death of founder, Howard Hughes, several years ago. Hughes is a prime contender in the potential 6000 unit US Army LHX programme and will be able to utilise the vast pool of R&D experience and capability of MDC to design and fly the best flight helicopter the company can build. Hughes are presently flat out building the first group of 515 AH-64 attack helicopters for the US Army, a programme that is worth more than seven billion dollars. Hughes will continue with the present 500 series of civil and military helicopters and will proceed with the projected development Model 600 civil helicopter in addition to ongoing versions of the Defender anti-armour helicopter.

Kuwait Orders Hawk:

A contract has been signed between British Aerospace and the Government of Kuwait, for the sale of 12 Hawk Mk 64 aircraft.

A derivative of the Hawk T.Mk 1 aircraft, 175 of which are employed by the Royal Air Force in the advanced flying, weapon training and operational air defence roles, the Mk 64 will be used in Kuwait Air Force service for similar purposes though with an operational ground attack capability. The Kuwait order brings total Hawk export sales to 126 with the aircraft selected to fulfil an additional requirement for 309 for the US Navy.

Hawk was chosen by the Royal Air Force as an advanced flying/weapons training aircraft and is also in service in Finland, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, the United Arab Emirates and an undisclosed African country.

Long Legged Nimrod:

An RAF Nimrod MR.2 has flown non-stop from Port Stanley to the UK The flight which took 18 hours 15 minutes required three tanker rendezvous and was virtually over water for the entire journey. Nimrods are now operating on an occasional basis out of RAF Stanley in the Maritime Reconnaissance role in addition to F-4M Phantoms, C-130 Hercules Harriers and Buccaneer strike fighters.

Significant Improvements to F-15 Eagle:

The US Air Force has awarded McDonnell Douglas an additional $US274 4 million for improvements to the F-15 Eagle Air Superiority Fighter. The funds for what is called a multi-stage improvement program now total $US361.1 million. Delivery of the first F-15 with the improvements is scheduled for June 1985.

The programme will upgrade the Eagle’s radar, central computer and programmable armament control system In addition, the Eagle will also receive provisions to permit the use of the advanced medium-range air-to-air (AMRAAM) missile, an anti-satellite system, and the joint tactical information distribution system.

The memory will be increased to one million words (1000 K) and its processing speed could trip to 1.4 million operations per second. This will accommodate future systems and allow changes to be made via programming only with no “hardware’ alterations necessary.

In addition, the use of the latest in electronic technology is expected to increase radar reliability by 25 per cent. Because of new, more compact computer chips, the radar will contain fewer parts and one less piece of equipment than it does now.

The central computer will be upgraded to store four times as much data and process it three times faster than the present computer. Twenty per cent greater reliability for the computer is also expected.

The third major component to be improved will be the aircraft’s programmable armament control system. The current armament control panel will be replaced by a single, multi-purpose, 13cm colour video screen. Linked to a computer, the armament control system will be programmable, allowing for the addition of future weapons – including advanced versions of the AIM-7 and AIM-9 and the new AMRAAMmissiles. The control system video will be the first use of a full colour display in an operational fighter aircraft.