Military

The first consignment of five AS350Bs will arrive late in April and a second of four helicopters will arrive early in May. They will be transported by RAAF 8707 in a freighter configuration.

The first consignment will comprise four RAAF and one RAN aircraft and the second consignment one RAAF and three RAN aircraft. Current planning is for two more RAN and four RAAF helicopters to be sea-freighted to Australia between April and June and for the remaining nine RAAF helicopters to be transported by RAAF 8707 between July and December.

The new aircraft will be reassembled after transportation by No 5 Squadron personnel who have trained at the Aerospatiale and Turbomeca factories in France.

The RAN aircraft will then be transferred to NAS Nowra Twelve of the RAAF aircraft will replace the UH-1B in the training role at No 5 Squadron and the remaining six (the last to arrive) will replace the UH-1B in the SAR role at Pearce, Williamtown and Darwin.

The six RAN aircraft will replace the Kiowa in the light utility role and the RAN also plans to embark the aircraft on up to four FFGs

Additional Sea Kings Ordered for British Services:

The UK MOD has ordered an additional nine Westland Sea King helicopters to bring the total ordered since early 1983 to 28 aircraft. The latest order is for a mixed batch of RN ASW Sea Kings and Army Commando models. More than 120 Sea Kings are in UK military service while total world orders now exceed 280 units operating in the services of eight nations.

Russians in hiding?

Our apologies for the non-appearance of our advertised feature on the new Soviet combat aircraft by John W. R. Taylor, editor of Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft. We were originally expecting the article around mid-April only what happened was that the US Department of Defence surprise-released their latest annual assessment of Soviet military power right as John was finalising his copy. As there were several pertinent items of new data available from the Pentagon analysis he wisely thought it best to rewrite the feature based on the updated information. Only trouble was that it missed our final copy deadline despite considerable effort to include the article in this issue. The missing Russians will appear in our September edition bigger and better than ever!

204th King Air in Uniform:

Beech has been awarded a $153 million US Army contract to deliver six Beechcraft RC-120 King Air twin-engine aircraft. The Beechcraft C-12D is the latest in the series of C-12 utility aircraft, versions of the Beechcraft Super King Air, which Beech has been delivering to the Army since 1974. Deliveries of Army C-12s now total 108 stationed at 44 sites throughout the United States and the world. All four defence forces operate Beechcraft C-128, with deliveries to the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines totalling 204 in the Unites States and 30 foreign nations.

USAF opts for GE Engines:

In a major victory for General Electric, USAF has decided to equip all 1985-build F-168 with GE F110 engines in place of the usual Pratt & Whitney F100 units. The GEF110 is a large turbofan in the 29,000 lb thrust class and presently powers the Rockwell B-18 in addition to being mooted for the F-16XL, advanced versions of the F-15 and the USN F-14D Super Tomcat. Through 1985 Pratt & Whitney will continue to supply their F100 engine for the F-15 Eagle though as the engine contracts are now renewable annually it is anybody’s guess as to what powerplants will power the F-16 and F15 in years to come. On the surface this appears to be introducing a logistics and management nightmare though USAF are quick to point out that both engines are in the logistics system and aircraft will operate as wings rather than on a mixed basis, vastly reducing the likelihood of spares and engineering support problems normally encountered with such a policy. The policy will also serve to keep both engine manufacturers fully alert to their customers’ requirements. something that USAF feel hasn’t always been the case in recent years.

Plans for Massive Defence Exhibition in Sydney Strengthen:

Plans to hold a large-scale defence equipment exhibition in Sydney’s RAS Showground during May 1986 are firming following recent discussions between Thomson Exhibitions, the organisers, and the respective government departments associated with defence and industry in Australia. The planned exhibition will also operate helicopter shuttle services to surrounding military establishments such as Nowra, Williamtown, Holsworthy and Richmond where actual field demonstrations will take place. At time of going to press it was confirmed that virtually every Australian defence manufacturer would be involved and the interest from abroad was growing daily. This exhibition is an important landmark in the development of our local industry and we will keep you updated as to the progress status of this venture in future issues of Australian Aviation.

Shorts Win Their Biggest Order This Century:

Shorts have won their biggest order in the long history of the firm with the recent signing of a contract with the USAF to supply and manage their European Distribution System. The contract includes the firm sale of 18 Shorts Sherpa freighters to be delivered through the next two years with an option on a further 48 aircraft to be delivered through to 1989. The deal will well and truly launch the Sherpa as a cost-efficient specialist freighter and will gross Shorts $US660 million over the contract period.

This is the first British built aircraft that USAF have purchased since the end of World War II and will provide an additional 600 jobs to augment the 6000 workforce at Shorts Belfast facilities. The Sherpafleet will supply around 20 USAF bases throughout Europe and will operate on a hub and spoke system not dissimilar to that employed by Federal Express in the USA.

Sikorsky Reports Banner Year

United Technologies’ Sikorsky Aircraft recorded a banner year in 1983, with record sales of helicopters and related components. Sikorsky produced 191 aircraft for military and commercial customers worldwide, 10 times the amount in 1976.

Included in the sales figures are 126 UH-60A Blackhawks to the US Army, 20 CH-53E Super Stallions to the US Navy and Marines, and nine SH-60B Seahawks to the Navy. Sikorsky also sold 36 S-768, including 13 to the Republic of the Philippines. These included the H-76 military/utility variant, which is being actively marketed to nations worldwide.

Australian Trainer Aircraft Makes UK Short List:

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence has announced that the Australian A20 Wamirais one of four aircraft short listed by the Royal Air Force for their possible future basic trainer requirement.

Only four aircraft were short-listed from an initial total of almost twenty registrations of interest. The other three finalists are the Turbo-Firecracker from Britain, the Pilatus PC. 9 from Switzerland, and the Embraer Tucano from Brazil.

The UK Ministry of Defence is expected in the future to announce the next steps in its evaluation, which could eventually lead to an order for 155 aircraft for the successful manufacturer, worth upwards of $A300 million.

The A20 Wamira is a tandem seating version of the A10 Wamira side-by-side seating basic trainer currently being developed by the Australian Aircraft Consortium for the Royal Australian Air Force. The first RAAF Wamira prototype is due for roll-out at the end of 1984.

The conversion to tandem seating configuration is achieved by replacing the existing existing with one virtually identical to that of the Hawk jet trainer, currently used by the Royal Air Force for its advanced flying training.

What They Cost:

The US Department of Defence 1985 fiscal bids put a new light on that old joke about the Pentagon having just enough money in 2044 to buy one aircraft. The figures highlight the ever-growing cost structure associated with modem high-technology weapon systems and the perennial erosion of year-to-year buying power through inflation. The flyaway cost of the major programmes are of interest though. The GDF-16A/B is slated at $US25 million per unit, the F-18A at $32 million, the F-15A/B/C/D at $43 million, the KC-10 Extender at $80 million, the F-14 at $41 million, the E-2C Hawkeye at $57 million and the P-3C at $52 million. Of interest to Australia is the cost of the USN SH-608 Seahawk at $21 million and the US Army UH-60 Blackhawk at $6. 4 million. Australia’s RAN FFG bid aircraft are said to lie halfway between the two in price. A HARM anti-radar missile costs $374,000, a USAF Harpoon costs only $470,000 as against $923,000 for the US Navy version. A GD Standard SAM costs $511,000 while a Phoenix AAM costs just over one million dollars apiece. The Sparrow AAM, to be fitted to our F-18 Hornets costs $206,000 while the buy of the year is the ubiquitous AIM-9L Sidewinder at a mere $68,000 around.

Study Contracts for Over the Horizon Radar:

Two Australian companies have been awarded study contracts for the conversion of the Jindalee experimental Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) into an operational system.

The companies are Amalgamated Wireless (A/Asia) Ltd and Computer Sciences of Australia Pty Ltd, both of Sydney, NSW. They are relocating personnel in Adelaide for the study contracts. The $400,000 study contracts were the first phase of a staged Jindalee conversion programme expected to cost some $28 million (April 1983 prices). The study contracts cover system design, transmitter, antennae, and timing. system design, software and data processing.

Jindalee has been developed by scientists of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation in the Electronics Research Laboratory, at Salisbury, SA, and is located near Alice Springs. The scientists have worked closely on some aspects of the radar with United States defence scientists and the Stanford Research Institute in the US. About $37 million has been spent on the development of Jindalee, including contracts valued at more than $10 million to Australian industry.

Jindalee had produced encouraging results, demonstrating an ability to detect and track the approach of aircraft and ships over a large sector of ocean off Australia. The conversion of Jindalee into an operational facility was planned to begin in the mid-1980s, following extensive trials

RAF Want Additional Tristar Tankers:

The RAF is planning to acquire an additional six Lockheed Tristar L1011-500s to bring its inventory of type up to twelve aircraft. The RAF recently purchased the bulk of Pan Am’s L1011 spares holding and is currently negotiating with that carrier for the purchase of additional -500s. RAF Tristars are now becoming operational and will give the RAF strike force a much-needed lift in tanker/ transport capability similar to that now experienced with the USAF with their operation of the KC-10 Extender.

US Air Force Choose F-15 as New Dual Rolefighter:

USAF has announced that the F-15E Eagle become the service’s new dual-role fighter.

McDonnell Douglas will integrate in production modifications to the F-15 to provide it with the additional air-to-ground capabilities necessary for it to become the dual-role fighter. The US Air Force plans to procure 392 of the two-seat F-158 incorporating advanced avionics and weapons carrying provisions, flight control system improvements, and minor structural changes to accommodate increased operating weights.

The F-15 dual role fighter will augment the F-111 in performing long range high payload missions at night and in adverse weather. In its dual role the F-15 will be capable of round-the-clock air-to-ground operations at greater ranges with increased weapons loads while maintaining its superior air-to-air capabilities. Integration of advanced avionics, controls and displays for the dual role F-15 will enable it to penetrate enemy defences at low altitudes, detect and destroy both fixed and moving targets day or night and in adverse weather with a variety of air-to-surface munitions.

The dual role fighter decision culminated in comprehensive flight evaluation and analyses of the Air Force’s two front line fighters, the F-15 and F-16. USAF officials stated that, “While the F-15 demonstrated clearly superior dual role mission capabilities the modified F-16 with its cranked arrow wing demonstrated high potential for follow on development. ” The US Air Force will further evaluate the F-16XL to include continued flight testing along with other promising technologies for future applications as a single seat advanced version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Production of the F-15E is scheduled to begin in 1986 with delivery of the first dual-role Eagle expected in 1988. The F-15E will be able to carry up to 11,113 kg of ordnance, a payload comparable to that of the F-111 fighter bomber. A comprehensive update of the F-15E will feature in our September issue.

MDC backlog up 50%:

McDonnell Douglas earned $US67. 5 million on sales of $US2032. 2 million in the first three months of 1984. In last year’s first quarter, net earnings were $US59. 9 million on sales of $US2074. 9 million.

Firm backlog on March 31, 1984 was SUS14,506. 3 million, 50 per cent higher than the SUS9665. 9 million total of a year earlier Hughes Helicopters accounted for $US1060. 4 million of the 1984 firm backlog. This backlog excludes government orders not yet funded to the Corporation, orders being negotiated as continuations to authorised programmes, and commercial orders subject to contingencies.

Total backlog, which includes these additional amounts but excludes options and aircraft being built for short-term lease was approximately $US22,600. 8 million on March 31, 1984, compared with approximately $US17,862. 1 million a year earlier. McDonnell Douglas employment on March 31 was 79,294 including 5927 Hughes Helicopters’ employees, compared with 73,618 at the end of 1983’s first quarter.

First Hornets Go to Sea:

US Navy fighter squadron VFA 125 and Marine Corps Squadron VMFA 314 will be the first MDC F-18 units to go to sea operationally. Both squadrons will embark aboard the USS Constellation this July in place of F-4 and A-7 aircraft. Meanwhile, Australia’s first knocked-down F-18 is scheduled to arrive in Australia during the second week of June while the first flight of an Australian-assembled Hornet will take place in mid-November from the GAF facility at Avalon, Victoria

Royal Navy Selects Harpoon Missiles:

The Royal Navy has selected the McDonnell Douglas Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile for use on new types of frigates that are under construction. Missiles have been ordered for four type-22 frigates and eight type-23frigates The Harpoon is already in service with the Royal Navy on submarines and in the Royal Air Force on Nimrod aircraft

Harrier Uses Fibre Optics:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation is building the first combat jets equipped with fibre optics in place of electrical wires. The fibre optics are used in the radio network of the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, the US Marine Corps Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing combat jet.

‘Fibre optics carry enormous amounts of information at high speeds on tiny pulses of light. ” said Gus Weinstock, an electronics section Chief at the McDonnell Aircraft Division of McDonnell Douglas “They look like strands of clear glass thread, and they’re as fine as human hair “Fibre optics are ideal in aircraft because they do the job in significantly less space and reduced weight than electrical wires,” Wein- stock said.

The AV-8B fibre optics are almost invisible, yet they can transmit an encyclopaedia-set worth of information, about 40 million words, in 16 seconds. Fibre optics also are immune to electrical interferences from outside sources such as lightning and ground-based and airborne radar transmitters. Other electronics aboard the Harrier II are not affected by fibre optic transmissions

Enforcers Leave for Eglin Air Force Base:

With Phase I testing complete. the first two Enforcer prototypes and their support teams left Piper’s facilities in Lakeland, Florida, for Eglin Air Force Base.

“All objectives were met during Phase I testing,” explained John McCollom, Piper’s Vice President, Special Projects, who added that the aircraft have reached their design speeds of 330 knots with and 350 knots without their weapons systems. While at Eglin Air Force Base, the Enforcer’s Phase Il testing will include weapons clearance, weapons delivery, radar cross-section and infrared signature evaluations When Phase II testing is finished, in July 1984, the Enforcers will head to Edwards Air Force Base for Phase III, which will be an operational demonstration of the aircraft

US Navy Promote Reconnaissance Version Off-18 Hornet:

The US Navy has awarded McDonnell Douglas a $2 million contract to develop the hardware for a reconnaissance version of the F-18 Hornet MDC will modify an otherwise standard F-18 with the required recce cameras and sensors being accommodated in the space presently used by the 20 mm Vulcan cannon. The US Naval Air Development Centre is also designing a recce pallet that will be used in the test programme which will run from June 1984 through early next year.

 Boeing 707 Flight Simulator to Return Home:

A Boeing 707 flight simulator is returning to the Qantas Jet Base, Sydney, after a five-year spell with Aer Lingus in Dublin.

The RAAF has awarded Qantas the contract to install and maintain the simulator, to be used to train flight crews for the 707s of No 33 Squadron, based at Richmond. The RAAF carried out a worldwide survey of all available 707 simulators and selected the former Qantas machine as the best on the market. The simulator is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of this year.