Newsdesk – Military

A principal aim of the new company is to promote the sale of the A20 to the Royal Air Force to meet their Air Staff Target (AST)412 requirement for a turboprop training aircraft.
Shares in the new company will be held jointly by AAC and Westland. A20 aircraft sold as a consequence of this arrangement will be manufactured and assembled in the UK at the Westland factories at Weston-Super-Mare, Cowes and Milton Keynes. It is planned that the aircraft will be fitted with a wide range of UK equipment. The AAC A20 is a tandem two-seat version of the A10 design currently under development by AAC for the Royal Australian Air Force.

This announcement follows on the recent proposal by Sir Basil Blackwell to the Australian aerospace industry offering an $860 million work package involving a 20 per cent local partnership with Westland in the design, development and production of the Westland 30 passenger and troop transport helicopter. The proposal would give the local industry the exclusive rights to make and sell Australian-made Westland 30s in the South East Asian region

Improved Phantom to Commence Flight Demonstration Programme:

Both Israeli Air Force and USAF are to modify an F-4E Phantom II to Super Phantom specifications to analyse relative performance. Both aircraft will be modified by Boeing. Wichita, and will feature conformal fuel tanks, upgraded avionics, possibly a Westinghouse APG-66 radar and Pratt & Whitney PW1120 turbofans in place of the original GEJ79s. The first aircraft is expected to fly later this year while the evaluation will primarily centre on whether or not the $8/9 million retrofit expenditure per aircraft presents value in comparison with the outright purchase of new types such as the F-16.

British Sea Skua Missile Under Investigation for Use Aboard Us Aircraft:

The performance of the British Aerospace Sea Skua anti-ship missile in the Falklands War has aroused intense US interest in the system. The US Navyis hoping to arm their Kaman UH-2F Sea Sprite helicopters with the missile while Beechcraft are investigating using the Sea Skua for their 1900SM(refer 111this Issue) Special Mission aircraft. Use aboard the 1900SM would mark the first time this weapon had been deployed aboard a fixed-wing aircraft.

Boeing cited for Low Productivity:

The US Defence Contract Audit Agency has lodged formal complaints with Boeing’s Seattle- based Seattle aerospace company claiming that the Company is grossly inefficient with its workforce engaged in nonproductive activities 39% of the time. DCA claims that the industry norm is 10% and that Boeing could save more than a million annually by getting an-hour productivity levels back to the 90% regime. According to Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine, Boeing officials feel their engineering teams have evolved past the point of benefiting from traditional time and motion studies and are refusing to cooperate with the DCA team in their investigations.

Switzerland to Modify Its Mirage IIIs With canards:

The Swiss Air Force is to modify its fleet of Mirage III fighters (refer p.15 i March AA) so that they will remain as viable fighters into the early 1990s. A major factor in the upgrade is the addition of Kir-like canards just aft of the intakes, similar to that of the French Mirage ING. Additionally, small nose strakes are being blended into the nose radome extending from the pilot tube and extending back to forward of the cockpit to improve yaw stability and low-speed handling. Switzerland’s Mirages date back to the sixties though their average annual flight utilisation is about half that of RAAF examples of the restricted airspace environment found in Switzerland.

The Apache Goes to Sea?

Hughes Helicopter have submitted a proposal to the US Navy for a marinized version of their VH-64 Apache anti-armour attack helicopter. The Navy version would be tasked with ship defence and could be armed with a large variety of offensive and defensive missiles including Harpoon, Sidewinder, Hellfire, Penguin and 2.75 in rockets. The Navy Apache, Hughes claim, could be most effective in covering amphibious operations with a mix of air-to-ground and air-to-air weaponry in addition to being able to undertake longer-ranging anti-ship patrols using Harpoon or Penguin missiles. At present the proposal is only in the initial evaluation stages.

Automatic Fighter Pilot Being Developed by MDC:

McDonnell Aircraft Company division of McDonnell Douglas Corporation is developing an on-board system for fighter planes that plans air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.

Called the Tactical Flight Management (TFM) system, it calculates the most desirable course and speed to avoid air defences and take advantage of terrain for low-altitude flying. The system can automatically fly the aircraft according to its plan. The TFM system also can provide gun-pointing and snap-shoot capability during a dogfight.

According to Dr William J. Murphy, McDonnell Aircraft’s TFM programme manager, the system is the first of its kind for use in combat Less sophisticated flight management systems are used by some commercial aircraft, Murphy said. TFM system research, now in its third year. is a $US1 million programme sponsored by the US Air Force Its last phase of concept development was completed in August when air force pilots tested the system in McDonnell Aircraft’s flight simulators.

The TFM system links a fighter plane’s mission computer to the aircraft’s flight control system and engines. A pilot need only to enter relevant data, such as target position, time of arrival at target and location of anti-aircraft threats. The TFM system then computes a flight plan and guides the plane automatically to its target Alternatively, the pilot can fly the aircraft according to the flight plan.

‘One of the purposes of the system is to reduce the pilot’s workload,’ Murphy said. “Another is to provide the best mission plan for pilot survivability.’

The system can be used on the F/A-18 Hornet, the AV-8B Harrier II and the F-15 Eagle.

Shorts Combine With Embraer to Launch the Shorts Tucano Trainer:

Embraer of Brazil have selected Shorts of Northern Ireland as their UK teammate in Embraer’s bid to win AST412, the RAF Jet Provost primary trainer project. If successful, Shorts will build a modified version of the T.27 Tucano, something which would provide an additional 600 jobs in Belfast while Shorts and Embraer would also proceed to look towards possible future partnerships in the airliner field. Other types on the AST412 shortlist are the Pilatus/British Aerospace PC-9, the NDN Turbo Firecracker and our own AAC Wamira A-20 which is teamed with Westland.

Cacwinsikorsky Trainer Contract:

CAC have signed an agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft to develop specifications and a proposal to design helicopter support trainers for the US Navy Maintenance and support trainers are used to familiarise flight and ground personnel with a systems. They are composed of components mounted on structures similar to an actual airframe and are used extensively in maintenance training courses. The agreement is expected to lead to a $10 million contract for the trainers which will be used to support the US Navy’s new MH-53E mine-sweeping helicopter, 35 of which are slated for delivery from 1986 onwards.

BAe Proposing Single Seat Hawk:

British Aerospace are proposing a single-seat version of their Hawk trainer. The single-seat aircraft would be designated a Series 200 Hawk and would have Head Up Display, an an inertial platform, weapon aiming computer, air data sensor, full-colour multipurpose displays and a radar system Rolls Royce are working on an uprated version of the non-afterburning Adour turbofan while additional internal fuel cells will give the aircraft a greater radius of action. BAe will be displaying a size mock-up at this year’s Farnborough air show while if sufficient customer interest is displayed a project launch should take place late this year for a first flight in mid-1986. BAe envisage a large market for would be a highly reliable and easy-to-maintain light attack jet in the Skyhawk, AMX and Hunter mode.

Update on New Soviet Fighters:

As an update to our feature this issue on the new Soviet combat aircraft programmes by John W. R. Taylor, editor of Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft, we present the following information The MiG-29 Fulcrum, which is roughly equivalent to theF-16 and F-18 in size and performance is scheduled to attain initial operational capability later this year. The twin-engined single-seater has a large pulse Doppler lookdown/shootdown radar which gives it a true all-weather day and night intercept capability Although primarily intended as a counter air fighter it is likely to have a dual-role capability similar to its Western counterparts.

The second new-generation Soviet fighter is the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker which is comparable to the F-15andF-14aircraftin West Powered by two 30,000 lb class unidentified turbojets, this large aircraft also features a powerful lookdown/ shootdown radar and is thought to be a complement to Russia’s new AWACS aircraft, the IL-76 Mainstay.

Both the Fulcrum and the Flanker are armed with AA-10 air-to-air radar-guided missiles and both are fully capable of operating in an autonomous manner without the customary, and highly vulnerable ground control intercept(GCI) link that has to date hamstrung Soviet fighter
tactics

Multi-Year Procurement Saves Pentagon Money:

By changing, where possible, from year-to-year budgeting to multi-year financing, the Pentagon is beginning to save a considerable amount on its new equipment programmes. The first such programme was the the revitalised C-2A Greyhound COD aircraft built by Grumman for the US Navy Grumman originally estimated a programme saving of 8% on the run of 39 aircraft over the course of five years but in reality they have to date achieved cost savings approaching 11% with an eventual target of 13.3%. This alone represents a saving of more than one hundred million Pentagon dollars which placed in perspective is sufficient to buy another twoE-2C Hawkeyes for the fleet free of charge. Other systems in the multiyear funding programme are the GE F404 engine. A-6E Intruder, E-2C Hawkeye, F-16A, F-15C. KC-10 Extender and the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter Savings realised on these and other smaller programmes could well exceed several billion dollars over the next ten years.

Brazil and Sikorsky to Develop Light Helicopter:

Sikorsky and Embraer have teamed to produce a light helicopter in the Bell 206/Hughes 500 class for civil and military use. Embraer had earlier signed an agreement with Sikorsky to design and develop composite helicopter parts and this latest development is seen as an outgrowth of the original contract Embraer hope to be able to produce the new light helo within the next five years and will also proceed with local production of all future helicopters for the Brazilian defence forces Brazil operates a large variety of helicopters including Bell 206, UH-1, Bell 47, Sikorsky S-61, Puma, Hughes OH-6, Westland Lynx and Wasp Sikorsky recently signed a similar agreement, to produce current model helicopters with Casa of Spain, while Westland have established an offshore helicopter industry in Belgium similar to that suggested for Australia if the Lynx 3 should win the RAN FFG order. Meanwhile, Embraer have decided to cease production of the Xingu twin-engined corporate turboprop A total of 110 Xingus were built, half of which were employed as military navigational trainers by both Brazil and France.

Enforcers Set to Begin Operational Demonstration:

Both Piper Enforcer proto-types have arrived at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif for the US Air Force’s operational demonstration of the two lightweight, close-air support aircraft
The operational demonstration, which is Phase III of the development programme, will Involve some 65 sorties flown over the next several months. Tests will include day and night weapons accuracy testing, low-visibility target acquisition, survivability, and surging (missions flown continually).

Phase II of the programme was recently completed successfully at Eglin AFB Fla. That portion of testing examined the Enforcers” weapons delivery capabilities with the planes flying 58 sorties
Piper was awarded an Air Force contract in September 1981 for the development of two Enforcer prototypes Based on the heritage of the North American P-51 Mustang, the Enforcers, with an average cruise speed of 250 knots, deliver weapons at speeds between 280 and 325 knots The Enforcers have a maximum design speed of 350 knots and an altitude capability of 25,000 feet
In addition to its 2445 shp Avco Lycoming T-55-L-9 propjet engine, the Enforcer incorporates a number of changes from its P-51 ancestry including a 14,000 lb gross weight, a 19-inch fuselage extension and a larger empennage Armament including 2.75 inch rockets, and cluster and Rockeye bombs with the capability to change configurations as mission requirements dictate.

New Management and Advisory Bodies formed:

The Department of Defence Support has established new defence industry management and advisory bodies based on the recommendations of the Defence Review (Utz) Committee
The Minister for Defence Support, Mr Brian Howe, has announced the formation of the The Defence Aerospace Board of Management is responsible for the management and direction of the Department’s aerospace activities The Board would also advise on the overall operation of the defence aerospace industry Mr Howe said the new Defence Aerospace Board of Management would:
• assist in developing greater self-reliance in the design, manufacture and supply of defence equipment, materials and associated services,
• improve the defence aerospace industry’s efficiency and competitiveness through the adoption of new techniques, technologies and product lines,
• provide direction and guidance on the preparation and implementation of the Five Year Plan, increase overseas sales of Australian manufactured defence products including the use of offset agreements and cooperative arrangements between Australia and other countries.

Mr Howe said the Board would also advise him and the Secretary to the Department on the overall operation of both public and private sectors of Australia’s defence aerospace industry.

 Sikorsky Awards Contracts of $22 Million to Australian Industry:

Sikorsky recently announced three more contracts to Australian industry, bringing the total value of contracts awarded recently under industrial participation programmes to over $22 million.

Two of the new agreements are with Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and one with Australian National Industries The value of these three is $10.2 million.

The two agreements with CAC include an order for 250 sets of helicopter intermediate and tail rotor transmissions valued at $3.5 million These transmission units operate the heli. copter’s tail rotor In addition, Sikorsky will provide technical and training assistance to CAC to support their start-up requirements.

The second CAC agreement is for various magnesium, steel and aluminium helicopter castings valued at $2 2 million.

The agreement with ANI is for titanium and steel forgings and has a potential value of $4.5 million More than 40 different forgings are to be produced under this agreement for the Seahawk and Black Hawk helicopters.

Rolls Royce and Turbomeca Join Forces for New Projects:

England’s Rolls Royce and France’s Turbomeca have teamed up to develop a new 2100 shp helicopter turboshaft engine designated RTM 322 Rolls and Turbomeca have in the past jointly developed the successful Adour turbofan which powers the Sepecat Jaguar and the BAe Hawk military trainer. The projected RTM 322 will be of around 2100 spend will be designed for initial use aboard the EH101 helicopter TheRTM322 has actually been under research for some time and first run-up is planned for late this year well in time for the first deliveries to EH Industries in 1988 The partnership has also agreed to pursue further developments of this engine design that would be applicable to fixed wing-commuter and light military aircraft.

Australians in the Battle of Britain You Help?

Our historical specialist, Dennis Newton, is writing a fully detailed history on the involvement of Australian airmen in the Battle of Britain and would like to make contact with any personnel, or the relatives of any personnel, who served in RAF Fighter Command, 1st July through to 31st October 1940.

Could any ex-RAAF personnel (pilots, ground crew, controllers etc.) who have information on this topic or a story to tell, please write to Dennis Newton at 6 Summit Street, Mt Riverview 2774? All replies will be acknowledged and any submitted material, logs, photographs etc. will be treated with the utmost care and returned promptly.