Newsdesk – Military

Defence Minister Gordon Scholes admitted that while the competing Westland offer was around $200 million cheaper, the Seahawk will provide additional capability in the long term. Sikorsky will now finalise their contractual arrangements with the DoD which will formalise their offers to have the Seahawk locally assembled and test flown in addition to contracts which will provide a significant technology boost for Australian industry.

Sikorsky has already awarded contracts to Australian industry valued at more than $22 million. Hawker de Havilland received an X-Wing helicopter sections contract for $2 million CAC is to assist in developing specifications and construction of helicopter maintenance trainers. CAC has also received a contract for 250 sets of helicopter intermediate and tail rotor transmissions valued at $2. 2 million. Australian National Industries (ANI) has also been awarded a $4. 5 million contract for specialised titanium and steel forgings Overall, Sikorsky have estimated that at least $150 million will filter back through local industry via the first stage of the FFG helo order.

The battle for the FFG order was always hard fought and dates back to the early seventies when formal announcements of the requirement were made. Initial studies on the project though date back as far as the late sixties while the first FFG frigate became operational in 1981. They will now have to wait till 1988 to embark the first operational Seahawk. The use of a helicopter such as the Seahawk is paramount to the operational capability of vessels of the FFG class. To be used in the SAR, ASW and anti-ship missile targeting roles, the Seahawk will provide the ‘eyes’ that the FFGs presently lack through not having an airborne data link platform.

McDonnell Douglas to Bear Cost of Strengthening F-18A Tail Units:

McDonnell Douglas will bear the full cost of the modifications to the F-18 Hornet which it has developed to correct a fatigue-related problem in the aircraft’s tail area. Cracks have been detected in the mountings which attach the vertical tail to the fuselage of the aircraft. The problem was caused by higher than expected usage of the F-18 in the high angle-of-attack region where loads on the tail have proved to be particularly severe. In their early days both the F-15 and the F-14 suffered similar problems owing to their ability to be flown in combat manoeuvres not formerly possible with previous generation aircraft.

The F-18 has demonstrated remarkable abilities for flying at extremely high angles of attack. During the flight testing portion of the development programme, an F-18 flew at 90 degrees angle of attack-perpendicular to the air stream while maintaining forward motion and control. Its ability to fly at these high angles of attack is unique among modem fighters and allows enhanced target acquisition in air combat manoeuvring.

MDC have developed a modification kit that involves adding 10 cm long steel doublers to two of the mountings and replacing a non-structural fairing with a stronger structural unit. With total cost of the retrofit spread over nearly 200 aircraft the unit cost of around $220,000 is very small in comparison to total aircraft value.

The Hornet has now exceeded 100,000 flight hours with an excellent safety and reliability factor. During 1983, MDC said that the US Navy fleet of F-18s achieved 2. 2. hr mean time between failures while the Grumman F-14A Tomcat and the A-6 Intruder had a 0 6 hr rate and the LTV A-7 a 0. 7 hr rate. Basically the Hornet was four to five times more reliable than its fleet compatriots. At the same time the maintenance man-hours were 28. 2 for the F-18 against 50fortheA-6, 60 for the F-14,51 for the F-4J and 46 for the A-7. As far as Australia is concerned this will allow current Mirage squadrons to employ less maintenance people providing a considerable long term saving for the defence budget.

 Westland Offer Teaming With Raf On future raaf helicopter industrial Programme:

Westland have fought back after their loss to Sikorsky on the Navy FFG helo order. In Australia during late October, a Westland team announced that if the Westland 30-400 was selected by the RAF as their Puma/ Wessex replacement then Australian industry would share in around 20% of the engineering and development work. The Westland 30-400 is also on offer to the RAAF to meet their Iroquois replacement requirement and obviously West- land see the sense in maximising economies of scale if the same aircraft should be chosen for both services. Additionally, Westland representatives also would give Australia full production and sales rights for the Wetland 30 in both civil and military versions for all of South East Asia, a market which they estimate to be worth in excess of 140 aircraft over the next ten years .

While obviously preferring to forget the Navy FFG loss, the company lost no time in verifying that as the Navy Lynx 3 programme cost was only $170 million and the S-70B programme cost is $368 million the money saved in buying the Lynx 3 could have been used to acquire and equip a merchant vessel in order to get the RAN ASW Sea Kings back to sea.

One Sea King Back to Sea:

At least one of Australia’s ASW Sea Kings has made it back to sea. HMAS Stalwart departed Australia in August for an extensive SE Asian cruise with a single Sea King 910 from HS817 squadron, Nowra, aboard. Purpose of the exercise was to gain experience of operating such a large helo from Stalwart and to test the feasibility of operating the type from such vessels in the future.

RAN Helo Battle Over but RAAF Battle Set to Begin:

Announcement of the selection of the Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk as the future RAN FFG helicopter and Request For Tender (RFT) for stage one of the RAAF Iroquois and RAN Wessex replacement programme has met with an excited response from the international helicopter industry.

A large number of firms are responding for what will ultimately be a billion-dollar order though only four look like making the final short list. The requirement is initially for 12/15 helicopters basically in the Iroquois class with follow-on buys of 36 or more aircraft. Favourite is the Sikorsky Blackhawk which the tender appears to be written around and which the RAAF has pronounced a desire to operate as strong as its naval cousins were in their intention of getting the Seahawk. Ranked against the Blackhawk is Westland’s W30-400, Aerospatiale’s Super Puma and an interesting late run from the Bell/Boeing team with their JVX Tilt Rotor. We will be analysing each of these aircraft in detail in future editions of Australian Aviation commencing with the Super Puma in this edition. Department of Defence optimistically hope for a firm purchase decision during 1985/86 with the winning helo becoming operational by late 1987.

Our tip: don’t hold your breath!

What They Cost:

The US Congress recently endorsed the US 1984/85 defence budget of $US293 billion which recognised an increase of 6. 9% in real terms over the previous year’s budget. Programme costs, which usually cover training appropriations, spares and required support equipment illustrate the high per unit cost of today’s modern weapon systems. The once lightweight F-16 now costs $23 million (all US dollars) per unit, the F-18 is $33 million, the F-15 $55 million, the F-14A $54 million and the AH-64 attack helicopter is $10. 5 million per unit. Large programme expenditures are also not solely reserved for new aircraft systems, the KC-135 re-engining programme this year will see $800 million invested to re-engine and update just 43 aircraft to KC-135R standards using the CFM56 engine.

 Trackers for Sale:

The Australian government has appointed Ford and Vlahos as agents to sell the 18 Grumman Tracker aircraft that were formerly operated by the RAN. Ford and Vlahos will be responsible for the marketing, sale and removal of the aircraft and spares from the Naval Air Station at Nowra, NSW. One aircraft will be retained for the RAN Museum.

More Tristars for RAF:

The RAF has purchased an additional two Pan American L1011-500 Tristars for $A81 million and taken an option on a third aircraft. Cost of the two aircraft also includes their extensive refurbishment and modification to tanker standards by Marshalls of Cambridge, UK. The RAF already operate 6-500 Tristars which were purchased from British Airways during 1983 in addition to a large fleet of VC-10, Victor and ad hoc Hercules tankers.

Argentina Investigating Building Large Aircraft Carrier:

Argentina is intending to eventually replace the 40-year-old 25 de Mayo with a new 30,000-tonne carrier. The Argentinian-built twin-catapult carrier would be equipped with additional A-4 Skyhawks, S-2 Tracker ASW aircraft and Dassault Super Etendards. The new carrier would be able to steam at a higher speed than the 25 de Mayo which under some circumstances cannot launch fully loaded aircraft due to insufficient wind over deck. The service is also investigating acquiring additional Lockheed Electra aircraft for the ASW and ECM roles.

 India Expands Its Soviet Fighter Inventory:

India has ordered between 40 and 50 MiG-29 Fulcrum multi-role fighter aircraft from the USSR. This further expands India’s Soviet-based fighter force and is a blow to the French who were bidding fiercely for a follow-on order for their Mirage 2000. India has a broad based fighter force which now comprises such diverse aircraft as the MiG-21, MiG-23, MIG-25, Sepecat Jaguar, HAL Ajeet, Gnat F. 1, Hawker Hunter, BAC Canberra and Mirage 2000. The Fulcrums are expected to enter service as early as 1985 while the Canberras, Gnats and Hunters will be progressively replaced over the coming years.

 Lockheed Pressing Hard for P-3 Aew&C Sales:

Lockheed executives claim that they could deliver the first operational P-3 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control) in less than two and a half years after a decision to purchase. Aerodynamic development is continuing using an ex-RAAF P-3B and this initial stage of the programme will centre on refining the aerodynamic interface between the rotodome, its support pylons and the basic Orion airframe. Lockheed anticipates that this will be completed by mid-85 when operational testing of the General Electric APS-138 radar will commence.

Lockheed claim that the P-3 will offer much more in terms of mission endurance and flexibility than the smaller Grumman E-2C while costing significantly less than a Boeing E-3 AWACS. Additionally, if fitted with the proposed Allison T-56-426 the aircraft will have an even greater endurance; this engine is also proposed for the E-2C and the C-130 Hercules. Primary candidates for a P-3 AEW&C buy are Australia, US Navy, Japan and Canada. It is thought that a buy of four such aircraft with spares and support would cost in the region of $200 million.

Big Potential Helicopter Market:

Sikorsky president Bill Paul stated at Farn-Borough that the potential helicopter market over the next ten years stood at some 21,600 aircraft. Sikorsky anticipate that this huge market will be worth in the region of SUS44 billion. Some three-quarters of the market will be military while half the total will be destined for North America.

Defence 1984/85 Budget Details:

Defence received $5820 million in the 1984/85 Federal Budget, a gross increase of 8% on last year’s budget and an increase of 3. 3% in real terms allowing for inflation over the past twelve months. Defence Minister Gordon Scholes stated that ‘The thrust of Defence expenditure will be towards investment areas while providing limited growth for operating expenditures. ” This reflects the ever increasing commitment to funding capital equipment items which has risen from 26. 6% of the budget in 83/84 to 28. 3% in 84/85. More than 80% of the Defence Budget will be spent in Australia while the big ticket item was an allowance of $918 million for the F-18 and P-3C projects. Upgrading facilities for the F-18 also saw $40 set aside for RAAF Williamtown and $176 million for work associated with the development of Tindal in the Northern Territory.

The Department of Defence Support budget provided a total outlay of $356 million, including expenditure of $397 million and revenue of $41 million. Additionally, a further $242 million will be paid to DDS in return for goods and services supplied to the Defence Forces and various commercial customers. Aerospace was awarded $110 million which includes $40. 8 million for the development of industrial and support facilities associated with the F-18 programme, $16 million of which will be recovered from MacAir and $12 million on the A-10 Wamira trainer.

Major Upgrades Approved for F-14 and A-6 Aircraft:

In what is a very big contract for Grumman and ultimately General Electric, the US Navy has approved a multi billion dollar programme to upgrade their F-14 Tomcat and A-6 Intruder units through what in naval terms could aptly be described as a half-life refit.

The F-14 will be re-engined with 28,000 lb General Electric F110-GE-400 engines similar to those used in the B-1 bomber. This provides a thrust increase in the region of 40% while full digital authority allows trimming of the engines electronically, saving millions of dollars per year in wasted fuel and engine hours compared with the Pratt & Whitney TF30s that formerly powered the Tomcat. The F-14’s radar will also be upgraded and will be the most powerful fighter radar ever built. Particular emphasis will be placed on improving reliability, maintainability and jam resistance. The new Hughes radar will employ a monopulse receiver, frequency agility and other improvements. The entire avionics system in general will be upgraded while the Super Tomcat’s range will be extended by the improved fuel efficiency of its new engines. All such refurbished aircraft will be designated F-14D as will new build aircraft of the same specification due to roll off the Grumman Bethpage line in 1987.

The venerable A-6 Intruder will get a revised weapons system in every sense of the word. A new radar, yet to be chosen, HUD for the pilot and a new engine, probably non-afterburning GE F4048 as used on the F-18 Hornet will be employed which will retain the A-6’s ability to perform all-weather deep penetration strike missions right into the next century.

 Lockheed to Produce Cargo/Pass- Enger P-3A Aircraft for US Navy:

Lockheed has been awarded initial funding of SUS11. 4 million the US Navy in a proposed five-year programme to modify as many as 30 P-3Á Orion aircraft into a utility configuration designated CP-3A (cargo/passenger) to handle cargo, passengers or a combination of both. Initial funding covers design engineering for the modification and avionics update of the aircraft, and the manufacture of the prototype conversion kit.

In a cost-saving move, the US Navy is converting some of its older P-3A ASW aircraft to other uses, rather than retiring them and acquiring new multi-purpose aircraft.

China Builds New Fighter:

The People’s Republic of China has unveiled its latest fighter, designated the Shenyang F-8. Basically a stretched and revised version of the ubiquitous MiG-21 the F-8 is powered by two Chinese-built Tumansky R-11 turbojets of 13,500 lb wet thrust which would give the F-8 true Mach 2 capability. Details of radar and sensor packages are not known though it is believed that the F-8 is fairly austere by Western standards and essentially little removed from the nineteen fifties technology of the MiG-19 and 21, from which the PRC has copied numerous fighters in recent decades.

 Us Navy to Lease Iai Kfir Fighters:

The USN is to lease 12 Israel Aircraft Industry Kfir C1 fighters for use in the ACM role. The firs will augment the Top Gun’s inventory of A-4 and F-5E aircraft. Choice of the Kfir ends a battle that saw the GE J79-powered F-16 and authentic MiG-21 Fishbeds via Vought Corporation pitted against the Israeli jet. IAI will provide full support and training on the Kfirs which will commence entering service early in 1985.

 New Engine Test Cell Opens:

CAC initiated operation of their new engine test cell late in September. The multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art facility has been built primarily to support the F-18 programme, CAC being in charge of the GE F404 assembly and test operations. Ownership of the new facility will also allow CAC to bid more competitively abroad in gaining offshore engine overhaul contracts than was previously possible with the obsolete equipment available. First of the F-18s flew early in November and four will join the 2 OCU at Williamtown next April for the commencement of official RAAF operational service. By the end of 1985 the RAAF will have seven TF-18 dual-seat trainers in service while the first of the single-seaters will be delivered during 1966.

 General Electric Lose Sole Supplier Status on F404 Engine:

In a surprise move, the US Navy has decided to allow Pratt & Whitney rights to build GE F404 engines in concert with GE. Following ongoing technical problems with Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines which power the F-14A the USN has announced that it does not now wish to be in a position of having to deal only with one engine supplier for a period of 30 years or more General Electric has agreed to go along with the proposal as adequate provisions have been agreed to which protect GE’s obvious technical rights with the engine. Engines for the RAAF F-18s will not be affected by the arrangement as our engines are covered under a contract between CAC and GE.

The move by the US Navy follows a similar effort by USAF in which Pratt & Whitney and General Electric will bid competitively to power F-16 and F-15 aircraft from annual production lots USAF feel that this encourages competition, improves after-sales service and reduces the opportunity for a fighter engine monopoly to develop. It was this latter point that forced the Navy to make its decision on split procurement as GE now power the bulk of USN/USMC helicopters and will power future F-14 Tomcat fighters and re-engined A-6 attack aircraft.

STOL Eagle Research Programme Receives Go-Ahead:

McDonnell Douglas through a $US117 million grant will develop a thrust vectoring version of the F-15 Eagle Designed to enable STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) operations from extra short or damaged runways, the programme will also carry technology that can be retrofitted to F-16 and F-18 aircraft. The STOL F-15 will be fitted with exhaust vectoring nozzles which will be capable of 20 degrees pitch up or pitch down movement in addition to a full digital fly-by-wire control system and canard foreplanes. It is expected that the aircraft’s combat manoeuvring potential will be greatly expanded while the USAF target is for the modified F-15 to be able to operate from a wet 1500 ft runway at night in a 30 kt crosswind at 20°C at max payload. Apart from the obvious retrofit possibilities the accrued data achieved through the five year programme will contribute greatly to the final design of USAF’s Advanced Tactical Fighter programme, an aircraft type that will eventually replace the F-15 through the latter nineteen nineties.

US Helicopter Industry gearing up for Lxh battle:

With the US Army bringing forward the in-service date for the LHX programme, US helicopter manufacturers are accelerating their development efforts to ensure victory in what will be the biggest single helicopter order in history. LHX denotes Light Helicopter Experimental and covers a basically common helicopter to perform the scout! medevac/gunship roles for US Army Aviation from 1992 onwards. Aircraft to be replaced in the programme will be the Bell OH-58 Kiowa, Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, Bell Cobra and UH-1 Iroquois. As the LHX will have a requirement for around 7000 helicopters the order is one that every rotary wing manufacturer will be fighting hard to win. In fact so big is the programme that the Pentagon has suggested that some measure of licence production may be required between the various manufacturers in order not to create a monopoly helicopter manufacturer. With more than $30 billion at stake in 1984 dollars it could well be that everyone wins.