Newsdesk – Military Aviation

A final decision to proceed with the project is expected by year end and would also see at least five of the Tigers modified to RF-SE standards as dedicated recce aircraft

Additional Us Defence Cuts Proposed:

In the face of widespread criticism and against the advice of his Defence Secretary US President George Bush proposed in January to cut next year’s defence budget by about 1% from the original projected $US306bn.

Now Mr Bush is proposing a trebling of that reduction, bringing the cut to at least $US10bn off the original figure. Defence Secretary Richard Cheney is vehemently opposed to the cuts which are a result of the USA’s changing relationship with the Soviet Union. Cheney claims the cuts will result in the USA being undermanned, undertrained and unready.

The proposed cuts are supported not only by the opposition Democrats but also many of Bush’s own Republicans. What effect they will have on various military aviation programs if implemented – particularly the B-2 – remains to be seen.

Budgeted Defence Increases Axed:

The Federal Government’s February economic statement has sunk any hope of Defence achieving the annual increases in expenditure that were originally recommended in the 1987 White Paper.

Almost from the moment the Government-backed White Paper had been tabled, the Treasury had been planning cuts that would make the objectives of the Paper impossible to achieve in real terms. The 1989/90 budget had been cut back only with the provision that these short term cuts would be reinstated during the following two years. These however have now also been axed, resulting in a cut of $78. 8m for 1990/91 and a further $80m cut from each of the following two years.

 New Eagles:

McDonnell Douglas is looking at new versions of its F-15 Eagle, one of which may see the end of the latest American fighter project for both the USAF and USN.

The Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) project is, along with the B-2 bomber, C-17 heavy transport and A-12 naval advanced tactical aircraft, currently subject to a review to evaluate alternatives. One such alternative for the ATF is the F-15XX as proposed by McDonnell Douglas. Four ATF prototypes (two by each entrant) are being built for evaluation and selection of the winning design. The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23A entry should have flown by now but has been delayed by engine problems while the Lock- heed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22A is scheduled to fly in June.

The F-15XX would involve substantial wing and avionics updates compared to the current F-15C and would incorporate ‘low observable’ qualities. Wing area would be increased by some 10% and Integrated Communication, Navigation and Identification Avionics (ICNIA) plus an Integrated Electronic Warfare System (INEWS) incorporated. Powerplants would either be improved versions of the current Pratt & Whitney F100s or the engines now being developed for the ATF-GE F1208 or P&W F1198.

McDonnell Douglas is also proposing a single seat export version of the current F-15E two seat dual role fighter. Dubbed the F-15F, the new model would be primarily an air superiority aircraft with secondary ground attack capability and is offered mainly to keep the F-15 line open after 1993, at which point existing contracts will be fulfilled.

Saudi Arabia, Israel and some Western European countries are target customers, the latter if the joint UK/Spain/Germany/Italy EFA fighter program fails to get off the ground.

No Czech Fulcrums:

For so far unexplained reasons, the Czechoslovakian Air Force has abandoned plans to procure MiG-29 fighters intended to supplement and replace ageing MIG-21 Fishbeds in the interceptor role.

An unknown quantity of Fulcrums has already entered Czech service, and the country’s action has opened speculation that a western fighter might be under investigation. Czechoslovakia’s front line fighter/ fighter-bomber strength currently consists of nearly 400 MiG-218 and MiG-238.

 Avi/Australian Aviation Agreement Ends:

The marketing agreement between Aviation Video International and Australian Aviation magazine has terminated following the sale of AVI’s Australian marketing/distribution rights to Hoyts Polygram.

The move effectively ends the marketing relationship between AVI and AA where this magazine actively sold AVI Great Planes video tapes. While the partnership had proven successful from the magazine’s point of view, it placed a considerable strain on AVI who primarily are video producers, rather than distributors. It was this situation that ultimately resulted in the sale of AVI’s Australian video marketing rights to the Sydney based Hoyts Polygram.

The move, however, is good news for readers in that they will be able to buy the ongoing series of Great Planes tapes (and many others, including the yet to be launched Strange Planes collection) direct from major retail outlets.

Hoyts Polygram will, from the next issue, be advertising not only their Great Planes tapes but also a wide range of new aviation videos that are sure to be of great interest to readers.

Happy Anniversaries:

Bearing in mind the fact that in 1990 we will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, it’s worth remembering that several famous aircraft are also seeing the Golden Anniversary of their maiden flights during the course of the year.

Heading the list is the de Havilland Mosquito (first flight 25 November) and North American P-51 Mustang (26 October) and adding to an interesting array are the Hawker Typhoon (24 February), Macchi C. 202 Fol- gore (10 August), North American B-25 Mitchell (19 August), Junkers Ju188 (early 1940, converted from a Ju88), Kawanishi ‘Emily’ flying boat, Ilyushin 1-2 Stormovik (actually 30 December 1939 but close enough!), Mikoyan MiG-3 (5 April), Tupolev Tu-2 (October), Curtiss C-46 Commando (26 March), Curtiss SB2C Helldiver (18 December), Martin B-26 Marauder (25 November), and Vought F4U Corsair (29 May). An important golden anniversary also occurs early in the new year when the Avro Lancaster records the 50th anniversary of its first flight on 9 January 1941.

Turkey Orders Spanish:

The joint Spanish/Indonesian CASA/ITPN CN-235 twin turboprop transport aircraft has won a major sales victory with the ordering of 52 examples by the Turkish Armed Forces.

The CN-235 won the order after a lengthy evaluation which included the Aeritalia G. 222 and the DHC Buffalo. Powered by two 1,750shp GE CT7 turboprops, the CN-235 is available in both civil and military forms (both have a rear loading ramp) and is capable of carrying up to 45 passengers in commuter configuration or 48 troops in its military version.

The Turkish deal involves delivering complete aircraft from CASA’s production line but some component manufacture will be assigned to Turkish industry. The Turkish government has a requirement for a further 20 CN-2358 for civilian roles, notably developing the country’s regional transport system.

Malaysia/Finland Fighter Evaluations:

Both Malaysia and Finland are currently looking at new fighters to replace older types.

A Dassault Mirage 2000 was recently demonstrated to the RMAF at its Butterworth Base; it and the General Dynamics F-16 are contenders to replace the RMAF’s 14 North- rop F-5E Tigers. In 1988 Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with British Aerospace for 12 Panavia Tornados. Although that order has not as yet been subject to a formal contract, it is not thought the latest investigations will necessarily affect that as the RMAF wants a high/low mix of fighters with the Tornado assuming the former role.

The Finnish Air Force has meanwhile requested tenders from General Dynamics (F-16), Dassault (Mirage 2000) and Saab (Gripen) for the supply of 20 single seat fighters plus five two seat operational trainer versions. As part of its neutrality, Finland will also purchase 20 fighters from the Soviet Union. First discussions centred around the MiG-29 Fulcrum but the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker is now preferred.

The decision on which western fighter will be ordered is to be announced in 1992 with deliveries taking place in 1995 and 1996. Fin- land’s current fighter strength consists of approximately 30 MIG-218 and 45 Saab Drakens.

 Raaf Reorganises in Melbourne:

A major reorganisation of the RAAF’s logistics and training functions is now fully effective.

The changes, which are essentially administrative, mean that RAAF Support Command, with headquarters in Melbourne, will be split into two separate Commands: Logistics Command and Training Command. Previously. Support Command encapsulated both logistics and training functions.

The RAAF now has three Commands: Air Command, with headquarters in Glenbrook NSW: Logistics Command, with headquarters in Melbourne; and Training Command, with headquarters at Point Cook, near Melbourne. Air Command is responsible for the operational aspects of the RAAF.

The previous Air Officer Commanding Support Command, Air Vice Marshal Alan Reed, will continue as Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command and will remain Vic- toria’s highest ranking RAAF officer. The Air Officer Commanding Training Command is Air Commodore Ken Blakers. Implementation of the new structure follows the Sander- son recommendations on the devolution of functions out of Canberra to supporting Commands.

AVM Reed said the Sanderson recommendations prompted the RAAF to act on a proposal already under consideration, to separate the training and logistics functions which were being examined under the terms of RAAF quality initiatives. He said RAAF Support Command had been following Total Quality Management principles since July 1988, and it was clear that a more effective operation would result from separating the two Command functions.

“The restructuring will emphasise the importance of logistics and training in a peacetime environment. ” he said. The reorganisation is being achieved with no overall increase in manpower.

The job of Logistics Command, comprising about 4,100 people, is to provide regulatory airworthiness, support engineering and spares inventory management for the RAAF and Army aviation. Apart from a headquarters organisation, units under Logistics Command will be the RAAF’s three aircraft depots, three stores depots, the ammunition depot, the publications unit and RAAF Support Units in Melbourne and Hobart.

Training Command, comprising about 4,800 people, is to provide all air and ground training for the RAAF ranging from initial aircrew and trade training through to continuation and instructor training and Staff College training.

Bases and units under Training Command will be East Sale, Fairbairn, Pearce, and Wagga; No 1 Recruit Training unit and Airmen Aircrew Flying Training School (Edinburgh, SA); and RAAF Security and Fire School (Amberley, Queensland).

Bye Bye Blackbird:

The Lockheed SR-71 ‘Blackbird’ high speed high altitude reconnaissance aircraft-the world’s fastest conventional aeroplane was formally retired from USAF service in March, 25 years after its first flight.

Very advanced even by today’s standards, the SR-71 retired with a ‘bang’, setting a new trans-USA speed record on its day of retirement. Flying from Los Angeles to Washington, the aircraft completed the trip in 1hr 4min, a staggering average of 1,877kts (3,475km/h) and less than a third of the time taken by the previous record holder, a Boe- ing 707.

The SR-71 also holds the world’s air speed record over a straight course (1,905kts/ 3,529km/h) and a closed circuit (1,818kts/3,366km/h) and in September last year set a New York to London record of 1hr 54min, an average of 1,895kts (3,509km/h). After its farewell flight, the record breaking Blackbird was delivered to the Smithsonian.

Institution’s Air and Space Museum in Washington. The days of the SR-71 may not be completely numbered, however, as three aircraft are being kept in flyable storage at NASA’s Ames-Dryden Flight Research facil- ity. NASA and the USAF are working on a loan agreement where the aircraft could be used as high speed testbeds for NASA research projects.

Centrespread

Who would have thought just a year ago that an Australian F-18 Hornet would be photographed flying wing on a Soviet Air Defence Force Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker? The long answer is nobody! Such is the pace of glasnost and the winds of change within the once omnipotent empire of the bulwark of the Communist Bloc that photos such as this may well become ‘ops normal” in the years ahead. Commencing on page 24 of this issue is an in-depth technical analysis of the Flanker, in addition to an overview of his own historic flight in this impressive aircraft by RAAF Chief of Air Staff, AM Ray Funnell. Australia hopes to be able to reciprocate the courtesy with a flight in a dual seat F-18B at some appropriate time in the future.

 New Hercules Planned:

Now well into its fourth decade of production and service, Lockheed’s venerable C-130 Hercules transport is now the subject of a $US100m development and modernisation program by its manufacturer with an aim to capturing a USAF requirement to replace some 150 C-130E and 50 pre-1974 C-130H models.

The update – dubbed C-130J – will have more powerful Allison T56 Series IV engines, advanced six bladed propellers, a state-of- the-art digital cockpit which will halve the flight deck crew to two by removing the need for a navigator and flight engineer, improved performance and greatly reduced operating costs.

Compared with the C-130E, the ‘J’ will climb to 18,000ft from sea level in 10 minutes (23min in the E), will feature 5% less fuel burn at a given cruise speed or fly 40kt (74km/h) faster for the same fuel consumption. If ordered this year, the C-130J could be in USAF service by 1994.

Beech/MD Win Ttts Contract:

After a lengthy competition, Beechcraft and its partner McDonnell Douglas has been awarded the USAF’s Tanker Transport Training System (TTTS) contract with the Beech- jet 400 light corporate jet over the Learjet 31 and the Cessna Citation.

Beech will supply the airframe for the contract (intended to train tanker and tanker/ transport pilots) and McDonnell Douglas Training Systems will manage the program. Associated with the deal is Quintron, which will provide 14 simulators. Most corporate jet manufacturers bid for the contract initially. although those with larger aircraft such as British Aerospace (BAe 125), Canadair (Challenger), IAI (Astra) and Sabreliner Corp voluntarily dropped out when they realised the very low unit price required by the USAF could not be met.

With a potential worth of $US1bn for the supply of 210 aircraft and associated systems, the contract is obviously a lucrative one although at this stage the only firm order placed is for a single aircraft valued at only $US8. 8m. The remainder of the contract is at the moment subject to option.

The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in October 1991 and if the program goes ahead as planned the 210th example will be handed over in 1997. Deliveries in the meantime would comprise 28 in 1992, 36 in 1993, 48 in 1994, 39 in 1995, 43 in 1996 and 16 in 1997.