Newsdesk- Military Aviation

Military Exports Poor:

Australia exported $122m worth of defence equipment in the 1990-91 financial year, including ammunition, rifles, artillery and boats, to 55 countries.

Most of the goods were those designated non-lethal by the government export guidelines, which ironically regards sporting rifles and ammunition as ‘non-lethal’. According to industry groups the guidelines serve no purpose other than to severely restrict Australia’s export potential in the defence area, an area (even in our immediate region) which is potentially worth billions in much needed export income.

Some slightly warlike equipment was exported, however, including a 4. 5 inch naval gun to Bangladesh, Bofors gun components to Ireland, mortar bombs to Singapore and ex-RAAF Mirages to Pakistan. Patrol boats were given to Micronesia, Tonga and the Marshall Islands.

Important Notice

Readers are reminded that as Australian Aviation is produced 10 times a year there will be no January or February issues.

The next edition of AA will be the March issue, which will go on sale nationally on the 20 February. There-after will follow monthly editions in the normal manner. The reason the December issue is brought out later than normal and the March edition early (20 Feb) is to reduce to a minimum the time period when no new editions are available.

In these tight economic times readers are again reminded that they save substantially and usually receive their magazines earlier than they are available on the newsstand by subscribing direct. Two year subscribers save up to $39 and one year subscribers save a handy $10. Like we have always said – why pay $4. 90 for this magazine when you can get it for only $3. 45? Refer p. 19 for full details.

Turbo Tracker Marketed:

Marsh Aviation, of Mesa, Arizona, is now marketing its Turbo Tracker, a Grumman S-2E Tracker

re-engined with 1,645shp Garrett TPE331-15 turboprops in place of the original Wright R-1820 piston radials.

Intended for both military and civil applications, the basic Turbo Tracker conversion costs $US2. 5m and offers a 76 knot (140km/h) increase in top speed, improved climb and single engined performance, better aerodynamics, automatic start sequencing, simple power controls and GPS. Some 200 Trackers are still in military service with another 75 or so flying civilian duties, mostly as water bombers. Seven conversions have been sold so far and the company expects to be producing 24 a year from 1993. The 17 former RAN Trackers currently being processed through a refurbishment program at West Sale (refer p. 5 Nov 91 AA) are candidates for resale as turboprop conversions.

F-22 for Germany?:

In what could be seen as a blow to the viability of the multinational European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) program, Germany has added the Lockheed/ GD/Boeing F-22 to the list of possible alternatives to the EFA.

Germany requires a new fighter aircraft by the turn of the century to replace its 200 plus F-4 Phantoms and the procurement of 250 EFAs was planned. It is acknowledged this is no longer a realistic figure in view of the changed political situation in Eastern Europe and other factors and the number is more likely to be about 175. Germany’s stance on the issue is that it will continue to participate in the development phase of the EFA but at the same time scrutinise the program for further cost savings and consider alternatives.

Along with the F-22, alternatives being looked at are the McDonnell Douglas F-15F Eagle and F/A-18 Hornet 2000 development, the Dassault Rafale, an upgraded Tornado ADV and even the MiG-29. The four nations involved with EFA (Britain, Spain, Germany and Italy) originally stated a combined requirement for 765 aircraft. A reduction by any of them would significantly increase the cost of the program to the others. Spain has already indicated it might cut its requirement by 25 aircraft to just 75.

 Chinese Fighter Engine Alternatives:

China is investigating re-engining its F-7 fighter (a copy of the MiG-21) with either westem or Soviet engines, with Pakistan a likely customer.

Pakistan is apparently investigating the purchase of 40 F-7s as an alternate to more General Dynamics F-16s, and already operates 135 F-7 variants. Delivery of 60 more F-16s has stalled due to diplomatic wranglings between the USA and Pakistan over the latter’s potential nuclear capability. The engines most likely to be considered are the Turbo Union RB199 which powers the Panavia Tornado and the Klimov RD-33 as installed in the MiG-29. Both are augmented turbofans in the 16,000-18,000lb thrust class.

Every Base Should Have One:

Perusing the very comprehensive DoD document outlining the facilities extant at RAAF

Laverton, we came across an interesting inclusion tailor made for the ‘silly season”.

In the long list of buildings and associated facilities, between Recreation Room and Sports Oval is a Reproduction Centre. Does anyone know exactly what a Reproduction Centre is? And they say being in the Services is tough!

 Stealth Works!:

The humble bat (the animal, not the cricket or baseball) has one of the world’s most effective ‘radar and colli- sion avoidance systems.

However, in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf Warabat met its stealthy match in the shape of a Lockheed F-117 when it flew into the aircraft’s hangar and promptly collided with an F-117 rudder. Stunned, the bat picked itself off the floor and groggily flew away. Of interest is the fact that a bat’s ultrasound wavelength is roughly the same as X-band radar. Was this the world’s first case of yet another syndrome-R-LOC: Rudder induced Loss Of Consciousness? (refer to other stories on G-LOC and B-LOC).

National Aeroskills Project Launched:

In an effort to flatten out the now familiar roller coaster of skills training in the aerospace industry, the Federal Govern- ment and industry have linked to form the National Aeroskills Project.

NAP is already developing a range of reforms that will progress further the broad national training reform agenda within the context of industry and award restructuring: address training issues specific to the industry and finally to act as an advisory body on training matters for the industry to employers, unions and government.

One interesting area of activity by NAP is the move to revise military trade certificates so that they have relevance to the civilian market. This has always been a major problem with suitably skilled military engineering, maintenance and electronics specialist having difficulty gaining recognition of their skills within the civilian community. Established initially for a two year period, it is hoped that NAP does indeed achieve its goals at a crucial time of massive award restructuring throughout Australia.

New F-111 Simulator:

The Department of Defence has acquired a surplus USAF F-111F simulator for the RAAF, and tenders have been issued to upgrade and reconfigure it to meet RAAF F-111C function and performance requirements. The ‘F’ was the final (and most capable) F-111 variant, with 106 of them joining the USAF between 1971 and 1976.

 Calling All 36 Squadron Members:

Number 36 Squadron RAAF will be celebrating its 50th anniversary over the weekend of 28 February-1 March 1992 and organisers are naturally keen to attract as many former squadron members as possible. The celebrations will be held at RAAF Richmond and those interested should telephone (045) 70 3610, fax (045) 70 3634 or write to the CO, 36 Sqn, RAAF Richmond, 2755.

South Africa’s Turbo Daks:

The South African Air Force has rolled its version of a turboprop powered Dakota, appropriately called the “Turbo Dak”.

The SAAF will modify most of its 39 surviving Dakotas to the new configuration, which involves the installation of a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6s in place of the usual Twin Wasp radials. The conversion provides the Dakota with a 43 knot (80km/h) increase in cruising speed, 216nm (400km) extra range and a 2,200lb (1,000kg) payload increase. The control surfaces are modified and updated avionics and new electrical and hydraulic systems have been installed.

To counter the centre of gravity effects of the much lighter turboprops, a one metre

Did you see this at Richmond? One of the real attention getters at October’s Richmond air show was this tiny man (or woman) portable Go-Ped. The Go-Ped is ideal for aviators who land at an airport and need instant transport. Weighing around 9kg, the Go-Ped easily folds away in the back of your lightie and costs less than a dollar to fuel For more information contact John Raynor on (03) 592 1945. Sydney based Aeromil, one of Australia’s largest aircraft brokers, is going international. The company and its associates have purchased Austin Aero Inc, a leading FBO at Austin, Texas. The Austin Aero complex. comprises a modern terminal, five hangars and fuel and other services for airline and corporate aircraft owners and their crews.

section has been inserted into the fuselage forward of the wing. A special maritime patrol version is being developed with extra fuel and a range of about 2,600nm (4,800).

Going, Going, Gone. . .

Just a note to fans of our Airpower Collection series that hard cover editions of the Dakota, Caribou & Hercules and the Catalina, Neptune & Orion books are well and truly on finals.

In fact, by the end of this issue’s life we doubt if they would be available. As no reprints of these editions are planned we suggest that if you haven’t already ordered a hard copy edition of either and require same then you move fast. Fortunately sufficient soft cover editions of both titles exist to remain available for some time to come.