Newsdesk- Military Aviation

The private venture programme is going ahead without a launch customer and first deliveries are planned for 1996. The Hercules II features numerous changes over the cur- rent C-130H including 20% more powerful and more fuel efficient Allison GMA2100 turboprops driving Dowty propellers with six swept composite blades, a new cockpit featuring digital avionics, four Honeywell liquid crystal head down displays and two head up displays, a two man crew for most missions (the flight engineer’s station is re- moved and the navigator’s upgraded for the occasions it will be used) and improved electrical, navigation, environmental con- trol and fuel systems.

Lockheed is aiming to keep the cost of Hercules II down more than 10% above the C-130H in combination with lower operating and support costs. The company sees a market for the civil model as a cargo feeder for Boeing 747 freighters and on the military side, the target is replacement of the 1400 C-130s delivered before 1970.

Jpats Programme Upset:

The USN/USAF’s JPATS (Joint Primary Aircraft Training System) programme has been thrown into confusion following the inform-ing of the main contenders that the programme as such does not yet exist! JPATS is a $US6bn project calling for the supply of more than 700 aircraft, foreign manufacturers teaming with US companies to field proposals. Contenders include the Pilatus/Beech PC-9, Cessna with a CitationJet variant, the Agusta/Grumman S. 211, Aermacchi/Lockheed MB-339 “T-Bird IT, Embraer/Northrop Super Tucano, MBB/ Rockwell Fanranger and FMA/Vought Pampa 2000.

According to the US Defence Acquisition Board, JPATS has not “passed milestone 0” and therefore does not technically exist. Companies contesting the contract have been told they have no authority to proceed, even at their own expense. It is hoped that “Milestone 0” (recognition that there is a JPATS programme at all) will have been reached by the time these words are read. Milestone 1 (scheduled for April) will finally allow the release of the draft request for proposals.

Iran Looks at Russian Subs:

The US is showing concern at reports that Iran is negotiating with Russia for the purchase of two additional Kilo class submarines.

Iran already operates three of the diesel powered submarines and the US is concerned about the balance of power in the Gulf and North Arabian Sea and the security of its aircraft carriers in the area plus other military and merchant shipping The general subject of the sale of weapons made in the former USSR is causing concern, although any threat the Iranian Kilos may offer is in some ways nullified by that country’s current lack of experience in submarining, and therefore the skills required to evade detection by anti submarine aircraft.

One US ASW expert suggested that any hostile use of the subs by the Iranians (even with Russian crews) would simply consti- tute a “live firing exercise” situation, not that dissimilar to that which prevailed against Iraq’s theoretically formidable air force once actual combat took the place of macho rhetoric in January 1991.

Btr Wins Award:

BTR Aerospace Australia has been awarded a Key Plan Award by Northrop in recognition for outstanding quality and delivery of F/A-18 Hornet hydraulic speed brake actuators over the past eight years.

This prestigious award is presented to Northrop suppliers in recognition of outstanding supplier performance in quality, cost and on time delivery. In order to achieve Key Plan status from Northrop, suppliers have to achieve a product acceptance rate of 98% or better and an on time delivery rate of at least 95%. BTR Aerospace was the first Australian company to ‘cut metal’ on the Hornet programme, doing so in February 1983 with the first machining of speedbrake actuators. Since then it has delivered 536 units and is negotiating follow on orders. CENTRESPREAD The Embraer EMB-312 Tucano is perhaps the most successful turboprop trainer currently in service, with total orders for the type in excess of 630.

The Tucano came about as Embraer’s response to a Brazilian Air Force requirement for a turboprop basic trainer in the late seventies. First flight of the Tucano took place during 1980, and the Brazilian Air Force began to receive its first aircraft during the second half of 1983. Essentially similar aircraft were ordered by Argentina, France, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Peru and Venezuela. All of these Tucanos are powered by the ubiquitous Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6.

An important variant of the Tucano is the $312, license built by Shorts in the UK for the Royal Air Force. These aircraft differ in that they are powered by the more powerful Garrett TPE331 engine and are fitted with British avionics. The S312 has also been purchased by Kenya and Kuwait.

Currently under development is the stretched and more powerful EMB-312H. This aircraft is being developed by Embraer in association with Northrop to contest the USAF and USN’s Joint Primary Aircraft Training System contract, but is also on offer to any other interested party.

 Raaf Computer Purchasing:

The RAAF has introduced a new computer based purchasing system called Electronic Purchasing By Units (EPU).

An RAAF project team developed the system and in the space of a year has implemented 14 bases across Australia, saving the RAAF more than $10m this financial year.

The savings come from eliminating non technical stores at all RAAF bases and reducing personnel involved in provisioning procurement and warehouse activities. Man- power savings are still being assessed but are expected to be about $3. 6m annually with further savings possible later on. EPU cost only $1. 3m and gives the RAAF direct electronic access to wholesalers.

The RAN is also showing interest in the system and has already examined its own software system, while other government departments and private companies are expected to follow suit.

Lockheed Buys F-16 Line:

Lockheed has purchased General Dynamics’ Tactical Military Aircraft Division, giving it the successful F-16 Fighting Falcon line and therefore prime contractor status on the F-22 Lightning.

The $US1. 5bn deal comes as part of a general self motivated rationalisation of the US military industry following recent defence cuts in the wake of the end of the Cold War. For its part, General Dynamics’ aviation interests are now a shadow of their former and quite recent selves having sold off many of the components which previ-ously made it an enormously powerful conglomerate. Its main defence interess now centre around submarines and tanks and with the sale of the F-16 line and of Cessna last year, it retains few aviation interests.

Lockheed has also turned around in the last two years, but positively. It had the P-7 maritime patrol aircraft cancelled and lost a contract to make wings for the McDonnell Douglas C-17 transport but now has the F-16, F-22 and is involved with four of the five teams contesting the US Navy’s A-X attack aircraft competition. It has also recently signed an agreement with Russia to market the successful Proton space launch vehicle in the West.

Meanwhile, the F-22 programme has been stretched out a little due to funding reductions. Delays in the approval of various production stages will see slips of a year to 18 months with low rate production approval not now expected until January 1997 and full rate approval until June 2001.

It’s interesting to note the general decline in US military aircraft procurement over recent years. In the 1950s more than 60 new aircraft programmes were initiated and each programme involved an average of nearly 800 aircraft. By contrast, the 1980s saw 25 new programmes start and the average procurement was down to just over 300 aircraft. This trend is expected to continue into the 1990s and beyond.

Varyag Sale Off:

The proposed sale of the partially completed 67,000 tonne former Soviet aircraft carrier Varyag to China is off, according to western intelligence sources.

At one stage the sale looked a certainty and it now appears the ship will either be sold for scrap or left to rust at the Nikolayev Souch shipyard in Ukraine. There has been other interest in the Varyag. The Russian Navy has shown strong interest but has no funds available while India and Argentina have also been listed as possible buyers but baulked at the prospect of having to fit out the only 60% complete ship with either Russian (doubtful product support) or western (too expensive) combat systems.

The Russian Navy is experiencing great problems with its remaining carriers. The Minsk has been sold for scrap following perennial engine problems, something which also affects sister ships Novorossiyk and Kiev. It is believed that these will also be scrapped as will the older helicopter cruisers Moskva and Leningrad.

In other Russian naval news, Iran has taken delivery of its first Kilo class submarine. The vessel was shadowed by the Royal Navy during the voyage to Iran and noted that it flew the Russian Navy ensign and was manned by Russians. The submarine has an interesting surface to air missile capability- man portable and shortrange SA-14 or SA-16 infrared guided missiles-astrange concept considering that the boat would have to be surfaced to operate such systems, something that in the presence of hostile aircraft might be deemed an unhealthy practice.

Meanwhile, Russian president Boris Yeltsin has said that his country will stop building submarines in the next 2-3 years. The Russian Navy is currently deploying only a single ballistic missile submarine and three attack submarines on patrols.

Dsto Scientists Produce World-Leading Anti-Corrosion Technology:

Researchers fromthe Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) are developing a number of revolutionary world first techniques in detecting and preventing aircraft corrosion. Scientists from the Aeronautical Research Laboratory (ARL) in Melbourne are replaing chromates, the treatment chemicals for metal corrosion prevention, with special non-toxic rare earth chemicals.

“Using these safer chemicals overcomes many of the health and environmental risks associated withusing chromates,” said DSTO researcher, Dr Neil Ryan. “Although very effective, chromate based coatings are carcinogenic and their use is subject to stringent health and environmental legislation. ” While the main aim of the DSTO research was to preserve and protect RAAF aircraft, the techniques have attracted considerable interest from civilian companies such as Boeing, which is now partly funding the research. DSTO, in collaboration with CSIRO, hopes now to develop an industrial pilot plant within the next two years.

Another recent significant development for DSTO is an electronic ‘black box’ which helps improve corrosion detection and control techniques. The black box-technically referred to as a ‘galvanic pile’ – is a corrosion sensor which, when mounted in an aircraft, monitors the severity of the op- erational environment. This includes the influences of temperature, humidity and airborne pollutants. “This vital information certainly gives us the edge in the corrosion war,” Dr Ryan said. “Corrosion costs the RAAF tens of thousands of dollars in down time and maintenance. Our aim with this ongoing research is to develop improved methods to preserve and prolong the life of aircraft. ” Dr Ryan is also working on developing methods to more accurately predict when protective paints on aircraft need to be replaced or restored. “Our main aim is to reduce maintenance costs and extend an aircraft’s durability,” he said.

The DSTO is one of Australia’s leading research and development organisations and provides support to the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Defence and Australian industry.

Eurofighter Goes Ahead:

The European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) development programme will go ahead with support from the original four member nations – Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain-despite recent doubts and reorganisations (refer p11 Dec 92 AA).

Now called the Eurofighter 2000, the aircraft will have as yet unannounced changes from the original EFAand will reportedly be about 30% cheaper. The industrial and timescale aspects of the revised programme are also yet to be sorted out, and there is still the possibility that Germany may decide not to move onto the production phase. A decision on this is required before 1995.

Current plans will see the Eurofighter in service with Britain and Italy by 2000 and Germany and Spain in 2002. First flight will now most likely take place in Britain rather than Germany.

 Israel to Upgrade Migs:

Israel Aircraft Industries (LAI) has won a $US300m contract to refurbish and upgrade 100 Romanian Air Force MiG-21 fighters.

Work on a prototype is planned to begin early this year and involves fitting a new radar, mission computer, multifunction displays and weapons delivery and navigation systems. In addition, the aircraft will be made capable of carrying laser guided bombs and advanced missiles.

The work on the prototype for the upgrade will be carried out in Romania by Aerostar, which has previously performed Romanian MiG-21 maintenance work. This is expected to take two years while upgrading the 100 aircraft will take a further three years.

Agm-130 Deliveries Start:

Of interest to the RAAF and its F-111C squadrons is the news that the US Air Force has taken delivery ofits first Rockwell AGM-130 air to ground missiles.

The AGM-130 is a powered derivative of the 2000lb (907kg) GBU-15 guided bomb which saw extensive service in the Gulf War, offering three times the standoff range of the earlier weapon, increasing from 13nm (20km) to 40nm (64km) at high altitude. Lower down, the AGM-130 has a range of about 15mm (24km). It will be fitted to the USAF’s F-111Fs and F-15Es.

Aurora Speculation Grows:

Speculation that the US Air Force has been secretly flying hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft for at least three years has increased following the publication of a three view drawing in Jane’s Defence Weekly and the sighting by an experienced aircraft observer of a similarly shaped aircraft over the North Sea in 1989.

For some time referred to as the Aurora, the aircraft as shown in the Jane’s drawing is a perfect 75 degrees swept triangle inplan view and an arched, rounded design in elevation. The shape corresponds with earlier design studies by McDonnell Douglas dating from the 1960s, although it is assumed Lockheed is the prime Aurora contractor through its famous Skunk Works experimental facility. Witnesses who have seen or heard a mystery aircraft in the USA (near Edwards and Beale AFBs and the secret flight test centre at Groom Lake, Nevada) have reported a low frequency, very high amplitude pulsing sound consistent with that which would be made by a hypersonic aircraft, according to experts.

The aircraft seen at high altitude over the North Sea was in company with a KC-135 tanker and two F-111s. From those comparisons, the dimensions of the aircraft are estimated to have a length up to 27m (82 feet) and wing span about 15m (50 feet), or roughly the size of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. It is estimated the aircraft could reach speeds as high as Mach 8 (8630kmh/4600kts) and is probably powered by four combined cycle engines burning liquid methane. The engines, if fitted, might be of the Billig-cycle type (named after the designer) which use cryogenic fuel and combine the features of a ramjet, rocket and turbine engine. As speed increases, the use of fuel reduces until above Mach 6 the engine operates as a pure ramjet.

The USAF and government have repeatedly denied the existence of the Aurora or any similar project and have attempted to cast doubts on unexplained seismographic evidence collected by the US Geological Survey. Aurora apparently emits a rumbling sonic boom rather than two bangs normally associated with a supersonic fighter, and there have been several reports of such noises.

As for the aircraft being spotted over the North Sea, a long way from home, it has been suggested that because of its speed and altitude it will cover an enormous dis- tance during acceleration and deceleration. Keeping the aircraft within the confines of the USA would therefore be impossible, so it is thought Aurora is flown across the Atlantic and then refuelled in the air by one of the KC-135 units based in the England before returning to the USA. USAF F-111s are also based in the UK.

THANK YOU The small crew at Australian Aviation would sincerely like to thank each and every one of our readers for their continued support through these difficult times. This support has enabled your aviation magazine to report a modest Increase in audited circulation at a time of great for both the publishing and international aerospace industry.

For the April thru September 1992 period, Australian Aviation was able to increase its CAB audited circulation to 18,258 sales perissue. By comparison, our primary competitors, Aircraft & Aerospace recorded 5019 for the period and Flying 10,770.

Russians in the Raft:

Britain’s Royal Air Force is considering buying military aircraft from two former Soviet states to meet requirements for transport and maritime patrol aircraft.

The RAF is to issue formal Requests for Information to Russia’s Berievand Ukraine’s Antonov covering the Be-42 Mermaid (also known as Albatross) jet amphibious and An-70T propfan transport as possible replacements for the Nimrod and Hercules, respectively. Should the Beriev andAntonov bids be successful it would be the first time a major western nation has purchased military equipment from the former USSR. Western engines and equipment might be fitted to the aircraft if they are ordered.

The RAF has other options for the replacement of the 30 Nimrods including re-building and updating them or purchasing Lockheed P-3 Orions or Dassault Atlantique Ils. As for the transport requirement, the new C-130J Hercules, the McDonnell Douglas C-17 and Euroflag Future Large Aircraft’ project are all possibilities, although the RAF’s stated need to start replacing its 60 existing Hercules from 1996 would seem to preclude the latter.

 Adopition Study:

The Australian government has commissioned a consultant study options for the future of Australia’s largest defence manufacturer, Australian Defence Industries (ADI).

The company is wholly owned by the government and the consultants, Macquarie Corporate Finance, are to report on the possibilities of full or partial privatisation of ADI. The company’s operations include clothing, munitions and ordnance manufacture, heavy engineering and Sydney’s Garden Island dockyard. It employs 6200 people at 11 establishments in three states.