Rotor Torque

Us Defence Force Opens Combat Role to Women Pilots

In accordance with President Clinton’s policy on the role of women in the defence force, the US Army has commenced training of women to fly AH-64 Apache and AH-1 Cobra combat helicopters.

Initial conversions will be undertaken by US Army women. pilots already flying the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Similar moves are under way in the navy and airforce, however direct ground combat operations remain closed to women.

Helix Aew Variant Under Test

It has been reported that Kamov has anAEW (airborne early warning) variant of the Ka-29 Helix under development.

Two aircraft have been sighted with what appears to be a solid state array under the fuselage, apparently under test. Logical deployment would be aboard the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and other helicopter capable ships of the Russian Navy.

Queensland Haa Branch Takes Action to Curb Cowboy Operators

In a follow on to the self regulation theme of the HAA seminar held in Melbourne during the Avalon Airshow week, the Queensland branch of the Association is taking active steps to curb the activities of certain irresponsible operators in that State.

A meeting of the Association was informed that the main problems relate to low flying over the Gold Coast beaches and similar low level operations over sporting events, resulting in noise complaints from the public.

A major problem appears to be younger pilots who are not receiving the firm supervision that they obviously require; this was a problem highlighted at the national seminar. There is clearly a need for the cowboys in the industry to clean up their act before they do irreparable damage to the operations of the rest.

The old adage that any fool can fly an aircraft, but it requires brains and discipline to operate it properly, still holds true.

Slippage in Us Army Chinook Follow on Programme Forces Extension in Life of Ch-47D

As previously reported (refer p84 April 93 AA) due to slippage in the CH-47 FO programme, (which could end up with the project being combined with the later Advanced Cargo Aircraft), the US Army is looking to upgrade its CH-47D medium lift helicopter to extend its life beyond 2002.

The CH-47 FÓ is not expected to enter service until the year 2009 and the Army maintains that there is a need to overcome deficiencies in the CH-47D to enable it to remain mission capable. Factors such as range and payload, self defence deficiencies, poor long range navigation and communications capability, and unacceptably large infrared and radar signatures all need to be addressed.

The major improvements will be an increase in range from 300nm to 550nm, and the integration of a glass cockpit. Other improvements being studied include four blade rotors with bearingless hubs, and more powerful engines. A GPS and IR/RF signature suppression system will complete the upgrade.

The US Army plans call for 472 A, B, and C models to be modified to the CH-47D configuration, and it will acquire a further 106 MH-47D and 26 MH-47E special operations helicopters, making a total of 604 aircraft.

Canadian Eh-101 Again Encounters Political Opposition

As the Canadians approach a national election this year, there is growing political controversy over the proposed purchase of 50 Anglo/Italian EH-101 helicopters to replace the CAF’s ageing Sea Kings. Thirty five of the aircraft are required for the shipborne ASW role with a further 15 for land based national SAR. Apart from the Opposition’s expressed concern over the cost of the programme, it is understood that doubt has also been voiced by candidates in the ruling Progressive Conservative Party who are vying to replace the retiring Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney. Should the programme be cancelled, it will have a significant affect on the Canadian aerospace industry, with over 400 companies anticipating involvement.

This latest development, allied with the crash of one of the prototypes, plus the UK Ministry of Defence announcement that it was no longer committed to purchasing 25 of the tactical support versions of the aircraft (refer this column May and June 1993), must place the whole programme in jeopardy.

V-22 Osprey Prospects Improve

As reported last month in this column, the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft looks to be back on track although the final mission capability has yet to be resolved.

Although originally conceived as a replacement forthe USMC CH-46 Sea Knight, 100 additional aircraft were to be purchased by the USN and USAF for long range combat SAR missions. With the setbacks experienced by the programme due to the crash of two of the prototypes and the opposition of the then Defense Secretary, Dick Cheney, interest from the other two services waned.

However discussions have resumed with the USN and USAF in an endeavour to reach a compromise cheaper, and lighter aircraft, dubbed the V-22 derivative. As might be expected, the USMC is keen to have the original V-22 proceed, but in the current defence climate a strong stand on the issue is not expected.

It is understood that President Clinton gave a specific endorsement to the aircraft during the election campaign, which should see it survive in some form or other.

Lloyd Helicopters to Operate Sikorsky S-76A+ in Raaf Sar Support Role

As previously reported (refer p81 May 93 AA), the Lloyd Helicopter Group will operate Sikorsky S-76 helicopters in the SAR support role at a number of RAAF bases.

Five aircraft will be upgraded to the S-76A+ configuration, which provides for fully automatic approach to the hover from cruising flight through the Sikorsky/Honeywell developed SPZ-7600 SAR avionics.

The contract is for five years and is a significant development for the civil helicopter industry.

Tri International Eurocopter EC120 Progressing Well

Ina programme launched in October 1992, Eurocopter France is continuing the development of the EC120 light helicopter with its partners, Singapore Aerospace and the Chinese firm, CATIC. The EC120 has been developed from the P120 project, which was shelved when it was recognised that it would not meet market needs. The new design is lighter (down from 2. 2 to 1. 5 tonnes), yet retains the same mission capabilities of law enforcement, SAR, 4/6 passenger transport, and training. Market demand is estimated at between 1500 and 2000 units with Asia as a prime target.

Fitted with the same Fenestron tail rotor as the EC135, the single engine aircraft will be offered with either the Pratt & Whitney PW206-B, or the Arrius 1-B1. The aircraft will have a three bladed rotor system with composite blades and a spheriflex hub, and will be capable of carrying a 750kg slung load at 130kt (240km/h). Hover ceiling out of ground effect will be 9100ft at ISA, and 5250ft at ISA +20.

Eurocopter France has the overall lead in design, with CATIC taking responsibility for the cabin, cockpit, fuel control system and skid undercarriage. Singapore Aerospace will build the Fenestron shroud, tail boom and access doors.

Final assembly will take place at Marignane in France with first flight scheduled for January 1995.

Lloyd Helicopters Now Part of UK Bond Helicopter Group

In a move aimed at strengthening its position as Australia and South East Asia’s largest civil helicopter operator, Lloyd Helicopters has agreed to become part of the UK’s Bond Helicopter group in a substantial multi million dollar deal.

Lloyd Helicopters, which is based in Adelaide, was set up in 1969 and employs some 200 personnel at a range of locations throughout Australia and South East Asia. A large percentage of its turnover is generated through its provision of logistical support for the expanding oil and gas industry in the region.

Stressing that there would be no change to Lloyd’s existing management structure and workforce, and that the company would continue to operate autonomously, Chairman Guy Lloyd commented: “This is a major development in the world helicopter industry and one which we are pleased to be a partner in. Bond is already a major player in the UK and European markets and I have known its Managing Director, Stephen Bond for 15 years.

“Bond is a privately owned company with the Bond family as majority shareholders. Its business culture is very similar to ours and the range of activities in which it is involved both offshore and onshore in the UK is an exact mirror of our own.

“The resources of Bond and Lloyd means that we will have over 90 aircraft in our fleet and employ a total of around 850 personnel. This, together with a combined turnover of more that $200m, places us very firmly in the top five civil helicopter firms in the world”.

Rah-66 Comanche Programme in Trouble Again

Despite the reprieve given to the Comanche programme reported in this column in October 92, the programme is in trouble again as planners try to cope with a one third budget cut imposed by the new US administration.

Although the current flyaway cost per unit is steady at $US13m, total programme costs stand at $US30m per aircraft. This takes into account training, hangarage, simulators, and development of the maintenance programme. With a planned buy of 1292 aircraft (reduced from 2096), this amounts to a major programme even in US terms.

In a surprising cost saving proposal, army aviation planners are considering deleting the swivelling nose mounted 20mm cannon, or alternatively, to retain the cannon in a fixed forward firing position. The latter proposal would rely on the aircraft’s high rate of turn enabling it to rapidly direct fire on a lateral target. Although Army planners maintain that the fixed cannon would not impose too high an operational penalty, it is difficult to see how its mission capability would not be affected.

First flight of the first of three prototypes will not now take place until August 1995, a slippage of one year. Entry into operational service has slipped five years to the year 2003.

With the downturn in major world power tensions, it is not difficult to envisage a call for a reduction in very expensive, high tech aircraft such as the Comanche, and for a simpler off the shelf aircraft to be purchased instead.

Although it has reached the limits of growth, the most likely contender, should such a course be adopted, would be the Bell Textron OH-58D. However, the major argument against the OH-58D is that it would not be possible to transfer to it the systems developed for the Comanche, particularly the latter’s stealth capability. The low observable (LO) capabilities are fundamental to the Comanche’s fuselage, rotor hub and cuff, and special ribbon type exhaust system, which mixes cold air with the exhaust gases to reduce the IR signature.

The future of this very expensive programme will test the resolve of the new US administration.