Newsdesk – Military Aviation

AA Comment: During the reporting period it was announced that the Prime Minister’s Department had commenced a study for a replacement for the RAAF 707 as a dedicated VIP transport with the 757 as a favoured candidate. While there are a number of stored (ex Eastern) early build 757s basking in the Arizona desert, an updated aircraft of this ilk would still cost the Government something in the region of $50m. Considering that the PM (or whoever) needs this type of long range three to four times a year it would seem a more practical option to simply hushkit the existing 707 for about $5m in total.

I am sure that surethatthe one million unemployed and the rest of us faced with a stagnant economy, massive deficit, record foreign debt, disappearing election and One Nation promises left right and centre and a horror budget on the horizon would prefer a little fiscal logic here, just for a change!

Safeskies Conference Attracts Top Speakers:

The ACT and South Eastern NSW section of the Chartered Institute of Transport is conducting a safety conference aimed at “Promoting the exchange of safety concepts, services, technology and products for safer skies’.

The Safeskies conference, to be held in Canberra during October, will feature a number of notable air safety experts, includ- ing the CAA’s General Manager of Air Traf- fic Services, Capt Buck Brooksbank, Qantas’ Manager, Flight Safety, Captain John Faulkner, Mr Don Kendell, founder and chair- man of Kendell Airlines, and more, while the keynote speaker will be US aviation expert and author of ‘Blind Trust’, Mr John Nance. The conference will be held over October 19-21 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. Prospective participants should contact Safeskies Conference c/o The Chartered Institute of Transport, GPO Box 1834, Canberra, ACT2601, or phone Carl Stephens on (06) 236 3160 for details.

 P&Wcin Joint Russian Venture:

Pratt & Whitney Canada and the Russian engine design bureau Klimov, has announced a new joint venture company to develop and market engines for the CIS.

The new company, Pratt & Whitney/ Klimov Ltd, is tasked with becoming the leading supplier of turboprop, turboshaft and small turbofan engines in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Pratt & Whitney/Klimov Ltd will design, develop, manufacture and support engines for civil markets, covering turboprops from 550 to 3200shp, turboshafts from 550 to 4000shp and turbofans from 2600 to 6000lb thrust. Pratt & Whitney Canada is one of the world’s leading suppliers of gas turbines, and is perhaps best known for its ubiquitous PT6 turboprop. Klimov designed engines power 90% of all helicopters in the CIS and the company also designs military turbofans. Its turboshafts power the Mi-8 Hip series and the Kamov Ka-27, -28 and -50 families, while it is also responsible for the RD-33 turbofan that powers the MiG-29.

Reborn Twin Otter:

A Washington State firm in the US, Flight Master has plans to significantly upgrade the DHC-3 Twin Otter.

The programme revolves around the installation of P&WCPT6A-34 engines in place of the original-27s, while numerous other modifications include new winglets and replacing both the wing box and wing spars. Optional mods would include updated floats, a new landing gear assembly and two wing tanks. The conversion flight test programme is due to begin by year’s end.

 Yak-242 Development Continues:

Yakovlev remains committed to its 130 to 180 seat class Yak-242 twinjet despite the continuing turmoil in Russia.

An Aeroflot order for 200 of the twinjets still stands, according to Yakovlev, which is working towards Russian certification in 1996. The design bureau and manufacturer has also begun discussions with both the FAA and JAA on western certification. The Yak-242 will feature an Allied Signal EFIS cockpit (a mockup was displayed at Paris), which is seen as essential if the type is to achieve western certification, given the unreliability of Russian equipment.

The Yak-242 will feature a range with 162 passengers of 2300nm (4300km), while it will be powered by two Perm PS-90 turbo-fans producing 26,500lb thrust. Yakovlev says its performance will not be worse than the comparable western 737 and A320. First Might is planned for the end of 1994.

  Pc-9 in Sth Korean Dispute:

An expected South Korean order for the Pilatus PC-9 is in doubt because of a requirement that the advanced trainer be capable of being armed.

Current Swiss laws prohibit the sale of military hardware to war zones or areas of high tension, although Pilatus maintains that the aircraft would be used only for training. The PC-9 does have six hardpoints, which the company says is intended for the carriage of fuel tanks only despite almost $A7m being allocated in its $145m bid for up to 20 aircraft for Belgium arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale to arm the aircraft. Futhermore a brochure produced by Pilatus’ local agent in Korea reportedly shows the aircraft armed with guns, rockets and bombs. The brochure has subsequently been pulped. Shorts looks set to benefit considerably from the confusion, it has offered South Korea an armed Tucano with a 1000kg weapons carrying capability.

Malaysian Fighter Combo:

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has taken the highly unusual step of ordering 18 Mikoyan MiG-29Ms and eight McDonnell Douglas F/A-18Ds.

The two seat F/A-18D is believed to most closely fit the threefold requirements of air defence, ground support and maritime strike. While the deal with the US is strictly cash payment, a number of sweeteners had been offered including halving the delivery time from contract signature to 15 months, and the prospect of offset arrangements with MDC, GE and Hughes, which is believed to be very important. A per-unit cost of $US30m has been quoted.

The Russian deal covers 18 MIG-29MS, including training and initial spares support. The original Russian proposal was also made more attractive by the possibility of parts manufacture in Malaysia, and the offer to set up a refurbishment programme for surplus An-12 transports at Airod in Kuala Lumpur. Russia is believed to have agreed to a high percentage of counter trade, involving palm oil, clothing and textiles, making the MIG far cheaper.

Despite the attractive deal, a number of factors were against the MiG-29 clinching the whole deal, including poor payload range, far lower serviceability and the uncertainty of spares support. The MiG-29s are expected to be delivered almost immediately while the F/A-18, despite the early delivery positions being available, might not be delivered until 1997.

Russia’s final deal for the MiG-29s must have been too good to refuse, operating a small unit mixed fleet of two very complex fighters, one with extremely dubious spares support, the other technologically quite advanced, is a move that certainly defies current convention.

It is interesting to record however, that the F/A-18D purchase will give Malaysia the only real night attack capability between Amberley and Vladivostok.

Usaf’s Ambitious Lean Production Programme:

The US Air Force, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and 25 defence contractors are participating in a new initiative to apply more efficient manufacturing techniques to military aircraft programmes.

The main goal of the Lean Aircraft Initiative is to identify and promote methods which will allow the US military aircraft industry to retain its current pre-eminent position despite continuing cutbacks in spending and industry rationalisation. The initiative hopes to achieve this through rec- ognising techniques and procedures which will allow industry to develop products in a shorter time at lower costs, and also to identify areas in the acquisition process which hinders efficiency.

The USAF hopes the Lean Aircraft Initiative will lead to improvements of more than 50% in areas such as cost, times and quality. Areas targeted include shorter cycle times, designing with building in mind, reducing wastage, flexibility, team work and better supplier relationships. It is hoped these objectives will be achieved through utilising the best of craft construction and mass production techniques. • ARMY INVESTIGATES FALLING CA- BLE: A 6km long target towing cable disconnected from its Fleet Support Learjet, falling from 5000ft (1500m) onto a small fishing village near Adelaide.

The Learjet was taking part in a live firing exercise with the Army’s 126th Air Defence Regiment, towing banner targets for the units Rapier SAMs. The cable was being reeled in when it snapped for an unknown reason, falling onto the township of Port Parham. While there were no injuries, the cable short circuited power lines, cutting off the town’s electricity supply, and caused some minor damage to houses.

The exercise was taking place at the Army’s Port Wakefield range, and the Learjet was flying in a designated range area when the cable snapped.

More Indonesian Hawks:

The Indonesian air force has signed a previously mooted order for a further 24 British Aerospace Hawks.

The 24 aircraft order covers both the two seat Hawk 100 advanced trainer and single seat Hawk 200 multirole lightweight fighter. Presumably the Hawk 100s will augment Indonesia’s existing Hawk T53 advanced trainer force, while the single seat 200s may well replace that country’s A-4 Skyhawks or F-5E Tigers.

Powering the new Hawks will be the Rolls-RoyceAdour 871 of 6030lb thrust. More than 2400 Adours have so far been delivered to 18 air forces, with engines currently being delivered to the US Navy (T-45 Goshawk), Finland, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Orders for the Hawk itself stand at over 700 from 14 countries.

Govt Confirms F-111G Order:

The Federal Government has finally approved the purchase of 15 ex USAF F-111G strike fighters.

The total cost of the deal is just $146m, which involves a substantial spares and logistical support package. The total cost of the aircraft themselves is quoted at $78m, giving a unit cost of only $5. 2m each. The

Centrespread

The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II was a follow on to the earlier C-74 Globemaster which saw service in only limited numbers.

The new Globemaster II was conceived in 1947 and used its earlier stablemate’s wings, tail surfaces and engines, combined with a new box shaped double deck fuselage and clamshell loading doors. 204 pro- duction C-124As were built, followed by 243 C-124Cs, which featured the distinc- tive thimble radar nose. In service they were used operationally to ferry equipment to Korea during the war, and were common visitors to Australia during the 50s and early 60s, much inthe same wayas USAF C-1418 and C-5s are today.

While the last Globemaster Ils were retired in the mid 70s, twenty years later its modem day counterpart, the ultra expensive McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III has just entered USAF service.

balance of $68m, in addition to spares and logistics, includes funding to bring the air- craft into service. Funding will come from both the defence budget and consolidated revenue.

The RAAF plans to have 24 F-111s on line, with the remaining aircraft being kept in reserve. It is understood that the F-111Gs will be upgraded as close to F-111C standards as possible on an as needed basis. Currently 21 F-111s are in service in Australia comprising 17 F-111Cs and four RF-111Cs, with another F-111, the AUP prototype, in the US. Conversion training of the first RAAF aircrews has already commenced at Cannon AFB in New Mexico, and the first ferry flights are due to take place this September/October.

The ‘new’ aircraft will theoretically extend the F-111’s in service career to 2020, just a few years short of a half century of service, a figure previously unheard of. Despite this, the F-111 remains by far the most potent strike fighter currently in service or on order throughout the Asia Pacific area, with an unrivalled payload range and ‘real’ long range attack configured avionics and systems.

The F-111Gs are all ex Strategic Air Command FB-111 aircraft which were handed over to Tactical Air Command (before the two commands were amalgamated into Air Combat Command). They differ from the RAAF existing F-111Cs in that they feature more powerful P&W TF30-P-107 turbofans of 20,350lb thrust, different air inlets and vastly upgraded systems and avionics. A comprehensive update on the F-111 in service appeared in our June issue.

F-15 Sales Push:

McDonnell Douglas is continuing to aggressively hunt for new orders for its F-15 Eagle, production of which is currently due to end in 1998.

MDC only holds orders for nine USAF F-15 attrition replacements, and 72 F-15sfor Saudi Arabia, following the scheduled delivery of the last of 209 F-15Es this month. New orders are needed by the end of 1994 to keep the line open, with the most likely source being from current operators, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the US.

However, MDC believes that the new Saudi F-15 configuration is an ideal export aircraft, with the United Arab Emirates an interested and possible customer. Few other sales are in prospect although the ever possible cancellation of the Eurofighter 2000 would probably result in some orders.

Total sales of the F-15 family stand at 1503, including Mitsubishi licence built F-151s and F-16DJs.

Iai Phalcon Aew&C Debuts at Paris:

Israel Aircraft Industry’s Phalcon 707 based Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform made a brief and unscheduled visit to the Paris Airshow, giving observers a firsthand look at this unique aircraft.

Currently in the latter stages of its flight test programme, the Phalcon uses Elbit designed active electronically scanned phased array radar, mounted in two side fairings and its ungainly and bulbous nose radome (similar in appearance to the Nim- rod AEW). The two side looking antennae consist of six phased arrays, while another array is mounted in the nose. Each individual array has 768 individual transmit/ receive modules. Phased array’s electronic scanning allows the beams to be almost instantaneously switched between widely differing positions, allowing it to reinvestigate areas of interest far more quickly than a conventional mechanically scanned antenna, as on the E-3 Sentry.

The Phalcon is of considerable interest to the RAAF, which has been studying airborne early warning and control since the seventies, and has been particularly interested in the new phased array concepts such as the Phalcon, and various Swedish designs utilising the Saab 340 and Fairchild Metroliner airframes. The Phalcon has already been ordered by Chile with its first machines due to arrive in the next few months, while Singapore is reportedly close to placing an order.

Hdh Awarded Orion Maintenance:

As part of its Commercial Support Programme, the Defence Department has signed a ‘Standing Offer’ with Hawker de Havilland for heavy maintenance of the RAAF P-3 Orion.

HDH will perform what DoD has termed ‘deeper maintenance’ of the Orion fleet at Richmond, the Standing Offer’ is current for five years, with subsequent optional biennial renewals. Other recent HDH defence work includes P-3C Orion ESM modifications with AWA, and the recent Boeing 707 tanker conversions, while it is also teamed with Rockwell on the F-111C AUP programme.

AA Comment: Great news for HdH but is there anyone at the company to talk to regarding where they are and more importantly what lies ahead for Australia’s largest aerospace manufacturer. Since their by the BTR Nylex group, media can only direct their enquiries, no matter how simple, to top management at BTR, which of course is never available for the media. Whilst it may well suit HdH’snew owners to operate under 1960’s CIA style secrecy, it is a little ridiculous when the specialist aviation media cannot liaise with such an important sector of this nation’s aeronautical infrastructure.

While previous HdH PR was next to use- less it at least existed and was far better than the head in the sand attitude exhibited nowa-days by HdH’s new owners. The situation can only improve!

New European Aam Teaming:

British Aerospace, GEC Marconi Dynamics, Alenia and Saab are teaming up to pro- duce a new advanced medium range air-to-air missile, in competition with the Hughes AIM-120 AMRAAM.

The new missile will be pitched primarily at UK, Italian and Swedish requirements for medium range missiles for the Eurofighter 2000 and JAS 39 Gripen. As it stands the new missile will be based on concept work already underway for the BAe/Saab 8225X, and Alenia’s Aspide Mk 2. France’s Matra may also become involved if merger talks with BAe come to fruition, which would bring MICA technology to the programme.

Cas’s European Trainer Tour:

RAAF Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Barry Gration has been visiting European manu-facturers and air arms in the first step in the eventual acquisition of a new lead-in fighter force.

The RAAF’s requirement to replace the Macchi MB-326H has become critical following significant wing fatigue problems. BAe’s Hawk 100, Aermacchi’s MB-339C, CASA’s C. 101DD, the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet Nouvelle Generation (NG) and McDonnell Douglas’s T-45 Goshawk are the primary contenders for the $500m programme. Up to 35 aircraft will be acquired, performing lead-in fighter training and light attack roles.

AM Gration’s evaluation tour included flying the Hawk, Alpha Jet (flying both a French air force sortie and the new Alpha Jet NG), CASA C. 101 and MB-339 as a prelude to a later full evaluation of the types.

Blackbird’s Back:

The SR-71 Blackbird has been given a new lease of life as a scientific research platform with NASA.

Initially lent to the space agency after retirement from the USAF for studies in the development of future high speed aircraft, the Blackbird has now been adapted for scientific research. Preliminary space research use for the aircraft has involved us- ing an upward looking ultraviolet CCD camera. The high speed high altitude Blackbird has significant cost advantages over sounding rocket flights, and investigations are currently underway as to how to fully exploit the jet’s scientific research potential.

Pentagon Comes Under Fire on Bomber Fleet:

The US military brass has been criticised by a General Accounting Office enquiry into the USAF strategic bomber fleet.

The GAO’s (a US Government investiga- tive office) main criticisms were directed toward the Rockwell B-1B Lancer, included inflated claims of the B-1B’s capability. The non publication of the B-1Bs side and rear radar cross section (RCS) results (which are logically believed much larger than the known head on RCS), plans to resolve persistent problems in ECM, flight controls, payload and range performance all came under attack. The GAO also found that the requirement for the Northrop B-2 has significantly diminished. It says that the Soviet air defence system that it was designed to defeat was never fully deployed and that in hindsight, Pentagon threat assessments were greatly overstated. It also said that plans to equip the B-2 with conventional weapons will be complex, costly and time consuming.

The GAO did however come out in favour of the geriatric B-52, finding that its performance was considerably understated over the past decade to ensure funding for the B-1 and B-2 and that it will remain effective for many years to come. This assertion is based on 1990 fatigue data which stated that the B-52’s airframe and other critical components were just half way through their expected lives. Incredibly, the last B-52 was built three decades ago in 1962.

Hungarian Mig-29s:

As payment for debts incurred by Soviet forces formerly stationed in Hungary, that country’s air force will receive 25 MiG-29s from Russia.

All Soviet troops were withdrawn from Hungary by 1991, leaving behind debts of $2. 3bn. The MiG deal, valued at $725m, is part of a total weapons deal worth $1. 1bn, which forms partial payment for the Soviet debt. Hungary operates 143 MiG-23s and MiG-21s, and has been looking at acquiring the far more capable Fulcrum in the light of Yugoslavian violations of airspace since the latter country’s civil war broke out. Previously Germany had thwarted attempts to purchase ex East German aircraft.

Hercules Gunships for Saudi Arabia:

The Royal Saudi Air Force has issued a request for information to US companies regarding the conversion of some of its existing C-130 fleet to gunships.

Both Rockwell and Lockheed are believed to be responding to the request, both companies having a great deal of experience with AC-130 Spectre gunships for the US Air Force. Export restrictions are believed to cover parts of the AC-130 gunship package, which would preclude the RSAF from fully converting aircraft to that standard.

Lockheed’s AC-130H features a sideways firing 105mm Howitzer gun, a 40mm Bofors and two Vulcan 20mm cannons, while the Rockwell AC-130U differs by replacing the two Vulcans with a 25mm GAU-12 six barrel gatling gun.

Williamtown on Parade:

RAAF Williamtown, home of the RAAF’s F/A-18 fighter force will be the subject of a unique and innovative rail tour this August 28.

The unusual rail tour, organised by the NSW Rail Transport Museum, promises participants a rare and firsthand look at the operations of the base and the chance to examine the air force’s potent Hornet force close up. The tour will then move on to the Fighterworld museum, the RAAF’s museum dedicated entirely to the service’s fighter operations. Historic exhibits include the RAAF’s first jet fighter, the Vampire, the Korean war veteran Meteor, the legendary Sabre and the Mirage. In addition, there are a number of displays depicting the history of the RAAF fighter force.

The express train tour will run from Sydney Terminal station to Newcastle, a short one hour express journey. If you would like to be among the very limited number of participants, phone (02) 744 9999 or fax (02) 745 2530 for details. Cost is a mere $50 which has got to be a bargain.

The Rail Transport Museum which is running the Williamtown day is also planning a steam train charter for Avalon 96 (March 21-26). When the Sydney locomotive reaches Albury it will meet with a Victorian loco for a race to Melbourne. Should be fantastic, watch AA for further details.

 New AGM-130 Seeker Improves Accuracy:

A new charge couple device (CCD) television camera, with greatly enhanced definition has been developed for the USAF’s AGM-130 guided standoff powered bomb.

The new CCD seeker greatly improves target imagery, giving weapon systems operators on F-15Es and F-111s more time to identify targets earlier, negating the need for violent manoeuvring towards the end of the weapon’s flight.

The AGM-130 is a powered version of the GBU-15, as used operationally in the Gulf War and carried by RAAF F-111s. As such the new weapon is of great interest to the RAAF, given that it allows precision stand-off attacks from 10 to 35nm (18 to 56km).

The AGM-130 is expected to enter full scale production in late 1994, and will be carried by USAF’s F-111s and F-15Es.

Italy to Lease Fighters?:

Faced with continuing delays in the in service date of the Eurofighter 2000 the Italian air force is considering leasing USAF F-15s or F-16s as a stopgap measure.

Italy currently operates a fleet of 142 F-1048 Starfighters as its main frontline fighter, an aircraft which, despite continuing updating, is considered obsolete. Faced with the prospect of upgrading the Starfighters, including replacing the wings and new avionics for little real improvement in capability, a recent US offer to lease 70 fighters over a ten year period is gaining favour. A decision was imminent at the time of writing.

While not quite in the same position, the other Eurofighter nations are also being forced to soldier on with ageing equipment until the Eurofighter 2000 enters service. Germany operates both F-4FICE Phantoms with APG-65radar and a handful of MiG-29s, Spain, a collection of F/A-18A/Bs, Mirage III and F. Is and Northrop F-5s, while the UK operates Tomado F. 3 ADVs and Jaguars.

 New Flanker in Production:

A Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker based family of attack aircraft is due to enter Russian Air Force service shortly, despite critical shortages of military funding.

The new Flanker derivative, the two seat side by side Su-271B, which sports a characteristic duckbill nose and has been previ- ously referred to as the Platypus, is to replace MiG-27 Flogger and Su-22 Fitters and some Su-24 Fencers. According to a report in Jane’s Defence Weekly, production is currently underway and the company has also been tasked with designing a replacement for Tupolev Tu-22 Backfire and Tu-16 Badger bombers although because of the political sensitivity of new offensive weapons programmes details are limited.

With Su-27IB production underway, four new Flanker variants are now in production, on order or on offer, the others being the naval Su-33 (Su-27K), the improved Su- 35 fighter, and the Su-30MK two seat (tandem) fighter with enhanced air-to-ground capabilities which made its debut at Paris.

 Ground Attack Forf-22:

The US Air Force has asked Lockheed to integrate a limited air-to-ground capability into the F-22.

The F-22, designed to replace the F-15 as the USAF’s premier air superiority fighter will now incorporate a small number of changes to allow it to carry some air-to-ground munitions. Included in this will be the carriage of two new AGM-137 Tri-Serv- ice Standoff Attack Missiles (TSSAM) on two external wing stations. Additionally, two of the four internal AIM-120 positions will be modified to accept the 1000lb (454kg) Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) weapon.

The carriage of two JDAMs has created the need for the strengthening of some areas, adding to the structural weight slightly. Mounting JDAMS in all four AIM-120s positions would have involved major changes. A chin mounted infrared search and track system would also be incorporated.

The modifications will be incorporated into all production F-22s.

Low Risk Hornet:

In designing the F/A-18E Hornet, McDonnell Douglas and Northrop have adopted a low risk approach that allows the aircraft to take advantage of evolutionary technology during its operational lifetime.

The bigger and better Hornet is seen by many as an affordable and low risk programme based on a proven design, providing the US Navy with a dynamic platform that can be adjusted to meet future threats. In designing the F/A-18E (and two seat F) MDC has built in allowances, particularly in the area of weight so as to meet future Navy requirements. Built into the aircraft will be empty avionics bays which will enable the aircraft to accept new avionics during the course of its lifetime. Avionics due to be fitted to the F/A-18E will be 90% common with the C/D, emphasising both the low risk approach, and need to keep costs down.

Design features of the F/A-18E Hornet include a 25% increase in weight over the current F/A-18C/D. Specific features include a lengthened fuselage to accommodate extra fuel, a new, larger wing with two additional external stores stations, horizontal and vertical tails increased in area, larger leading edge extensions, new and simplified landing gear and trapezoidal-shaped engine inlets. Powering the aircraft will be two GE F414s of 22,000lb thrust.

As many as 1000 F/A-18E/Fs may be procured by the USN. First flight is currently due to occur in December 1995.

ASTA to Maintain Squirrels:

Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA) has been selected to provide maintenance support services to the Australian Defence Force Helicopter School’s fleet of AS350B helicopters.

As part of the Dept of Defence’s Commercial Support Programme (CSP), it is expected that contracting out the maintenance will cut current costs by 14%, saving $2. 5m over the three year life of the contract. The Fairbairn contract involves the ADF’s 18 Squirrel helicopters, ASTA already provides maintenance services for the Army’s Black Hawk helicopters in Townsville • IDF FIGHTER SELECTION DATE SET: The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) is expected to announce the winner of its fighter contest between the Lockheed F-16 and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 in October. The order for 50 multirole fighters is expected to be hotly contested, given the pau-city of sales in recent years. Both contenders have recently been evaluated in country by IDF pilots, with Israel already operating F-16As. McDonnell Douglas is advantaged by the IDF’s requirement for enhanced night attack capabilities, having offered the two seat F/A-18D. The Dis operatedbythe USMC in the night attack role, with a dedicated weapon systems operator in the rear seat with the control column removed and forward looking infrared (FLIR) and laser target designator ranger (LTDR) fitted in the Sparrow AAM fuselage wells (refer p24 March 90 AA). Formal contract signing is due to take place early next year.