iscover
Gemini said Australia's Super Constellation should have made its first post-restoration flight by the time these words are read. This recent picture of the Connie shows it prior to the fitting of the wingtip tanks, but after removal of the white protective "Spray-lat" film from wing and tail leading edges and the nose. An update on the Constellation restoration programme appears in this month's Traffic column, which begins on page 62.
Newsdesk – Military Aviation
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New Hercs For Raaf:
TheRAAF will receive 12 new LockheedHercules transports later in the decade, as part of a defence capital expenditure programme announced inlate July. The Hercules will be the new generation C-130J model and will replace the C-130Es currently operated by 37 Squadron. These aircraft entered service in 1966 and will be more than 30 years old when the C-130Js are delivered, probably in 1998. A firm order has yet to be placed, but when it is the RAAF could be the launch customer for the C-130J. Australia was the firsf remaining fleet of 80 F-llls from service in 1996, three years earlier than planned. The move has been endorsed by the Air Force Secretary but has to be approved by the Defence Department. The F-llls were originally supposed to be retired in 1995 on the grounds of cost but this was extended to 1999, paid for by retiring some B-52s. export customer for the Hercules in the late 1950s. Lockheed is also trying to market the J at the same flyaway price as a new H model, which if possible should see the type’s future assured as the newer aircraft is around a third cheaper to operate than its predecessor. Other aviation matters covered by the programme include fitting the RAAF’s F-llls with upgraded self protection electronics, acquiring three mobile ground based air defence radars and redeveloping the Aeronautical and Marine Research Laboratory in Melbourne.
E-Systems Preferred Orioncontractor:
The Federal Government has announced that E-Systems is the preferred tenderer for theRAAF P-3C Orion update contract. Aformal contract is expected to besigned in December this year. The Orion project is due to be completed by the end of the decade and involves replacing the radar, acoustic processing, computer, navigation and communications systems as well as providing a range of ground systems to support the aircraft. The programme is valued at over $1bn and will see the Orlons’ operational life extended to beyond 2015. E-Systems has teamed up with ASTA, AWA Defence Industries and Honeywell Australia for the project. The other two shortlisted consortia were led by Martin Marietta and Rockwell.
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