Newsdesk – Military Aviation

F-15 Engine Troubles:

TheUSAF is experiencing serviceabilityproblems with some of its F-15Efighter bombers due to problems withtheir Pratt & Whitney FlO0-PW-229 engines. Inflight failures have resulted in 23 of the 40 engines installed in Alaskan based F-15Es being removed, while some 75 F-15Es based in the UK and at Nellis AFB, Nevada, will also be affected by the problem. The cause of the failures and removals is thought to be a continuation of fourth stage turbine blade cracking problems which first appeared on the 229 about a year ago. These resulted inincreased inspections and replacement of blades, but further failures in apparently healthy blades led to an interim fix (incorporating a redesigned shroud to help reduce vibration, the root cause of the problem) being applied to F-16C/Ds powered by the same engine. The longer term fix involves developing a more robust blade and disc assembly in which the blade root and disc are widened.

Hornet Found:

The wreckageof an RAAF F/A-18 Hornet which disappeared without trace over the Gulf ofCarpenteria in June 1991 was found inrugged country on Cape York Peninsulain mid July this year by a stockman. The remains of A21-41 were found in a three metre deep crater near Bromley Downs Station about 100km northeast of Weipa. The 75 Squadron aircraft from Tindal NT was last seen flying straight and level with the pilot apparently incapacitated in the cockpit. The RAAF believes the pilot (Flg Off Cameron Conroy) went down with his aircraft as a life jacket and pilot’s glove were found near the wreckage. An extensive search at the time failed to locate the aircraft, which was not equipped with an emergency locator beacon though these have since been retrofitted to ADF aircraft.

Usaf F-111s Withdrawal:

TheUSAF is considering withdrawing itsAA Comment: If this comes to pass it will be very bad news for Australia as we have taken a firm decision to maintain our F-111 strike force till at least 2010 and possibly beyond. The C aircraft had Pave Tack installed through the late eighties and are now launching into an extensive $500m+ avionics upgrade that will make them the best in the world. The recent addition of 15 ex USAF digital F-lllGs also was made on the assumption that the 111 would remain in RAAF service for at least another fifteen to twenty years. If the entire remaining USAF F-111 force is disbanded in 1996 • then it would be only a matter of time before many key parts would become too expensive to source, assuming they were available in the first place. Australia would most probably have to take over a large number of mothballed aircraft for use as a source of spares, a move that would probably see us through till 2010 though beyond that would be anyone’s guess.

Usaf Close Air Supportmoves:

The USAF has resurrected apreviously deferred plan to modify 600Fairchild A-lOs and Lockheed F-16s forthe close air support (CAS) role. Four RMF C-130H Hercules have been successfully modified with an Electronic Warfare Self Protection (EWSP) suite. The suite comprises a radar warning receiver (RWR), missile approach warning system (MAWS) and a countermeasures dispensing system (CMOS) which ejects chaff and flares (pictured) to disrupt radar and heat seeking missile guidance systems. The four Heres now also have a degree of crew protection against small arms fire with the fitment of kevlar/ceramic composite panels to crew areas. Lockheed Aircraft Systems Ontario performed the modification work at its east Los Angeles plant under the direction of the USAF. The $15.7m modification programme will give the Hercules a higher degree of protection while operating in potential combat zones such as those likely to be encountered on United Nations peacekeeping operations. The C- 130H EWSP fitment is the first stage of an ADF programme which is looking at fitting self defence protection systems to most ADF transport aircraft. Similar systems were temporarily installed on six Army Black Hawk helicopters deployed to Cambodia last year, while other candidates for fitment of an EWSP suite include the 707, Chinook and Caribou replacement. The ADF regards EWSP with increasing importance as the cost of fitting such measures pales in comparison to the cost of losing just one aircraft, its crew and cargo, plus the cost of increased workload across the transport fleet to cover the reduction in size due to combat losses. (LAC Peter Treasure of Edinburgh based 92 Wing is responsible for this amazing photo.) If the plan proceeds, 200 A-lOs will be slightly modified for “low intensity” CAS missions by the provision of night vision goggles and compatible cockpit lighting. Four hundred F-16s will be more heavily modified, half of them for day CAS missions and the remainder for night sorties. Day CAS F-16s will receive VHF anti-jam radios, an improved data modem, a laser spot tracker and possibly a missile approach warning system. Night CAS F-16s will be similarly modified with the addition of a LANTIRN night navigation and targeting pod system. When first mooted, the plan was deferred when funding was withheld pending US Department of Defense confirmation of the USAF’s approach to performing CAS missions in support of the Army.

Naval Flanker Close Toservice:

Acceptance trials by theRussian Navy of the Sukhoi Su-27K carrier borne version of the Flanker arenearing completion and the fightershould enter service later this year. The Su-27K (which is expected to be designated Su-33 in service) will be deployed aboard the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov as part of a full air group comprising Su-33s, Su-25UTG Frogfoots and Kamov Ka-27 Helix helicopters. Four Su-27Ks have been conducting the acceptance trials aboard the carrier in the Barents Sea and a further 48 are reported to be ready for operational duties.

U Ae Considering Tornado:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) isconsidering buying or leasing 12Panavia Tornado IDS aircraft to supplement its fleet of 35 Dassault Mirage 2000s. If negotiations between the UAE and the UK Ministry of Defense are completed, it’s believed the aircraft will be drawn from RAF Tornado GR.1 stocks now in storage. Other manufacturers have been offering their aircraft to the UAE to fill its need for increased strike capability, Dassault with an upgrading of the Mirages, Sukhoi the Su-27 Flanker, McDonnell Douglas the F/A-18 and F-15 and Lockheed the F-16. Italy has already struck a deal with Britain to lease 24 Tornado F.3 fighters as a stopgap until the Eurofighter 2000 is delivered.

Rockwell To Develop Raafe W&C Concept:

Rockwell Systems Australia (RSA) has been con tracted by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to develop and supply a mission model for the proposed Australian Defence Force (ADF) Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) project. DSTO is assisting the ADF in analysing a range of representative scenarios and defining the concept of operations for the proposed AEW&C system. The model will be used by the Department of Defence to analyse potential missions and roles for the system and to evaluate candidate aircraft and radar systems. The AEW&C mission model will be developed from existing Rockwell maritime patrol aircraft simulation software which is used to assist in analysing the operations of the RAAF P-3C Orion and other aircraft. An indepth update of the latest trends in AEW &C will appear later this year via our regular Technology Explained series.

New Mig On Way:

At one stagethought to be a dead project due to alack of funding, MiG’s new generation1-42 Multirole Fighter Interceptor(MFI) should be flying later this year. In a similar class to the Lockheed F-22, work on the MFI is proceeding slowly due to meagre funding, but despite this it appears the project will proceed. It is believed that two prototypes have been built and some suggest they have already been flown.

Helo Ships Inbound:

Australia’stwo ‘new’ helicopter landing supportships have at last been cleared for delivery by the US Government and thefirst is now expected in Australian waters during the life of this issue. HMAS Manoora, ex USS Fairfax County, is now scheduled to arrive in Sydney by late September while its sister ship, HMAS Kanimbla, ex USS Saginaw, is due in November. Both ships will then undergo an extensive refit and conversion to ADF requirements at ADI’s Garden Island facility before entering operational RAN service in 1995.

Orion Surveillan Ce Upgrade:

The RAAF’s 19 P-3C Orionaircraft are to be fitted with new electronic surveillance equipment as part of the ongoing programme to upgrade Australia’s maritime patrol capability. The new Electronic Support Measures (ESM) equipment will be supplied by AWA Defence Industries as prime contractor, supported by ELTA Electronics, a division of Israel Aircraft Industries. ELTA developed the basic system and Hawker de Havilland Victoria is responsible for the necessary structural modifications of the Orions. The new equipment is used to locate and track electronic transmissions, particularly from search and weapon control radars. The first modified Orion was handed over to the RAAF on July 22 this year. The contract is worth about $160m and also includes modifying the RAAF’s P-3C simulator and providing software support facilities plus automatic testing calibration equipment.

Northrop Grumman Acqidres Vought:

The rationalisationof the US aerospace industry continueswith news that Northrop Grumman(themselves amalgamated only a fewmonths ago) is to acquire a majority interest in the Vought Aircraft Company. Northrop Grumman already had a modest interest in Vought, but will now acquire the 51% shareholding owned by the Carlyle Group for $US130m. Once producing its own aircraft (notably the WW2 F4U Corsair and subsequently the F-8 Crusader and A-7 Corsair II naval jets), Vought these days is a major subcontractor on several aircraft including the Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and the Boeing 747, 757, and 767 airliners. All three companies have entries in the joint USAF/USN JPATS trainer competition (refer feature p66 this issue) but these will continue to be offered entirely separately. Another National Jet Systems hop _ es to bring at least two, or hopefully four, Canadair CL-215 firebombers to Australia over the coming summer for waterbombing tnals. The aircraft would be based at Nowra, and demonstrated to fire authorities in Victoria, NSW and South Australia between early D _ ecember and la _ te March. _ The deal however is largely dependant on funding from Federal and State Governments, as the cost of bringing one aircraft to Australia, operating, maintaining ,t and paying for crews would be approximately $1m. The CL-215s would be sourced from a Canadian operator via Canadair. Ultimately should the demonstrations prove successful, National Jet would like to see the permanent basing of the modern turboprop powered CL-415 in Australia, operated on contract to the Federal government, with the State governments in turn paying the Federal government on a user pays system. National Jet hoped to make an official announcement on the demonstration deployment during the life of this issue. 12 Australian Aviation September 1994recent example of US industry amalgamation was Lockheed’s taking over of General Dynamics’ Fort Worth division which includes the F-16 fighter.

Litany Of Errors In Black Hawk Shoot Down:

The official investigation into the shooting down of two US Army Black Hawk helicopters by USAF F-15 Eagles over Iraq last April was due to a series of errors by the F-15 pilots and the crew of the associated AWACS aircraft. Twenty six US, French, British, Turkish and Kurdish passengers were killed in the mishap in which “there were a shocking number of instances where individuals failed to do their jobs properly”. Among the findings: the Operation Provide Comfort taskforce failed to integrate the helicopters with fixed wing operations, so the F-15 pilots were not aware of the Black Hawks’ presence; the AWACS failed to monitor the Black Hawks’ flight and did not advise the F-15 pilots they were there; the AWACS failed to try and stop the engagement; the AWACS commander was not mission ready; the F-15 pilots wrongly identified the helicopters as Iraqi Mi-24 Hinds despite making a visual identification pass; and the UH-60s and F-15s were using different IFF frequencies. Operation Provide Comfort’s co-commander, Brig Gen Jeffery Pilkington has been relieved of his command after what has provided a sobering lesson for all.

Singapore Buys F-16s:

After alengthy evaluation and internal debateon the subject, Singapore has decidedto purchase 18 Lockheed F-16 fighterbombers worth $US890m. The F-16 was selected over the competing McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet mainly on the basis of cost and commonality, as the new aircraft will eventually replace Singapore’s existing fleet of seven F-16A/Bs which were purchased in the 1980s. The package is exAdvanced Aerodynamics and Structures Inc (AAS/) has been awarded US FAA FAR Part 23 certIflcatIon for its pusher turboprop powered Jetcruzer 450. In addition the Jetcruzer 450 has become the first aircraft in the world to be certificated as spin resistant. FAA and AAS/ pilots unsuccessfully attempted over 350 spin entries during the certification programme. The canard foreplane design has a stall speed of just 58kt (108kmh) and does not have flaps. AAS! claims the six seat Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 powered Jetcruzer 450 is “the lowest priced factory new propjet in the world.” FAA certification clears the way for Jetcruzer production, AAS! meanwhile holds firm orders for 53 aircraft. AAS! is also planning to develop a faster (310kt/ 575kmh cruise) version of the 450 powered by a more powerful PT6A-42, to be known as the Jetcruzer 500; and a stretched 13 seat commuter version known as the Jetcruzer 650. (AAS!) pected to include 50 AIM-7M Sparrow and 36 AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Nine of the new F-16s will be based in the USA for pilot continuation training. Another potential F-16 operator is Jordan, which has asked the US to supply it with the aircraft as a ‘reward’ for participating in the Middle East peace negotiations. Jordan is not an oil rich state, and previous attempts to obtain modern fighters to replace its existing Mirage Fls and Northrop F-5s havebeen thwarted by a lack of finance. If the US government approves supply of F-16s to Jordan, the aircraft will probably come from USAF stocks.

Baea Wlll Fix Jindmk:

British Aerospace Australia has secured a contract to operate the Jindivik unmanned target aircraft for the Royal Australian Navy. Seven Jindiviks are operated from the Jervis Bay Range Facility near Nowra in New South Wales. BAe Australia will assume full management responsibility for them this month. Australia’s most successful indigenous aircraft design returns to production next year following the recent receipt of an order for 18 examples from the British Ministry of Defence.

Indonesian Air Show:

Thenext once every ten years IndonesiaAir Show will be held at Jakarta’sSokarno-Hatta Airport over 11 daysfrom June 21 1996. The inaugural 1986 show attracted 240 international exhibitors and Indonesian industry took the opportunity to launch the CN-235 turboprop at the time. The 1996 show will see the launch of the new N-250 regional airliner. The planned extensive flying display will also include the International Aerobatic Festival featuring teams from 25 countries including Australia.