iscover
McDonnell Douglas has been testing scale models of its as yet unlaunched MD-95 100 seat airliner, looking in particular at the engine installation for the new BMW Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofans. Two models have been tested, a 9% scale model in a low speed wind tunnel (pictured), and a 6% scale model in a high speed tunnel. Characteristics studied include high speed drag, stability and control, inlet distortion and aerodynamic loads. Two further tests are planned for MD-95 configuration evaluation. (MDC)
Newsdesk – Military Aviation
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F-117 Offered for Jast
Lockheed has offered a navalised deep strike variant of its F-117 stealth fighter for the USAF/USN/USMC Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme. Under the designation NF-117X, the new variant features afterburning GE F414 engines and an air-to-air radar. If built, the aircraft would be capable of carrying up to 4500kg (10,000lb) of ordnance in a deepened weapons bay plus 3600kg (7900lb) in a less stealthy role on four external stations. This would also allow the use of external drop tanks which would be jettisoned prior to reaching the threat area, thereby greatly increasing the aircraft’s endurance. It would have a combat radius of 700nm (1300km) armed with two 2000lb (900kg) GBU-27 bombs or four Amraam air-to-air missiles. A draft mission statement for the JAST aircraft is due to be released this month, and if the specifications call for a lightweight low end aircraft, Lockheed thinks it has a chance with the A/F-117X. The company says that it can build 255 A/F-117Xs at a cost of $US70m each.
No More B-2s Needed
In what must be a disappointing report for the USAF and Northrop Grumman, a new Pentagon study has determined that the US does not need any additional B-2 “stealth” bombers beyond the 20 already ordered. According to Reuters, the report says that additional stocks of modern guided weapons and further upgrades for the Rockwell B-1 and Boeing B-52 bombers are adequate to meet the Pentagon’s plan to fight and win two simultaneous major regional wars. Northrop Grumman and some members of the US Government have been lobbying for more B-2s to be ordered but many see the aircraft – each of which costs $US2bn – as an unnecessary expense at a time of deep budget cuts.
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