Newsdesk – Military Aviation

Israel Aircraft Industries’ Lahav division successfully flew its upgraded Mikoyan MiG-21bis, the MiG-21 2000, on May 24. The modernised MiG features an IAI developed glass cockpit, new avionics, navigation system, flight and mission management systems, and greater aircraft armament options. The flight was the first for a westernised and upgraded MiG anywhere in the world. IAI is already contracted to upgrade MiG-21s for Romania, and sees the market for this kind of upgrade work, particularly from Eastern Europe, as quite large.

New French/British Strike Aircraft

A Memorandum of Understanding is being negotiated between Britain and France with a view to developing a new strike aircraft to replace the RAF’s Tornado GR.4 and the Armee de l’Air’s Mirage 2000Ds late next decade. The fact that the project is under discussion at all is seen as an indication that the RAF has doubts about the USA’s Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) programme fully meeting its needs for a Tornado GR.4 replacement. The short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) JAST version is also regarded as being a possible successor for the Royal Navy’s fleet of Sea Harriers and Britain is officially involved in the project through British Aerospace. The main doubt centres around whether or not the single engined JAST’s payload-range performance will meet the standard required by the RAF. It has also been suggested that Germany could join the UK and France on the programme through Daimler Benz Aerospace.

Peace Celebrations in Townsville

Aviators from all over Australia are invited to take part in one of the biggest national commemorative events to mark the 50th anniversary of VP day and the end of WWII. VP50, a ten day festival to be staged in Townsville between August 11 and 20 this year, is intended to commemorate and celebrate the victory over Japan, and promises to be an aviation enthusiast’s delight. A major part of the festival will be the VP50 Aviator’s Fly In (August 17-20) at which a Mustang, Boomerang, Spitfire and RAAF Dakota have already been booked to appear, according to organisers. Other activities at VP50 include the Townsville Sky Show, WWII quiz dinner, RAAF Open Day, aviators’ ball, 5th Air Force freedom of the city and various other appropriate social and commemorative functions. Call (077) 72 4540 for details.

Sydney Bans RAAF 707s

The RAAF’s fleet of five Boeing 707 transport/tankers will be banned from operating from Sydney Airport after July 1 this year due to their noise. The aircraft don’t meet international Stage 3 noise requirements or the newly instigated standards imposed on jet operations from Sydney Airport. We are therefore left with the unusual situation where aircraft of our own air force cannot operate from the country’s leading airport. There have been various proposals to replace the 707s in the VIP transport role in recent times including purchasing two new or used 757s (rejected on the grounds of cost) and acquiring Qantas’ two Boeing 747SPs, which do meet Stage 3 noise requirements. Despite the SPs’ low purchase price (Avmark values them at around $15m each) this idea was also rejected because of perceived high maintenance and running costs. Whilst they could also be converted as tankers this would also require at least an additional $50m funding from Defence at a time when such funds are not available. It now appears the 707s will be hushkitted (although only to Stage 2) which will enable them to operate from most of the world’s major airports but not, apparently, from Sydney with its tougher, politically motivated new rules.

Lockheed/Boeing Suspend JAST Talks

The Lockheed Martin and Boeing companies have for the moment ended talks over joining forces on the US Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) air superiority/ground attack aircraft programme. The companies initially got together when it became clear that the JAST project was going to incorporate the advanced short takeoff and vertical landing (ASTOVL) programme which had attracted four competing teams – McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin and Boeing have decided to suspend their joint development plans at least until the formal competition for the JAST programme takes place and contracts are awarded, at the moment scheduled for mid-1996. Observers have suggested that the question of programme leadership has caused the suspension of talks, with neither company wanting to relinquish its own design philosophies for the JAST aircraft.

China Finances Israeli Missile

The development of a new Israeli air launched cruise missile is being financed by China, the intended customer for the weapon. The missile is based on the Delilah long range decoy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with which it shares the same basic airframe design although it will be larger. The missile will have a range of over 220nm (400km). It is being developed by TAAS (formerly Israel Military Industries) and will provide China with a long range precision strike capability for aircraft such as the Xi’an H-6 bomber and Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker fighter. China and Israel are already collaborating on the development of a new generation fighter using the cancelled IAI Lavi as its basis.

HDH Teams With IPTN

Hawker de Havilland and Indonesia’s IPTN will work together in offering the CN-235-330 twin turboprop aircraft to the RAAF to meet its Project Air 5190 requirement for a Caribou replacement. HDH’s exclusive role in the agreement includes participation in the design of the aircraft configuration, final assembly, and integrated logistics support including management of a drawing deck, configuration management, spares support and on call technical support. Non exclusive roles include repair and overhaul of engines, electrical and mechanical systems, wheels and brakes, provision of initial contractor maintenance support, provision of deeper maintenance capabilities, and manufacture of aircraft structural components. The CN-235 is competing principally with the Aeritalia G.222 for the RAAF Caribou replacement order. The CN-235 is also being offered separately by CASA.

China to Build Flankers

China and Russia have reached an agreement in principle which will eventually see the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker fighter manufactured under licence in China. China originally ordered 26 Russian built Flankers in 1991 and this has been followed by an order for a further 24 aircraft with deliveries expected to begin this year. The licence production agreement is covered by a letter of intent at the moment and the arrangements should be finalised once delivery of the second batch is completed in late 1996.

Kaman Electromagnetic has built a full scale development version of its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for demonstration to the US Navy. EMALS, whose development is being funded by the US Navy, is designed as a replacement for conventional steam catapults on aircraft carriers. EMALS will be 204 tonnes lighter than a steam catapult, yet will generate up to 28% more thrust, allowing the launch of aircraft weighing up to 54,000kg (100,000lb). EMALS’ use of linear motor technology also provides greater accelerative launch control and could increase airframe life by as much as 30%.

Chinese production will be conducted in two stages, early aircraft being assembled from kits followed by full Chinese manufacture. China wants to eventually build 90 to 100 Flankers each year but analysts suggest this is optimistic and look to a production rate of about half that. The initial rate will be about 10 to 20 aircraft annually. The Chinese Su-27 production programme is likely to be based at the Shenyang Aircraft Factory which has a workforce of 20,000.

F-15 Recce Capability Demonstrated

McDonnell Douglas has demonstrated the tactical reconnaissance capability of the F-15 Eagle during a flight in which a variety of high resolution tactical images were obtained using an Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (ATARS). The F-15D used in the 1.6 hour demonstration flight carried the conformal reconnaissance pod on the centreline with no effect on aircraft handling or performance. The 7m (23ft) long pod has a volume of 2.1m3 (75cu ft) and is capable of carrying a complete ATARS sensor suite. Loral Fairchild Systems, the ATARS supplier, provided a medium altitude electro-optical subsystem, a digital tape recorder and a reconnaissance management system for the demonstration flight. The ATARS equipment was integrated with the aircraft’s avionics to provide the pilot with a video display of the images being recorded and the capability to play back previously recorded imagery. McDonnell Douglas is keen to offer a reconnaissance version of the F-15 to the USAF to replace its fleet of ageing RF-4C Phantoms.

Italy Reconsiders FLA

The Italian Air Force is considering following the RAF’s example and ordering a mix of C-130J Hercules and European FLA aircraft instead of just the latter to meet its future transport needs. Italy has indicated a need for 60 FLAs but budgetary and timescale constraints could see a mixed fleet adopted instead, possibly comprising 20 C-130Js and 30 FLAs. Delivery of C-130Js could begin as soon as next year or early 1997 while the FLA is most definitely a “next century” project. Italy is also considering a minor upgrade of its 12 existing C-130Hs while the twin turboprop Alenia G.222 (of which it operates 37) would be retired. Italy’s position further compromises the future of the FLA which has already suffered by the RAF’s mixed fleet decision. Even so, Britain’s purchase of the aircraft is subject to several conditions and is not necessarily set in concrete.

Fulcrum Comes Back

The MiG-29 Fulcrum has been subject to a notable change of attitude by the Russian government, which has agreed to fund development of the advanced MiG-29M version of the fighter. The project ground to a halt three years ago when funding was withdrawn and that situation (in combination with a lack of funding for the 1.42 next generation air superiority fighter project) had left the Mikoyan design bureau’s future in doubt. The MiG-29M features pulse doppler multimode radar, an infrared/TV/laser sighting system and the ability to carry various air-to-surface guided weapons. The new arrangement will cover the whole MiG-29M development programme including flight testing and the launch of series production. Basic model MiG-29 production has continued at a modest pace to fill export orders with 60 aircraft built over the last two years for Malaysia, Hungary, India, Iran, Romania and Slovakia.

The 1.42 project continues to be seriously hampered by a lack of money, with the first prototype still to fly some months after taxying trials were completed. The aircraft is reported to be sitting in a hangar at the Zhukovsky flight test research centre. The MiG-AT jet trainer is another important Mikoyan project and the maiden flight of the prototype would be regarded as imminent under normal circumstances as it was rolled out on May 18 this year.

Support the Fighting Spirit

One of the good things about being an Aussie is seeing how real Australians develop a positive, fighting spirit when things aren’t going as well as they could be. The aptly named township of Hopetoun, a small (population 900) agricultural community south of Mildura in Victoria, is a good example. Hopetoun has been hard hit by the drought and the recession we had to have but in an attempt to raise flagging spirits the town has got together with local community service, sporting and school groups to organise Hopetoun Air Sports ’95, a community event which will be held over nine days between November 4 and 12 this year. Activities include a careers day for schools and a full range of aviation displays both on the ground and in the air. Air display participants include skydivers, the RAAF Roulettes, the Sky Dancers aerobatic team, warbirds, Chris Sperou, antique aircraft, gliders, hot air balloons, joyflights and much more. Sponsors and participants are still being sought, so for details contact Doug Hallam or Allison Hudson on (050) 83 3397.

Did We Miss Something?

According to a recent newspaper report, a big recruitment drive for air surveillance personnel will begin “once the ADF [Australian Defence Force] acquires its new squadron of Airborne Warning and Control (AWAC) 747 aircraft”. Could this news of a squadron of Boeing 747 AWACS aircraft for the RAAF be a major scoop that everyone else has missed?

Vietnam Buys Flankers

The Vietnam People’s Army/Air Force has ordered six Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker fighters from Russia of which the first two are believed to have been delivered. The Flankers have been purchased to help modernise Vietnam’s largely ageing air force, the combat elements of which comprise mainly MiG-17, MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters plus Sukhoi Su-22 attack aircraft. Most of these aircraft are more than 25 years old. The MiG-21s are currently subject to upgrade discussions with Israel, although no contract has yet been signed.

Barra Sonobuoy Contract

The RAAF has signed a $49m contract with GEC-Marconi Systems to develop and supply new and upgraded Barra sonobuoys.