Newsdesk Military Aviation

Civil And Military To Share Radar

The Department of Defence and AirServices Australia (ASA) are to share radar data to provide a more cost-effective and efficient air traffic control service throughout Australia. The sharing agreement will allow the Defence Force and ASA to better utilise air traffic control assets and with new equipment coming on line, both will benefit. There is already some cross-usage of radar: The ASA receives data from radar at RAAF bases East Sale and Tindal plus the Army’s Oakey facility, while the RAAF uses data from Kalamunda and Perth airports. RAAF Darwin is due to come on line as this issue goes to press.

Fla Is Now An Airbus Programme

Following the satisfactory completion of a feasibility study into the European Future Large Aircraft (FLA) military transport, the programme’s management has been transferred into an organisation under the control of Airbus Industrie. Each of Airbus’ industrial members — Aerospatiale of France, BAe of the UK, CASA of Spain and DASA of Germany, plus Italy’s Alenia — have signed an agreement which will lead to the formal establishment of an Airbus military aircraft company prior to the FLA pre-development phase which is due to start next year. The company previously running the project, Euroflag, will now be dissolved. The new Airbus military aircraft company will undertake the design, manufacture and marketing of the Lockheed Martin is holding talks with Yakovlev over access to the Russian designer’s technology and database on STOVL aircraft. Pending US DoD approval, Lockheed Martin hopes to sign an agreement with Yakovlev to gain access to technology for its ASTOVL JAST contender. Yakovlev’s cancelled Yak-141 ‘Freestyle’ STOVL fighter is similar in arrangement to Lockheed Martin’s Proposal, with an auxiliary lift engine and vectored thrust from the main engine. Lockheed Martin is blocked to gaining access to British Aerospace STOVL technology as BAe has signed a commercial agreement with McDonnell Douglas, who is developing its own ASTOVL JAST contender. FLA, which according to the feasibility study can fully meet European requirements for a tactical transport of the future. The pre-development phase will run from 1996 to 1998, followed by the launch of full-scale development and production leading to the delivery of the first aircraft in late 2003. This, incidentally, is no less than 21 years after the first study group was set up with a view to developing a European replacement for the C-130 Hercules and Transall C.160 and many years after the promising Shorts Belfast programme had been scrapped!

Bids In For New Raf Missile

The British Ministry of Defence has received tenders for an advanced air-launched anti-armour weapon system for the Royal Air Force. A new arrival at RAAF Edinburgh in late June was this ex-US Navy P-3B Orion. The aircraft will be used as a source of spares. The RAAF is due to take delivery of a further three ex-USN P-3Bs from September next year. These aircraft will be refurbished by the US Navy and have their maritime patrol gear removed prior to delivery and will be used for Orion aircrew flight training. RAF requirement SR(A) 1238 calls for a stand-off weapon capable of destroying armour in direct and indirect fire modes with multiple kills per pass. The Harrier GR.7 will be the main carrier of the missile but the Tornado GR.4 and Eurofighter 2000 may also be fitted with it. Bids are thought to have come from Hunting (SWAARM anti-armour dispenser system), Thomson-CSF/Thorn (a powered dispenser based on the MLRS anti-armour system), GEC-Marconi (Brimstone missile with a millimetre wave seeker), British Aerospace (an anti-armour version of its Typhoon air-to-air missile) and Texas Instruments (Joint Stand Off Weapon).

Joint Sino-Russian Fighter

Russia’s Mikoyan and China’s Chengdu Aircraft have joined forces to develop a new single-engined fighter intended as a replacement for the now cancelled Super-7 project. Called the FC-1, the new fighter has been under development since 1991 as a private venture by Chengdu, China National Aero-Technology Import and Export and Pakistan, the latter expected to be the first customer for the fighter which is intended principally for export. Mikoyan is providing design support and the aircraft resembles an earlier MiG project for a lightweight dogfighter. Powered by a single 18,300lb (80kN) thrust Klimov RD-93 turbofan (a development of the MiG-29’s RD-33), the FC-1 is scheduled to fly in 1997. Both single and two-seat versions will be offered. Mikoyan is meanwhile pressuring the Russian Government to allow it to lay its new generation 1.42 fighter at this month’s Moscow Air Show. The project’s future has been in doubt for some time due to budget problems and at the time of writing still had not flown, although high-speed taxi tests had been carried out. The 1.42 features canard foreplanes, a cranked delta wing, twin vertical tail surfaces and two engines. It is thought to be a very large aircraft in the 35-tonne (77,000lb) weight class, heavier than the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker.

Lockheed Wants To Export F-22s

Lockheed Martin has approached the US Government seeking approval to develop export versions of the F-22 air superiority fighter. The aircraft would be aimed mainly at existing McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle operators such as Israel, Saudi Arabia and Japan, while the UK is also reported to be keeping an eye on developments. The F-22 incorporates considerable ‘sensitive’ technology, but Lockheed Martin is hoping a ‘tailored’ (lower specification) version will be given export clearance.

A Model Idea

Apart from being a regular contributor to our Tales column, Tom Hamilton is also an excellent creator of models. In fact, Tom has more than 2000 aircraft models in his collection which is now so famous that it has featured on several lifestyle TV shows of late. Not only does Tom assemble models but he also manufactures specific RAAF aircraft that have previously been difficult to get in manufactured kit form. One of his latest efforts is a 1/48th Winjeel, built specially to commemorate the completion of RAAF Winjeel operations on June 30 this year. This fully assembled model is available from Tom for around $80 which quite frankly is about the best deal you are ever going to get. Tom also has available the full range of RAAF aircraft and can even tailor a livery to your specific requirements. So, if you’re interested give Tom a call on (045) 78 4982.

Raytheon Wins Jpats Contract

Raytheon has won the US Air Force and Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) competition. The RAAF is playing host at Williamtown to 20 USAF aircraft and 300 personnel for its Iron Fist air combat exercise this July. Iron Fist replaces the annual Darwin-based Pitch Black exercise this year, and involves Williamtown’s two F/A-18 squadrons, four RAAF F-111s, a RAAF 707 tanker, and USAF F-15s from Kadena Air Base, F-16s from Misawa Air Base in northern Japan, a KC-10 Extender and an E-3 AWACS. Aspects of Iron Fist will include opportunities to practice air combat tactics against each other and combined training exercises to enhance interoperability between the two air forces. With its Beech Mk.II turboprop trainer, a development of the Pilatus PC-9. The joint requirement is for up to 711 aircraft to replace Cessna T-87s and Beech T-34Cs with the USAF and USN receiving their first examples in 1999 and 2002, respectively. Final delivery is scheduled for 2017, the programme having been stretched from 12 to 20 years to cut short-term expenses. The Beech Mk.II differs from the original Pilatus PC-9 in having a more powerful flat-rated 1250shp (930kW) P&WC PT6A-68 engine, zero-zero ejection seats, glass cockpit, birdstrike proof canopy and single point refuelling. The airframes will be built at Raytheon’s Wichita plant in Kansas. The programme is scheduled to gain Defence Acquisition Board approval this month, but the expected protests from losing competitors could delay it until later this year.

Japan Wants Harriers

The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) has expressed an interest in acquiring Harrier vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft for offshore navy support and training. The two-seat Harrier T.10 is reported to be the variant wanted, between three and five aircraft being required. They would be operated unarmed to supplement the JMSDF’s existing fleet of shore-based Learjet U-36 fleet support aircraft. If purchased, the Harriers would probably operate from a 5000-tonne auxiliary aviation support ship now being built.

Argentina Wants Uk Hercs

Argentina is to approach the United Kingdom with a view to acquiring ex-RAF C-130K Hercules transports when they become available, according to Jane’s Defence Weekly. Although the Argentine Minister of Defence says talks have already been held, the UK MoD has strongly denied the claim. Argentina has been subject to a UK and other nations’ arms embargo since the 1982 Falklands War and desperately needs new military equipment. The USA ended its embargo last year when it sold Argentina 34 ex-US Navy A-4M Skyhawk attack aircraft and although Britain has resumed diplomatic relations with Argentina, the arms embargo remains in place. The British Foreign Office is in favour of dropping the embargo but the Ministry of Defence is not. Britain has ordered 25 new-generation C-130J Hercules for the RAF and a similar number of elderly C-130Ks are being ‘traded in’ to Lockheed Martin as part of the deal. The manufacturer is responsible for their resale and has recently established strong military support links with Argentina.

French Defence Sales Excluded

The Australian Government has ruled out the possibility of almost $1bn worth of defence contracts being awarded to French companies in the wake of the French Government’s decision to resume nuclear testing in the South Pacific. Federal Trade Minister Senator Bob McMullin has indicated that there is “very little” chance that French companies would be awarded upcoming defence contracts. Largest of the projects that a French company is bidding for is the RAAF’s lead-in fighter programme, for which Dassault is offering the Alpha Jet ATS; and the Navy’s Anzac frigate helicopter order, for which Eurocopter is bidding the Panther (a militarised Dauphin). Another the first Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules is nearing completion, and is pictured here in final assembly. Currently five C-130Js are in various stages of construction, three of which are in final assembly. The first C-130J is the first of 25 C-130J-30 Hercules on order for the RAF, while the second C-130J under construction is bound for the USAF. First C-130J deliveries will take place by the end of next year. Bid expected to be affected is the C-130J and 707 simulators for the RAAF. A ban on French military purchases is considered as one of the few means the Government has to genuinely hurt France. The Australian moves follows the New Zealand Government’s decision to ban French military sales and freeze all but humanitarian military ties with France. The largest programme affected by the NZ decision is Eurocopter’s bid to supply Panthers to the RNZN. Refer New Zealand news on p75 for more details.

Legends In Their Time

There are aircraft that make history and those which are indeed famous due to the historic times in which they fly. These aircraft are rightly remembered as legends. It comes as no surprise then that we decided back in 1992 to name our latest series of books Legends Of The Air. The first book in our all-new Legends series is on sale now and documents the history of three of the most important and famous jet fighters of the fifties. The North American F-86 Sabre, the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15 and Britain’s excellent Hawker Hunter. Three aircraft from design teams and aircraft manufacturers of impeccable heritage. Three aircraft that were to dictate the future of fast jet operations long after their active careers closed. Indeed, three aircraft that almost half a century after their conception remain in active service in various far-flung corners of the world. Legends Of The Air, Volume 1, deals with these exciting aircraft in the thorough style expected of author Stewart Wilson. He has unearthed quite a lot of new and previously little known information on three famous aircraft types that you have probably wanted to know more about. The Sabre, MiG-15 & Hunter is on sale at most major newsagencies or is available by mail from Australian Aviation, please refer to our advert on page 37 of this issue for full details. The second Volume in the Legends series will be out this October and will cover the three famous heavy bombers of WW2 — The B-17, B-29 and Lancaster. As in our popular Australian Airpower series, these high quality yet low cost books will be released every six months and will also cover a number of civil types such as the Constellation, Viscount, Douglas DC series, Concorde, 707 and Comet. Begin your collection with Volume 1, on sale now, you won’t regret it!

Usaf Wants Laser Weapon Funding

The US Air Force is seeking $US750m funding in its 1997 budget to fully fund the first demonstrator aircraft with an airborne laser (ABL) anti-ballistic missile weapon installed. The USAF wants to have a fully deployable Boeing 747 demonstrator in the air by 2002. The ABL will have a multi-megawatt Chemical Oxygen a specially modified NASA SR-71 Blackbird will be used for two-month flight trials of the linear aerospike rocket engine Lockheed Martin will use for its reusable launch vehicle (RLV) concept for the company’s entry in NASA’s X-33 design competition. In this artist’s rendering, orange exhaust is seen exiting the white test vehicle. The triangular shape on the SR-71 represents an RLV cut in half and then mounted on its side. The tests will begin in April 1996. Iodine Laser (COIL) with short wavelengths and long ranges and an onboard passive infrared sensor with a 360-degree sweep which will be capable of autonomous detection, acquisition and targeting without external support. The key to the ABL programme is that it will attack ballistic missiles while they are in boost phase — close to their launching place — rather than in ballistic phase where they are well on their way to (or even over) their target. This is regarded as important because there are growing concerns that certain ‘rogue’ nations are developing warheads which can split into several guided submunitions carriers, possibly carrying biological and chemical payloads.