Commercial Aircraft Sales

The prototype of MiG’s next generation multirole fighter, the large (over 30,000kg max weight) delta/canard configured 1.42, has still not flown due to a cash crisis in the programme. High speed taxi trials were conducted late last year but little progress has been made since then due to a lack of funds. It is reported that the aircraft is not yet fitted with flight control actuators due to Mikoyan’s inability to pay for them. The lack of funding has raised concerns about Russia’s commitment to the project and it is known that its affordability is being questioned in many areas. Some in the Russian military hierarchy are championing the cause of a less expensive fifth generation fighter for the air force while others are saying that even if the 1.42 programme continues it should only be used as a technology demonstrator. The 1.42 was originally scheduled to fly in 1990 but was first delayed by problems with its Lyulka/Saturn AL-41F powerplants. Another new MiG project, the MiG-AT jet trainer, is also in trouble due to problems with actuators, although this time the cause is said to be technical rather than financial. The MiG-AT is also yet to fly.

Hose And Drogue Kc-135s

Some of the USAF’s fleet of Boeing KC-135 tankers are to be fitted with wing mounted hose and drogue refuelling pods, making them compatible with the US Navy system and that employed by several allied nations. The RAAF’s F/A-18 Hornets are equipped with the hose and drogue system, as are European and Russian military aircraft. The system was originally developed by UK company Flight Refuelling in the 1940s. The decision to equip some KC-135s with the hose and drogue results from experience in the Gulf War, where incompatibility with USN and other aircraft caused operational problems. KC-135s so converted will retain their current USAF flying boom refuelling equipment. Boeing has been awarded an initial $US24m engineering and manufacturing development contract which includes the purchase of two pods and pylons from Flight Refuelling. A further $US178m will be spent equipping 33 KC-135Rs with hose and drogue pods, while further extensions to the contract could see up to 96 aircraft modified.

F-16s For Poland?

The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter could soon be in service with Poland and other East European countries if current plans are realised. The US Government is considering a proposal to supply up to 30 ex USAF F-16A/Bs to Poland free of charge for a period of 18 months for training purposes. The idea of the ‘no cost lease’ is to allow Poland to avoid the initial investment required to put the F-16 into service, although any aircraft subsequently acquired would have to be paid for. If the plan comes to fruition, Poland could have F-16s in service by the end of 1996. The scheme also forms the basis of proposals to Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Portugal is also negotiating with Lockheed Martin over the acquisition of 20 second hand F-16A/Bs (due to budgetary considerations it wants the aircraft for free and only pay for an upgrade programme) while the Royal Jordanian Air Force is scheduled to receive sufficient ex USAF F-16s to equip a single squadron within the next year. Jordan also wants additional F-16s to supplement and partially replace its existing fighter force of Mirage F1s and Northrop F-5s. California plant and a further 1500 when production begins. First flight is scheduled for the second quarter of 1998. For more information refer to page 48 of this issue.

Mhi Shares In Dash 8-400

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is to become a major risk sharing partner in the de Havilland Dash 8-400 regional turboprop programme. The company will design and manufacture the aircraft’s wing to body fairing, vertical and horizontal tail surfaces and most of the fuselage. De Havilland will build the cockpit section and wing and will be responsible for final assembly at its Downsview, Ontario, factory. load only slightly greater than the current 747-400 but a longer range of over 8000nm (14,800km). Both will feature a new wing design. Current thinking revolves around launching the larger -600X first to satisfy market demands for more capacity and also to protect the -400’s market base. Modular manufacturing methods will allow the -400, -500 and -600 to be built on the same production line.

Indonesian Airline Chief Sacked Over Cn-235

Newspapers have reported that the head of state owned Indonesian airline Merpati Nusantara has been sacked because he refused to lease Indonesian built aircraft.